OF  THE 

U N I VE.RS  ITY 
Of  I LLl N O I S 

q977.381 
H62 
cop  .2 


■ „ .hViU  material  is  re- 
The  person  charging 
sponsible  for  its 

Latest  Date  stampe  ^ books 

Theft.  t"«»''“’;°"disciSlinary  action  end  may 
o,e  reasons  for  University. 

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university  oi 


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Digitized  by  the  Internet  Archive 
in  2016 


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4 


I /^J:>  3 R.  ESTERQUEST 


PREFACE, 


977.5E 
M G 


cxip,  "Z. 


E are  pleased  to  make  acknozoledgmcnt  to  those 
zvho  have  so  generously  assisted  zts,  in  various 
zaays,  in  our  cjforts  to  collect  reliable  data  for 
the  compilation  of  this  history.  Eispccially  are  zi>e  in- 
debted to  the  late  Dr.  Calvin  Goudy  for  valuable  manu- 
scripts of  the  early  settlements,  incidents  and  history 
of  this  county,  purchased  by  us  from  his  zvidozo,  Mrs. 
Goudy.  In  matiy  places,  zoe  have  used  his  language ; 
and  in  others,  added  much  to  the  original  copy.  U e 
zoould  also  tender  thanks  for  the  valuable  assistance  ren- 
dered by  fudge  //.  M.  J hndeveer,  Alexander  Mathezvs, 
Elder  A.  D.  Northcott,  fudge  IVm.  S.  Erink,  lion. 
Andrew  Simpson,  Hon.  fohn  B.  Ricks,  Hon.  JV.  IJ\ 
Anderson,  Dr.  II.  C.  Chapman,  f E Sozitlrwick, 
foseph  A.  Whitecraft,  Capt.  fessc  Ilanon,  f.  C. 
]V hi  tec  raft,  Lcason  Adams,  llln.  E Gore,  Col.  f.  A. 
Hayzvard,  f.  C.  McQuigg,  II.  N.  Schuyler,  Daniel 
De  Camp,  Noyes  B.  Chapman,  fames  Eerguson,  Robert 
A.  Hazlett,  Capt.  R.  IV.  Covington,  IVm.  B.  Hall, 
E.  T.  Leigh,  Alfred  Boyd,  Judge  f.  H.  Dazady, 
Dial  Davis,  Isaac  Q.  I irden,  fohn  A.  Hazlett,  E. 
M.  Minnis,  R.  P.  Langley,  fames  M.  Campbell,  and 
f.  IV.  Kite  hell.  Ue  also  desire  to  return  thanks  to 
Charles  Whitmer,  County  Clerk ; fosiah  A.  Hill, 
Circuit  Clerk ; and  to  R.  IV.  Orr,  County  Superin- 
tendent of  Schools,  for  his  able  article  on  the  common 
schools.  Erom  the  press  we  have  received  that  aid 
zvhich  members  of  the  profession  so  cheerfidly  render 
to  one  another.  To  the  clergymen  of  the  various  de- 
nominations, zvhosc  articles  appear  in  this  zoork,  zoe 


express  our  thanks  for  information  given  relative  to 
the  history  of  their  churches. 

Owing  to  the  imperfect  records  at  the  county-seat, 
zoe  are  unable  to  give  a complete  list  of  the  township 
officers,  hut  zoe  have  done  the  best  possible  under 
existing  circumstances. 

II  e have  confined  ourselves,  as  nearly  as  possible, 
to  the  original  materials  furnished.  The  public  are 
azoarc  of  the  difficulty  attending  the  compilation  of  a 
zoork  of  this  character, — a difpculty  arising  not  so 
much  from  a lack  of  material,  as  from  the  great 
quantity  of  it, — and  the  care  necessary  in  making  a 
proper  selection.  The  material  has  been  classified  as 
carefully  as  possible,  and  zoill,  zoe  are  assured,  be  a 
great  help  to  the  public,  as  a book  of  reference,  con- 
cerning the  past  of  the  county, — its  geogi'apJW' 
resources,  its  topography,  and  all  subjects  connected 
zvith  it.  IVe  expect  criticism.  All  zoe  ask  is,  that 
it  be  made  in  the  spirit  of  charity.  If  our  patrons 
zoill  take  into  account  all  the  difficulties  to  be  over- 
come, the  impossibility  of  harmonizing  various  me- 
mories, of  reconciling  diverse  dates,  and  accurately  lo- 
calizing events  that  are  attributed  to  different  dis- 
tricts, zoe  feel  assured  the  verdict  zoill  be  a favorable 
one. 

IVe  present  the  zoork  to  the  public,  trusting  that 
they  zoill  approve  our  labors  and  give  the  volume  a 
generous  reception. 

The  Publishers. 


775G76 


T A 1^>  L E 


OF  (’ON^’FX^rs. 


COUNT, Y HISTORY. 

CHAPTER  PAGE. 

I. — Brief  Sketch  of  tlie  Nortli- 

West  Territory 9 

II. — Brief  Historical  Sketch  of 

Illinois 20 

III.  — Pioneers  ami  Earl}’  Settlers  30 

IV.  — ■Customs  of  Early  Days 41 

V.— Geogra[>hy,  Agricultural 

and  Manufacturing  Re- 


sources and  Railroad  Fa- 
cilities  45 

VI. — Geology 47 

VII. — Fauna 50 

VIII.-Flora 51 

IX. — Civil  History 52 

X. — Bench  and  Bar (ili 

XL— The  Press 70 

XII.  — The  Common  Schools.  75 

XIII. -  Patriotism 80 

XIV.  — Ecclesiastical  History 92 


Disastrous  Storm  of  1880...  Ill 


TOWNSHIP  HISTORIES. 


Assumption 184 

Buckhart 192 

Bear  Creek 224 

Greenwood  172 

John-son 221 

King  250 

Locust 243 

May 212 

Mt.  Auhiirn 234 

Mosquito 253 

Pana 141 

Prairieton 17G 

Rosemond 155 

Ricks T. 204 

South  Fork 159 

Stonington 230 

Taylorville 113 


Partial  List  of  Patrons 200 

Constitution  of  Illinois 208 

Declaration  of  Independence 275 

Constitution  of  the  United  States...  270 
Amendments  to  the  Constitution  of 
the  United  States 278 


BIOGRAPHIES. 


Adams.  Isom 

PAGE. 

182 

Adams,  .Jos 

178 

Adams,  Josias  II 

Adams,  Lea.son 

168 

Allen,  U.  R 

170 

Allsman,  John  AA’ 

216 

Anderson,  AA'.  AA’ 

129 

Armstrong,  AA’m 

2-57 

Austin.  .Jesse  AA' 

149 

Barnes,  Albert  G 132 

Baker,  V.  A 220 


Bates,  Z.  F 

....  249 

Betz,  Samuel 

Berry,  AA’illiam  S.,  (dec’d) 

....  223 

Birce,  J.  M 

....  180 

Bickerdike,  AA’illiam 

....  249 

Bloxam,  Henry,  M.  D 

....  239 

Bond,  Abner 

Bowman,  Asa 

....  232 

Boyd,  Alfred 

230 

Bratnel,  Elias 

Bridge,  J.  A 

....  191 

Bugg,  Mrs.  Susannah 

....  218 

Chapman,  Harvey  C.,  M.D 

....  133 

Chalfant,  N.  B 152 

Cheeney,  Harry 135 


Clark,  A.  L.,  (dec'd) 

Clark,  Dr.  .Josei>h  II.,  (dec’d)... 

Collin,  Robert  F.,  (dec'd) 

Cohenour,  AA’illiam  L 

....  139 

...  138 
....  170 
....  187 

Conder,  Henry  G 

Coonrod,  Edmund  G 

....  179 

Coon  rod,  S.  M 

....  188 

Cooper,  P 

....  240 

Conroy,  .John  C 

....  208 

Council,  A.  M 

....  171 

Covington,  R.  AA’ 

....  233 

Crawford,  Col.  Leonard 

....  2.55 

Crosthwait,  AVillianiA’ 

Crowl,  \'.  B 

Crowl,  AA’m.  II 

Cussins,  Dr.  J.  S 

249 

Davis,  Dial 

Dawdy,  John  II 

PAGE 


De  Camp,  Capt.  Daniel 198 

Dickerson,  J.  II 104 

Dod.son,  .John  C 229 

Drennan,  John  G 139 

Drennan,  .John  L 250 

Essick,  .James  C 150 

Ewing,  Robert  S 158 

Firey,  Isaac  H 243 

Fleming,  Enoch 224 

Funderburk,  AV.  T 223 

Gaskins,  Hatten 252 

George,  C.  C 105 

George,  William  G 172 

Gifford,  Grin 109 

Goodan  Brothers 173 

Gordon,  R.  R 183 

Goodrich,  Montgomery  P.  (dec’d).  242 

Gore,  William  F 108 

Go.ssman,  Otto 153 

Goudy,  Dr.  Calvin,  (deceased) 130 

Guth,  Louis 157 

Haines,  Fletcher 228 

Haines,  William  C 138 

Halford,  William  AV 190 

Hanon,  Capt.  Jesse 251 

Hai'din,  George  A^^,  (dee  d)  171 

Hayward,  Col.  J.  A 147 

Hazlett,  Robert  A 221 

Hegle,  Bernhart 152 

Hill,  Josiah  A 120 

Hundley,  AVm.B 131 

Hunter,  J.  C....: 249 

Hunter,  John  AV  240 

Hurlbutt,E.  S 198 

Ives,  AATHiam  II  222 

Johnson,  AA’alter  P 182 

Jones,  Hon.  .John  B 131 

Keraerer,  .John  B. 189 

Kirkwood,  AV^ in.  H 123 

Kit/.miller,  Dr.  Joseph  II 134 

Ladd,  Noyes 199 

Lakin,  Thomas  N 159 

Langen,  Theodore,  (dec’d)  212 

Large,  Samuel 223 

Lawton,  A.  E 245 

Lawton,  Samuel.  C 248 

Leach,  AA’illiam  M 210 


p.vgp: 


Leigh,  E.  T 227 

Little,  Major  AA'.  B.,  (dec’d)  153 

Livergood,  Henry,  (dec’d) 234 

Long,  Major  Thomas,  (decea.sed)  ..  133 

Logsdon,  AA’illiam 229 

Malhiot,  Francis  D 191 

Malhiot,  Theodule  F 192 

Martin,  AA’m.  T 138 

Matthew,  J.  B.,  M.  D 239 

May,  T.  G 127 

McBride,  Rev.  D.  M 218 

McCaskill,  A 121 

AIcElroy.  Joseph  AA’ 157 

AIcKnight,  Captain  S 140 

McQuigg,  J.  C 140 

AIcAA’illiams,  Abner  J 154 

Miller,  A.  AA' 211 

Miller,  Charles 175 

Miller.  .John  B 100 

Miller,  .John  AV 174 

Alilligan,  James  Ruple 190 

Minnis,  F.  -AI 136 

Morgan,  AA'illiam 259 

Monegan,  Thomas 210 

Morrison,  Hon.  AA’.  E 208 

Morrison.  Eugene  M 209 

Mo.ssler,  Samuel  H 139 

Murry,  Jeremiah  II 156 

Nash,  Orrin  S 141 

Neely,  .John  E 145 

Newcomb,  AA’illiam  H 151 

North,  II.  N 241 

Northeutt,  Elder  A.  D 183 

Orr,  R.  AA' 132 

Palmer,  John  258 

Parsons,  Lemuel 158 

Patton,  Dr.  Geo.  AA’ 165 

Peck,  Ricliard 214 

Perry,  Dr.  A.  L 140 

Petrie,  J.  AA’.,  M.  D 229 

Pigeon,  F.  0 187 

; Plain,  John 179 

Ponting,  'Tom  C 218 

j Proviue,AA’m.  M 134 

I Ralston,  Alexander 109 

Randle,  AA’illiam  S 210 

1 Rasbach,  T.  F 190 


6 


TABLE  OF  (CONTENTS, 


l‘A(iE 


Keese,  E.  C 152 

Kicks,  John  Bond 129 

Kicks,  N.  Douglas 136 

Kidge.  James 191 

Sandei's,  Nicliolas,  (dec'd) 219 

Sclilierbach,  Louis 148 

Schneider,  Micliael 180 

Schrantz,  Sylvester 233 

Simpson,  Wesley 176 

Sliad'er,  J.  B 151 

Shafer,  S.  A.  & J.  C 188 

Sliarp,G.K 203 

Sharp.  John 202 

Sheldon.  S.  B 201 

Shepherd,  E.  K 247 

Shull,  E.  S 207 

Shntnway,  Major  I).  D.,  (deceased)  124 

Slater,  Dr.  Lyman  B 135 

Smith,  John 215 

Smith,  William  M 150 

Sijuier,  John  J 125 

Steen  Brothers 210 

Stokes,  Iverson 200 

Taylor,  A.  A 168 

Taylor,  James  M 122 

Travis,  Miles  B 189 

Vandeveer,  .Judge  II.  M 118 

Virden,  I.  2-13 

M’adiile,  J.  .VIonzo 218 

M'agoner,  George 137 

Warreu  AVilliam  M 175 

Watson  Duilley  .1 188 

Weiscr  I'.  F 217 

Weiser.  .John 197 

Wilkinson  ( leorge  C 204 

Williams  ( ieorge  W 171 

Woofl,  .J 259 

Workman,  Michael 181 

White,  John 166 

White  .1.  B 207 

Whitccral't,  .Joseph  .1  162 

\\  hitecraft,  .John  C 176 

M’hitrner,  ( has 128 

Young,  B.  F 233 


PORTRAITS. 

Austin,  .Jes.se  IV.,  and  Wife 149 

Adams,  .Joseph 178 

Baker,  JV.  T 238 

Dickerson,  .1.  II 164 

George,  C.  C . 165 

Hill,  Josiah  A.,  and  Wife 126 

Hayward,  J.  S Facing  147 

Hayward,  .1.  A 147 

Haines,  Fletcher,  and  Wife 228 

Hunter,  John  W 246 

Hanoi!,  Capt.  .Jes.se 251 

Kirkwood,  Win.  II 123 

Ladd,  Noyes 199 

Lawton,  Samuel  C 248 

McCa.skill,  A 121 

May,  T.  G 127 

Mctjnigg,  J.  C 146 

Nash,  Orrin  S Facing  141 

North,  II.  N 241 

Peck  Kichard 214 

Squier,  .John  J 125 

Schneider,  ^lichael,  and  JVife 180 

Sheldon,  S.  B 201 

Sharp,  John,  and  Wife 202 

Sharp,  G.  K.,  and  Wife 203 

Smith,  Thomas 215 

Taylor,  James  M 122 

\'andeveer,  II.  M 118 

Whinner,  Charles  128 

Whitccral't,  Jo.seph  .A. 162 

Whitecraft,  John  C 167 

Weiser,  John  197 

Wei.ser,  F.  F 217 


ILLUSTRATIONS. 

.Adams,  Isom Facing  page  190 

Adams,  .1.  II “ “ 250 

Adams,  Lansing — ..  ‘‘  “ 250 

Adams,  Joseph ‘‘  ‘‘  178 

.Mlsman.  John  W Facing  Page  216 

.Vnstin,  .1.  W Facing  149 

Ballard  A Miller Facing  Page  175 

Bowman,  Asa Between  232  & 233 

Bngg,  Ed Facing  Page  218 

( 'onder,  II.  G “ ‘‘  150 

Cooper,  P “ ‘‘  240 


P AGE 

Crawford,  Leonard Facing  Page  255 

Chalfant,  N.  B ‘‘  “ 156 

Chase,  Wm.  A “ “ 158 

Coonrod,  E.  G ‘‘  “ 179 

Cohenour,  Wm.  L “ ‘‘  188 

County  Map  “ ‘‘  9 

County  Buildings......  “ “ 61 

Council,  A.  M “ *•  171 

Craig,  J.S “ “ 207 

CJaw.son,  Mrs.  Electa..  “ “ 191 

Crowl,  W.  II “ “ 165 

Davis,  Dial “ “ 242 

De  Camp,  Daniel ‘‘  “ 198 

Dickerson,  Dr.  .1.  II...  “ ‘‘  164 

Dodson,  J.  C “ “ 227 

Ebert,  Philip.. “ ‘‘  248 

Ettinger,  Wm.  .J.  L.  & Mary  ‘‘  220 

Ewing,  K.  S “ “ 158 

Fribley,  E.  .1 “ ‘‘  190 

Funderburk,  W.  T “ 223 

Gaskins,  Ilatten ‘‘  “ 253 

Geoi’ge,  C.  C “ 165 

George,  Wm.  G ‘‘  “ 168 

Goodan  Bros “ ‘‘  174 

Goodrich,  AV.  A “ “ 223 

Hayward,  Col.  J.  A.  Between  144  A 145 
Hayward,  Col.  J.  A.  (Int.)  148  and  149 
IL  II I ington.  Geo.  1*.... Facing  Page  198 

Haines,  Fletcher.  “ “ 228 

Hcgle,  B “ '■  1.38 

Hurlhntt,  E.  S “■  ‘ 200 

Johnson,  Walter  P.  . “ ‘‘  182 

Johnson  Bros., Between  192  lA:  193 

Knott,  AVilliam Facing  Page  191 

Krieger,  Mrs.  Amelia  “ “•  233 

Klingler,  George “ “ 210 

Ladd,  Noyes “ ‘‘  199 

Lamb,  James  L ‘‘  “ 222 

Langcn,  Elizabeth ‘‘  ‘‘  212 

Lawton,  S.  C “■  ‘‘  248 

Lawton,  James ‘‘  ‘‘  249 

Limer,  Wm ‘‘  ‘‘  234 

Long  Sr.,  II.  B “ “ 221 

Lovering,  C.  G “ “ 217 

Long,  M.  (' “ •'  122 

Matthew,  Dr.  J.  B '•  “ 175 


PAGE 


Miller,  John  W Facing  Page 

222 

Malhiot,  F.  I) 

“ 

187 

Melugin,  Mrs.  Joliannah 

(( 

173 

Minnis,  F.  M 

(( 

it 

136 

Monegan,  Thos 

U 

ti 

207 

Morgan,  G.  W 

it 

2)3 

Montgomery.  Jane  A. 

ti 

242 

Monison,  Hon.  W.  E. 

(( 

it 

208 

Morrison,  Eugene  M... 

a 

209 

Murry,  .1.  II  

“ 

1.56 

McWilliams,  J 

“ 

it 

188 

Norred,  F 

“ 

ti 

256 

Peck,  Kichard 

ti 

214 

Peabody,  Capt.  Wm.S 

it 

235 

Pigeon,  F.  G 

“ 

ft 

187 

Powel,  Kichard. 

It 

tt 

132 

Powel,  C 

132 

Powel,  IT.  M 

“ 

it 

132 

Kandle,  Wm.S 

u 

“ 

210 

Kichard.son,  I.  N 

it 

223 

Kiicker,  B.  E 

“ 

a 

201 

.Sattely  Bros 

ti 

it 

138 

Schrantz,  Sylvester 

it 

233 

She]>herd,  E.  K 

a 

tt 

247 

Sadler,  S.  J 

“ 

“ 

239 

Stafford,  M 

“ 

(« 

1.58 

Scheib,  Phares  S 

(( 

191 

Schneider,  Michael.... 

(( 

it 

180 

Scott,  Thos.  II 

“ 

“ 

1.54 

Sibley,  C.  AV 

“ 

ti 

150 

.Simpson,  AVesley 

“ 

it 

176 

Shetler,  .John 

“ 

219 

Shafer,  II.  J 

“ 

ti 

175 

Spates,  Alfred 

u 

ti 

218 

Taylor,  .lames  M 

“ 

it 

122 

Taylor,  A.  A 

it 

it 

168 

Tremont  House 

u 

a 

208 

A’allentine,  E.  S 

ti 

ti 

182 

Weiser,  John 

li 

197 

AVilkinson,  Geo.  C 

u 

204 

AVilley  Station 

“ 

a 

217 

AVilliams,  George 

172 

AVhitecraft,  .John  C.  .. 

'• 

it 

167 

Whitecraft,  .J.  A 

(( 

a 

162 

AVood,  1 larvey 

ti 

ti 

175 

AA'right,  T.  T.  A'  N.  J. 

ti 

“ 

152 

I NTPvODITCMMON. 


EW  studies  are  more  interesting  and  profitable  to 
mankind  than  that  of  the  past  experiences,  deeds, 
thoughts  and  trials  of  the  human  race. 

The  civilize<l  man  and  the  untutored  savage  alike 
desire  to  know  the  deeds  and  lives  of  their  ancestors,  and  strive 
to  perpetuate  their  story.  National  })atriotisni  and  literary 
pride  have  prompted  many,  in  all  times,  to  write  and  })reserve 
the  annals  of  particular  peoples,  but  narrow  prejudice  and 
selfish  interests  too  often  have  availed  to  suppre.ss  the  truth  or  to 
distort  facts. 

It  is  the  aim  of  this  work  to  collect  and  preserve  in  enduring 
and  popular  form  some  of  the  facts  of  the  early  settlement  and 
subsequent  growth  of  a great  county  of  a grand  State.  The 
families  whose  ancestors  were  early  on  the  ground,  and  whose 
members  have  made  the  county  what  it  is,  ai’c  worthy  of  remem- 
brance ; and  their  difficulties  and  sorrows,  customs,  labors  and 
patriotism,  should  not  he  allowed  to  fall  into  oblivion.  By  a 
knowledge  of  these  the  present  generation  will  he  instructed,  and 
the  future  will  be  guided. 

All  history,  if  properly  written,  is  interesting ; and  tliere  is  not 
a country,  or  a city,  or  a hamlet, — nay,  we  might  say,  not  a 
family  or  an  individual  on  the  globe, — whose  history  might  not 
be  more  or  less  valuable  to  })osterity. 

From  the  ancient  days,  away  hack  in  the  dim  and  shadowy 
past,  when  the  human  race  first  arrived  at  a state  of  intelligence 
sufficient  to  enable  them  to  transmit  a traditionary  or  written 
account  of  themselves,  all  along  down  the  teeming  ages,  our  pro- 
genitors have  left  in  various  ways,  and  by  different  means,  infor- 
mation, more  or  less  mythical,  of  the  age  and'generation  in  which 
they  ployed  their  ephemeral  part  on  the  world’s  ever-changing 
theatre  of  action.  It  is  graven  in  bronze  on  the  wonderful  works 
of  the  central  nations  of  Africa,  around  those  “ dim  fountains 
of  the  Nile;”  the  gray  old  pyramids  in  the  valley  of  “ twenty 
thousand  cities  ” are  covei’ed  with  the  hieroglyphical  language  of 
the  “ shadowy  past.”  The  vast  and  mighty  “ palaces  and  piles 
.stupendous,”  hoary  with  the  dust  of  unknown  centuries,  that 


bewilder  the  traveler  ’ mid  Egypt’s  drifting  sands,  upon  the 
})lains  of  the  flnphrates,  and  hidden  away  in  the  tiger-hunted 
jungles  of  the  “ farthest  Ind  the  gigantic  ruins  of  Southern  and 
Central  America,  under  the  snow-capped  Cordilleras  and  among 
the  wondrous  forests  of  Yucatan;  the  seamed  and  wrinkled 
pyramids  of  the  Aztecs,  in  Mexico  and  California,  and  the  ten 
thousand  crumbling  evidences  of  a powerful  civilization  scattered 
throughout  the  great  valley  of  the  ^Mississippi,  all  hear  testimony 
of  countless  attempts  to  transmit  knowledge  to  posteritv. 

The  written  history  of  the  American  Continent  dates  hack 
scarcely  four  centuries,  yet  within  that  comparatively  short 
period  its  pages  have  garnered  from  her  hills  and  mountains, 
from  her  grand  rivers  and  mighty  inland  seas,  valuable  additions 
to  the  world’s  stock  of  knowledge. 

Like  the  Eastern  Continent,  our  own  has  its  historic  points, — 
its  nuclei  around  which  cluster  the  memories  of  heroic  deeds,  the 
story  of  martyrs,  and  the  legends  of  a hai-harous  past.  St.  Au- 
gustine, Jamestown,  Plymouth  Rock,  (Quebec,  Montreal,  Boston, 
New  York,  Philadelphia  and  Detroit,  are  localities  about  which 
gather  volumes  of  history. 

The  advance  of  civilization  on  the  North  American  Continent 
has  been  more  rapid  than  in  any  other  portion  of  the  globe  ; and, 
within  the  memory  of  living  men,  the  fairest  and  richest  portions 
have  been  wrested  from  the  dominion  of  the  wilderne.ss  and  the 
savage,  and  changed  into  a highly-cultivated  region,  filled  with 
a race  of  industrious  and  thriving  people.  Prominent  among 
the  localities  rich  in  historic  lore  is  the  region  around  the  Mis- 
sissippi river.  It  early  claimed  the  attention  of  two  of  the  most 
powerful  nations  of  Europe,  whose  pioneers  and  aeanf  couriers 
were  boldly  pushing  into  the  then  unknown  countries  Iving 
towards  the  “ Great  South  Sea,”  eagerly  looking  for  gold  and 
precious  stones,  for  fabled  Eldorados,  and  fertile  lands. 

Dim  traditions,  fragmentary  legends,  stories  of  bloody  warfare, 
of  disaster  and  defeat ; essays,  letters,  and  public  documents,  all 
bearing  more  or  less  upon  the  history  of  the  county,  have  been 
carefully  examined. 


8 


INTRODUCTION. 


To  collect  and  arrange  in  one  volume  these  various  fragments, 
this  abundant  material,  and  to  give  the  cream  of  all  the  best 
authors  who  have  treated  the  subject,  together  with  all  additional 
information  it  was  possiijle  to  obtain,  and  present  it  in  readable 
form,  has  been  the  object  of  the  publishers  of  the  present 
work. 

We  know,  full  well,  the  task  is  not  a light  one  ; the  contem- 
plated work  is  by  no  means  a holiday  frolic.  Hard,  steady, 
close  application  and  untiring  energy  are  necessary  to  accom- 
plish it,  and  we  have  approached  the  subject  with  the  greate.'-t 
diffidence,  not  unmindful  of  our  shortcomings,  yet,  at  the  same 
time,  fully  deternnned  to  do  our  best,  and  trust  a generous  and 
discriminating  public  to  do  us  ju-stice,  hoping  and  believing  that 
our  labors  shall  not  have  been  wholly  in  vain. 

The  utmost  pains  have  been  taken  to  read  thoroughly  and  com- 
pare carefully  the  various  writers,  and  to  sift  out  and  reconcile 
discre[)ancies,  for  historians  not  unfrequently  disagree  upon  minor 
points.  The  work  of  reading  and  comparing  has  been  no  ordinary 
one,  and  the  difficulty  has  not  been  so  much  in  collecting  as  in 
making  a judicious  and  truthful  use  of  the  abundant  material  at 
hand. 

The  traditions  of  the  Indians,  as  given  by  Heckewelder  and 
others,  have  been  quoted  quite  extensively,  and  as  an  important 
factor  in  the  sum  total  of  knowledge  concerning  this  region  ; and 
the  early  discoveries  of  Mar(juette,  La  Salle,  Hennepin  and  other 
Pb-ench  adventurers  in  the  valley  of  the  Mississippi  and  the  basin 
of  the  great  lakes  of  the  Northwest,  have  also  demanded  a large 
share  of  attention,  as  preliminary  to  the  troubles  whicli  grew  out 
of  the  conflicting  claims  of  the  French  and  Plnglish  crowns, 
resulting  in  a contest  for  supremacy,  and  in  which  not  only  all 
I he  contiguous  region,  but  the  entire  French  and  1‘lnglish  posses- 
sions in  America,  a large  share  of  Fluroj)c,  and  iminen.se  regions 
in  Asia  and  the  islands  of  the  sea,  were  interested  and  in- 
volved. 

.\notlier  object  to  be  gained  by  this  work,  is  to  bring  to  the 
notice  of  the  j)Cople  tlie  immense  re.sources  which  a bountiful 
I’rovidence  has  bestowed  upon  them,  and  whicli  it  becomes,  not 
merely  a ]>rivilege  to  u.se,  but  a duty  to  improve.  How  little 
is  now  known  of  these  tren.-nres,  and  how  greatly  profitable  such 
information  may  l»e.  needs  only  a thought  to  comprehend.  Our 
fertile  soils,  our  noble  timber  trees,  our  genial  climate,  our  inex- 
haustilile  mineral  treasures,  ami  our  easy  fiieilities  for  commerce 
are,  in  a great  degree,  unknown  even  to  our  own  ]»opulation. 


This  volume  seeks  to  develop  an  appreciation  of  them,  and  to 
stimulate  a desire  to  improve  and  extend  them. 

Then,  local  customs,  old  family  traits  and  anecdotes  are  so  rich 
in  interest  and  so  full  of  instruction  to  the  young,  that  they  ought 
never  to  be  forgotten.  These,  so  many  as  time  and  diligence 
could  gather,  are  here  recorded,  and  will  be  found  to  form  no  un- 
important or  unin.structive  portion  of  this  volume. 

Among  the  most  influential  agencies  in  building  a nation,  and 
in  establishing  a character  for  its  people,  are  the  efforts  of  its 
citizens  to  educate  their  children  and  to  provide  for  social  relig- 
ious worship.  These  two  interests  will,  therefore,  show  most  ac- 
curately the  tastes,  the  habits  and  aspirations  of  a community. 
Hence  they  have  been  made  prominent  in  the  ensuing  narra- 
tive, and  it  is  confidently  hoped  that  they  will  not  only  interest 
readers,  but  will  be  studied  and  appreciated. 

The  work  will  be  found  embellished  with  views  of  public  and 
private  property,  in  various  parts  of  the  county,  and  with  por- 
traits and  biographies  of  many  of  the  prominent  men  of  the  past 
and  present. 

The  chapter  on  the  early  history  of  the  State  will  be  found 
interesting  and  instructive. 

The  Constitution  of  the  F^nited  States  and  of  this  State,  and  a 
roster  of  the  soldiers  of  the  late  war,  have  been  inserted  with  a 
view  to  make  the  work  more  creditable,  alike  to  the  j)ublishers 
and  people  of  the  county. 

The  work  may  be  incomplete  in  some  particular.'^.  Nor  indeed 
is  it  po.ssible  for  it  to  be  otherwise  ; but  we  hope  so  far  as  it 
goes  it  is  truthful  and  accurate. 

We  trust,  however,  that  it  will  be  the  means  of  preserving 
from  the  enij/ire  of  decay  a host  of  incidents,  of  recollections,  and 
of  anecdotes,  relating  to  the  hardy  pioneers  and  first  settlers  of 
the  county,  which,  in  the  estimation  of  the  historian  and  student 
of  history,  are  of  priceless  value,  but  which  otherwise  would  soon 
fade  froiiTthe  memories  of  the  living. 

Whether  this  has  been  well  done  is  not  for  us  to  sav.  A jren- 
erous  and  intelligent  public  •must  decide.  It  is  not  permitted 
any  man  to  attain  perfection.  Its  region  lies  beyond  our  reach. 
We  feel,  however,  in  submitting  this  work  to  the  insi)ection  of 
the  ])atrons,  who.se  public  spirit  made  po.ssible  its  pre|)aration, 
that  satisfaction  which  results  from  a consciousness  of  faithful 
endeavor  and  an  earnest  desire  to  fulfil  the  expectations  of  all. 

Our  work  is  accomplislud,  and  its  rc.'-ult  is  submitted  to 
your  favorable  inspection. 


Th«  Llbfuf) 
of  the 

»niv«rUty  of  IlffMfi. 


I 


<1 


i 


r 


HISTOEY 


OF 

GHKISTIAY  COUNTY,  ILLINOIS. 


CHAPTER  I. 

A BRIEF  SKETCH  OF  THE  NORTH-WEST  TERRITORY. 
GEOGRAPHICAL  POOITION. 

X 1784  the  North-western  Territory  was  ceded  to  the 
United  States  by  Virginia.  It  embraced  only  the 
territory  lying  between  the  Ohio  and  Mississipi  rivers; 
and  north,  to  the  northern  limits  of  the  United  States. 
It  coincided  with  the  area  now  embraced  in  the  states  of  Wiscon- 
sin, Illinois,  Michigan,  Indiana,  Ohio,  and  that  portion  of  l\Iin- 
nesota  lying  on  the  east  side  of  the  IMississippi  river.  On  the 
first  day  of  March,  1784,  Thomas  Jefferson,  Samuel  Hardy, 
Arthur  Lee,  and  James  Monroe,  delegates  in  Congress  on  the 
part  of  Virginia,  executed  a deed  of  cession,  by  which  they 
transferred  to  the  United  States,  on  certain  conditions,  all  right, 
title  and  claim  of  Virginia  to  the  country  known  as  the  North- 
western Territory.  But  by  the  purchase  of  Louisiana  in  1803, 
the  western  boundary  of  the  United  States  was  extended  to  the 
Rocky  Mountains  and  the  Northern  Pacific  Ocean.  It  includes 
an  area  of  1,887,8.50  square  miles,  being  greater  than  the  united 
areas  of  the  INIiddle  and  Southern  states,  including  Texas.  Out 
of  this  magnificent  territory  have  been  erected  eleven  sovereign 
states  and  eight  territories,  with  an  aggregate  population  at  the 
2)resent  time  of  13,000,000  inhabitants,  or  nearly  one-third  of  the 
entire  population  of  the  United  States. 

Its  rivers  are  the  largest  on  the  continent,  flowing  thousands 
of  miles  through  its  rich  alluvial  valleys  and  broad,  fertile 
jirairies. 

Its  lakes  are  fresh-water  seas,  ujwn  whose  bosom  floats  the 
commerce  of  many  states.  Its  far-stretching  prairies  have  more 
acres  that  are  arable  and  productive  than  any  other  area  of  like 
extent  on  the  globe. 

For  the  last  quarter  of  a century  the  inciease  of  jiopulation 
and  wealth  in  the  north-west  has  been  about  as  fhree  to  one  in 
any  other  jiortion  of  the  United  States. 

EARLY  EXPLORATIONS. 

In  the  year  1512,  on  Easter  Sunday,  the  S^iaiiish  name  for 


which  is  Pascua  Florida,*  Juan  Ponce  de  Leon,  an  old  comrade 
of  Columbus,  discovered  the  coast  of  the  American  continent, 
near  St.  Augustine,  and  in  honor  of  the  day  and  of  the  blossoms 
which  covered  the  trees  along  the  shore,  named  the  new-found 
country  Florida.  Juan  had  been  led  to  undertake  the  discovery 
of  strange  lands  partly  by  the  hope  of  finding  endless  stores  of 
gold,  and  partly  by  the  wish  to  reach  a fountain  that  was  said 
to  exist  deep  within  the  forests  of  North  America,  Avhieh  po.s- 
sessed  the  power  of  renovating  the  life  of  those  who  drank  of 
or  bathed  in  its  waters.  He  was  made  governor  of  the  region 
he  had  visited,  but  circumstances  prevented  his  return  thither 
until  1521 ; and  then  he  went  only  to  meet  death  at  the  hands 
of  the  Indians. 

In  the  meantime,  in  1516,  a Spanish  sea-captain,  Diego  IMi- 
ruelo,  had  visited  the  coast  first  reached  by  Ponce  de  Leon,  and 
in  his  barters  with  the  natives  had  received  considerable  quan- 
tities of  gold,  with  which  he  returned  home  and  spread  abroad 
new  stories  of  the  wealth  hidden  in  the  interior. 

Ten  years,  however,  passed  before  Pamjihilo  de  Narvaez  un- 
dertook to  prosecute  the  examination  of  the  lands  north  of  the 
Gulf  of  Mexico.  Narvaez  was  excited  to  action  by  the  late 
astonishing  success  of  the  conqueror  of  IMontezuma,  but  he 
found  the  gold  for  which  he  sought  constantly  flying  before  him; 
each  tribe  of  Indians  referred  him  to  those  living  farther  in  the 
interior.  And  from  tribe  to  tribe  he  and  his  companions  wan- 
dered. They  suffered  untold  privations  in  the  swamps  and 
forests;  and  out  of  three  hundred  followers  only  four  or  five  at 
length  reached  Mexico.  And  still  these  disappointed  wanderers 
persisted  in  their  original  fancy,  that  Florida  was  as  wealthy  as 
Mexico  or  Peru. 

Among  those  who  had  faith  in  that  rejiort  was  Ferdinand  de 
Soto,  who  had  been  with  Pizarro  in  the  conquests  of  Peru.  He 
asked  and  obtained  leave  of  the  King  of  Spain  to  conquer 
Florida  at  his  own  cost.  It  was  given  in  the  year  1538.  With 
a brilliant  and  noble  band  of  followers  he  left  Europe,  and  in 
May,  1538,  after  a stay  in  Cuba,  anchored  his  vessels  near  the 

* Pasou.a,  the  old  Englisli  “ Pash  ” or  Passover;  “ Pascua  Florida  ” is  the  “ Holy- 
day  of  Flowers.” 


10 


HISTORY  OF  CHRISTIAN  COUNTY,  ILLINOIS. 


coast  of  the  Peninsula  of  Florida,  in  the  bay  of  Spiritu  Santa, 
or  Tampa  bay. 

De  Soto  entered  upon  his  march  into  the  interior  with  a deter- 
mination to  succeed.  From  June  till  ^<ovember  of  1539,  the 
Spaniards  toiled  along  until  they  reached  the  neighborhood  of 
Appalachee  bay.  During  the  next  season,  1510,  they  followed 
the  course  suggested  by  the  Florida  Indians,  who  wished  them 
out  of  their  country,  and  going  to  the  north-east,  crossed  the 
rivers  and  climbed  the  mountains  of  Georgia.  De  Soto  was  a 
stern,  severe  man,  and  none  dared  to  murmur.  De  Soto  passed 
the  winter  with  his  little  band  near  the  Yazoo.  In  April,  1541, 
the  resolute  Spaniard  set  forward,  and  upon  the  first  of  May 
reached  the  banks  of  the  great  river  of  the  West,  not  far  from 
the  35th  pai-allel  of  latitude.* 

A month  was  spent  in  preparing  barges  to  convey  the  horses, 
many  of  which  still  lived,  across  the  rapid  stream.  Having 
successfully  passed  it,  the  explorers  pursued  their  way  north- 
ward, into  the  neighborhood  of  New  Madrid  ; then  turning 
westward  again,  marched  more  than  two  hundred  miles  from  the 
^lississippi  to  the  highlands  of  White  river  ; and  still  no  gold, 
no  gems,  no  cities — only  bare  prairies,  and  tangled  forests,  and 
deep  morasses.  To  the  south  again  they  toiled  on,  and  passed 
their  third  winter  of  wandering  upon  the  Washita.  In  the  fol- 
lowing spring  (1542j,  De  Soto,  weary  with  hope  long  deferred, 
descended  the  Washita  to  its  junction  with  the  Mississippi.  He 
heard,  when  he  reached  the  mighty  stream  of  the  west,  that  its 
lower  portion  flowed  through  endless  and  uninhabitable  swamps. 

The  news  sank  deep  into  the  stout  heart  of  the  disappointed 
warrior.  His  health  yielded  to  the  contests  of  his  mind  and  the 
influence  of  the  climate.  He  appointed  a successor,  and  on  the 
21st  of  May  died.  His  body  was  sunk  in  the  stream  of  the  Mi.s- 
sissippi.  Deprived  of  their  energetic  leader,  the  Spaniards 
determined  to  try  to  reach  Mexico  by  land.  After  some  time 
spent  in  wandering  through  the  forests,  despairing  of  success  in 
the  attempt  to  rescue  themselves  by  land,  they  proceeded  to  pre- 
pare such  vessels  as  they  could  to  take  them  to  sea.  From 
January  to  July,  1543,  the  weak,  sickly  band  of  gold-seekers 
labored  at  the  doleful  task,  and  in  July  reached,  in  the  vessels 
thus  built,  the  Gulf  of  Mexico,  and  by  September  entered  the 
river  Paunco.  One-half  of  t’le  six  hundred  f who  had  disem- 
barked with  De  Soto,  so  gay  in  steel  and  silk,  left  their  bones 
among  the  mountains  and  in  the  morasses  of  the  South,  from 
Georgia  to  Arkansas 

De  Soto  founded  no  settlements,  produced  no  results,  and  left 
no  traces,  unless  it  were  that  he  awakened  the  hostility  of  the 
red  man  again.st  the  white  man,  and  disheartened  such  as  might 
desire  to  follow  up  the  career  of  discovery  for  bettor  purpo.scs. 
The  French  nation  were  eager  and  ready  to  seize  upon  any  news 
from  tliis  extensive  domain,  and  were  the  first  to  ])rofit  by  De 
Soto’s  defeat.  As  it  was,  f)r  more  than  a century  after  the 
expedition,  the  wc.st  remained  utterly  unknown  to  the  whites. 

The  French  were  the  finst  Furopeans  to  make  settlements  on 
the  St.  Lawrence  river  ami  along  the  great  lakes.  (,|uebec  was 
founded  l>y  Sir  Samuel  Cliam[)Iain  in  1008,  and  in  1009,  when 
Sir  Henry  Hudson  was  ex|)loring  the  noble  river  which  bears 

• f)<=  Soto  pro>iaMy  wan  nt  Uto  lower  Chirkn«nw  liIiifT'*.  The  SpaniarfN  enllcfl  tlie 
Mj}i<ti4Hippi  IUoGran<h%  (/rent  Kiver,  wliinli  l-^  the  literal  meahin^  of  t’ao  ahorigiiuil 
nam«. 

t U = Hieilna  i llinu  Ian  l*'il  Hjo  iihhi. 


his  name,  Champlain  ascended  the  Sorelle  river,  and  discovered, 
embosomed  between  the  Green  mountains,  or  “ Verdmont,”  as 
the  chivalrous  and  jmetic  Frenchman  called  them,  and  the  Adi- 
rondacks,  the  beautiful  sheet  of  water  to  which  his  name  is 
indissolubly  attached.  In  1613  he  founded  Montreal. 

During  the  period  elapsing  between  the  years  1007  and  1004, 
the  English,  Dutch,  and  Swedes  alternately  held  possession  of 
portions  of  the  Atlantic  coast,  jealously  watching  one  another, 
and  often  involved  in  bitter  controversy,  and  not  seldom  in  open 
battle,  until,  in  the  latter  year,  the  English  became  the  Sole 
rulers,  and  maintained  their  rights  until  the  era  of  the  Revolu- 
tion, when  tliey  in  turn  were  compelled  to  yield  to  the  growing 
power  of  their  colonies,  and  retire  from  the  field. 

The  French  movements,  from  the  first  settlement  at  Quebec, 
and  thence  w’estward,  were  led  by  the  Catholic  missionaries.  Le 
Caron,  a Franciscan  friar,  wdio  had  been  the  companion  and 
friend  of  Champlain,  was  the  first  to  jjenetrate  the  western  wilds, 
which  he  did  in  1G16*  in  a birch  canoe,  exploring  Lake  Huron 
and  its  tributaries.  This  was  four  years  before  the  Pilgrims 

“JlooreJ  their  bai'k  on  the  wild  New-England  shore.” 

Under  the  patronage  of  Louis  XHI.,  the  Jesuits  took  the  ad- 
vance, and  began  vigorously  the  work  of  Christianizing  the 
savages  in  1G32. 

In  1G34,  three  Jesuit  missionaries,  Brebeuf,  Daniel,  and  Lal- 
lemand,  jflanted  a mission  on  the  shores  of  the  lake  of  the 
Iroquois  (probably  the  modern  Lake  Simeoej,  and  also  esta- 
blished others  along  the  eastern  border  of  Lake  Huron. 

From  a map  published  in  IGGO,  it  would  appear  that  the 
French  had,  at  that  date,  become  quite  familiar  with  the  region 
from  Niagara  to  the  head  of  Lake  Superior,  including  consider- 
able portions  of  Lake  IMichigan. 

In  1G41,  Fathers  Jogues  and  Raymbault  embarked  on  the  Pcnc- 
tanguishine  Bay  for  the  Sault  St.  IMarie,  where  they  arrived 
after  a passage  of  seventeen  days.  A crowd  of  two  thousand 
natives  met  them,  and  a great  council  was  held.  At  this  meet- 
ing the  French  first  heard  of  many  nations  dwelling  beyond  the 
great  lakes. 

Father  Raymbault  died  in  the  wiklcrncss  in  1G42,  while 
enthusiastically  pursuing  his  discoveries.  The  same  year,  Jogues 
and  Bressani  were  captured  by  the  Indians  and  tortured,  and  in 
1G48  the  mission  which  had  been  founded  at  St.  Joseph  was 
taken  and  destroyed,  and  Father  Daniel  slain.  In  1G49,  the 
missions  St.  Louis  and  St.  Ignatius  Avere  also  destroyed,  and 
Fathers  Brebeuf  and  Lallemand  barbarously  tortured  by  the 
same  terrible  and  unrelenting  enemy.  Literally  did  those 
zealous  missionaries  of  the  Romish  Church  “ take  their  lives  in 
their  hands,”  and  lay  them  a billing  sacrifice  on  the  altar  of 
their  faith. 

It  is  stated  by  some  writer  that,  in  1654,  two  fur-traders  ao- 
companied  a band  of  Olfau'cts  on  a journey  of  five  hundred 
leagues  to  the  west.  They  were  absent  two  years,  and  on  their 
return  brought  with  them  tifty  canoes  and  two  hundred  and  fifty 
Indians  to  the  French  trading  posts. 

They  related  wonderful  tales  of  the  countries  they  had  seen, 
and  the  various  red  nations  they  had  visited,  and  described  the 
lofty  mountains  and  mighty  rivers  in  glowing  terms.  A new 

* Western  Annal.s. 


HISTORY  OF  CHRISTIAN  COUNTY,  ILLINOIS. 


11 


impulse  was  given  to  the  spirit  of  adventure,  and  scouts  aud 
traders  swarmed  the  frontiers  and  explored  the  great  lakes  and 
adjacent  country,  and  a party  wintered  in  1659-60  on  the  south 
shore  of  Lake  Superior. 

lu  1660  Father  Mesnard  was  sent  out  by  the  Bishop  of 
Quebec,  and  visited  Lake  Superior  in  October  of  that  year. 
While  crossing  the  Keeweenaw  Point  he  was  lost  in  the  wilder- 
ness and  never  afte  rwards  heard  from,  though  his  cassock  and 
breviary  were  found  long  afterwards  among  the  Sioux. 

A change  was  made  in  the  government  of  New  France  in 
1665.  The  Company  of  tlie  Hundred  Associates,  who  had  ruled 
it  since  1632,  resigned  its  charter.  Tracy  was  made  Viceroy, 
Courcelles  Governor,  and  Talon  Intendent. This  was  called 
the  Government  of  the  West  Indies. 

The  Jesuit  missions  were  taken  under  the  care  of  the  new  gov- 
ernment, and  thenceforward  became  the  leaders  in  the  movement 
to  Christianize  the  savages. 

In  the  same  year  (1665)  Pierre  Claude  Alloiiez  was  sent  out 
by  way  of  the  Ottawa  river  to  the  far  west,  via  the  Sault  St. 
Marie  and  the  south  shore  of  Lake  Superior,  where  he  landed  at 
the  bay  of  Chegoimegon.  Here  he  found  the  chief  village  of 
the  Chippewas,  and  established  a mission.  He  also  made  an 
alliance  with  them  and  the  Sac.^,  Foxes  and  Illinois^  again.«t 
the  formidable  Iroquois.  Alloiiez,  the  next  year  (1666)  visited 
the  western  end  of  the  great  lake,  where  he  met  tlie  Sioux,  and 
from  them  first  learned  of  the  Mississippi  river,  which  they 
called  “Messipi.”  From  thence  he  returned  to  Quebec. 

In  1663  Claude  Dablon  and  Jacques  Marquette  established 
the  mission  at  the  Sault  called  St.  Marie,  and  during  the  next 
five  years  Alloiiez,  Dablon  and  Marquette  explored  the  region 
of  Lake  Superior  on  the  south  shore,  and  extending  to  Lake 
Michigan.  They  also  established  the  missions  of  Chegoimegon, 
St.  Marie,  Mackinaw  and  Green  Bay. 

The  plan  of  exploring  the  Mississippi  probably  originated  with 
IMarquette.  It  was  at  once  sanctioned  by  the  Intendent,  Talon, 
who  was  ambitious  to  extend  the  dominion  of  Francs  over  the 
whole  West. 


In  1670  Nicholas  Perot  was  sent  to  the  West  to  projoose  a 
congress  of  all  the  nations  and  tribes  living  in  the  vicinity  of  the 
lakes;  and,  in  1671,  a great  council  was  held  at  Sault  St.  Marie, 


North-west  were  taken  into  an  alliance,  with  much  pomp  and 
ceremony. 


On  the  13th  of  May,  1673,  Marquette,  Joliet,  and  five  voyageurs, 
embarked  in  two  birch  canoes  at  IMackinaw  and  entered  Lake 
Michigan.  The  first  nation  they  visited  was  the  “ Fol/es-Avoines,” 
or  nation  of  Wild  Oats,  since  known  as  the  3Ienomonies,  living 
around  the  “Bale  des  Puans,”  or  Green  Bay.  These  people, 
with  whom  Marquette  was  somewhat  acquainted,  endeavored  to 
persuade  the  adventurers  from  visiting  the  Mississippi.  They 
represented  the  Indians  on  the  great  river  as  being  blood-thirsty 
and  savage  in  the  extreme,  and  the  river  itself  as  being  in- 
habited by  monsters  which  would  devour  them  and  their  canoes 
together.  J 

* The  duties  of  Intendent  included  a supervision  of  the  policy,  justice,  and  finance 
of  Uie  province. 

+ The  meaning  of  this  word  is  said  to  be  “ Men.’’ 

tSoe  legend  of  the  great  bird,  the  terriMe  “P/o.so,”  that  devoured  men,  and  was 
only  overcome  by  the  sacrifice  of  a brave  youns  chief.  The  rock.s  above  Alton,  Illin- 
ois, have  some  rude  representations  of  this  monster. 


Marquette  thanked  them  for  their  advice,  but  declined  to  be 
guided  by  it.  Passing  through  Greeu  Bay,  they  ascended  the 
Fox  Kiver,  dragging  their  canoes  over  the  strong  raj^ids,  and 
visited  the  village,  where  they  found  living  in  harmony  together 
tribes  of  the  3Iiajnis,  Mascoutens  * and  Kikabeax,  or  Kickapoos. 
Leaving  this  point  on  the  10th  of  June,  they  made  the  portage 
to  the  “ Ouisconsin,”  and  descended  that  stream  to  the  Missis- 
sippi, which  they  entered  on  the  17th  with  a joy,  as  Marquette 
says,  which  he  could  not  express.”  f 

Sailing  down  the  Mississippi,  the  party  reached  the  Des 
Moines  River,  aud,  according  to  some,  visited  an  Indian  village 
some  two  leagues  up  the  stream.  Here  the  people  again  tried  to 
persuade  them  from  prosecuting  their  voyage  down  the  river. 
After  a great  feast  and  a dance,  and  a night  passed  with  this 
hospitable  people,  they  proceeded  on  their  way,  escorted  by  six 
hundred  persons  to  their  canoes.  These  people  called  themselves 
Illinois,  or  Illini.  The  name  of  their  tribe  was  Peruaca,  and 
their  language  a dialect  of  the  Algonquin. 

Leaving  these  savages,  they  proceeded  down  the  river.  Pass- 
ing the  wonderful  rocks,  which  still  excite  the  admiration  of  the 
traveler,  they  arrived  at  the  mouth  of  another  great  river,  the 
Pekitanoni,  or  INIissouri  of  the  present  day.  They  noticed  the 
condition  of  its  waters,  which  they  described  as  “ muddy,  rush- 
ing and  noi.sy.” 

Passing  a great  rock,t  they  came  to  the  Ouabouskigon,  or 
Ohio.  IMarquette  shows  this  river  very  small,  even  as  compared 
wdth  the  Plinois.  From  the  Ohio  they  passed  as  far  down  as  the 
Akamsca,  or  Arkansas,  where  they  came  very  near  being  de- 
stroyed by  the  natives  ; but  they  finally  pacified  them,  and,  on 
the  17th  of  July,  they  commenced  their  return  voyage. 

The  party  reached  Green  Bay  in  September  without  loss  or 
injury,  and  reported  their  discoveries,  which  were  among  the 
most  important  of  that  age.  IMarquette  afterwards  returned  to 
Illinois,  and  preached  to  the  natives  until  1675. 

On  the  18th  of  ^lay  of  that  year,  while  cruising  up  the  eastern 
coast  of  Lake  Michigan  with  a party  of  boatmen,  he  landed  at 
the  mouth  of  a stream  putting  into  the  lake  from  the  east,  since 
known  as  the  river  IMarquette.  He  performed  mass,  and  went  a 
little  apart  to  pray,  and  being  gone  longer  than  his  companions 
deemed  necessary,  they  w’ent  in  search  of  him,  and  found  him 
dead  wdiere  he  had  knelt.  They  buried  him  in  the  sand. 

While  this  distinguished  adventurer  was  pursuing  his  labors, 
two  other  men  were  preparing  to  follow  in  his  footstejis,  and 
make  still  further  explorations,  and,  if  possible,  more  important 
discoveries.  These  were  the  Chevalier  Robert  de  la  Salle  and 
Louis  Hennepin. 

La  Salle  was  a native  of  Rouen,  in  Normandy.  He  was  edu- 
i cated  at  a seminary  of  the  Jesuits,  and  designed  for  the  ministry, 

^ but,  for  reasons  unknown,  he  left  the  seminary  and  came  to 
Canada,  in  1667,  where  he  engaged  in  the  fur  trade. 

Like  nearly  every  intelligent  man,  he  became  intensely  inte- 
rested in  the  new  discoveries  of  the  West,  and  conceived  the  idea 
of  exploring  the  passage  to  the  great  South  Sea,  which  by  many 
was  believed  to  exist.  He  made  known  his  ideas  to  the  Govern- 
or-General, Count  Frontenac,  and  desired  his  co-ojwration.  The 
Governor  at  once  fell  in  with  his  views,  which  were  strength- 
ened by  the  reports  brought  back  by  Marquette  aud  Joliet,  and 

♦Prairie  Indians.  f Marquette'.^  journal.  J The  grand  tower. 


12 


IIISrORY  OF  CHRISTIAN  COUNTY,  ILLINOIS. 


advised  La  Salle  to  apply  to  the  King  of  France  in  person,  and 
gave  him  letters  of  introduction  to  the  great  Colbert,  then  Min- 
ister of  Finance  and  Marine.  Accordingly,  in  1675,  he  returned 
to  France,  where  he  was  warmly  received  by  the  King  and 
nobility,  and  his  ideas  were  at  once  listened  to,  and  every  possi- 
ble flivor  shown  to  him. 

He  was  made  a Chevalier,  and  invested  with  the  seigniory  of 
Fort  Catarocouy,  or  Frontenac  (now  known  as  Kingston),  upon 
condition  that  he  would  rebuild  it,  as  he  proposed,  of  stone. 

lleturning  to  Canada,  he  wrought  diligently  upon  the  fort 
until  1677,  when  he  again  visited  France  to  report  progress, 
fie  was  received,  as  before,  with  flivor,  and,  at  the  instance  of 
Colbert  and  his  son,  the  King  granted  him  new  letters  patent 
and  new  privileges.  On  the  14th  of  July,  1678,  he  sailed  from 
Rochelle,  accompanied  by  thirty  men,  and  with  Tonti,  an  Italian, 
for  his  lieutenant.  They  arrived  at  Quebec  on  the  13th  of  Sep- 
tember, and  after  a few  days’  delay,  proceeded  to  Frontenac. 
Father  Lewis  Hennepin,  a Franciscan  friar,  of  the  Recollet  sect, 
was  quietly  working  in  Canada  on  La  Salle’s  arrival.  He  was  a 
man  of  great  ambition,  and  much  interested  in  the  discoveries  of 
the  day.  He  was  appointed  by  his  religious  superiors  to  accom- 
pany the  expedition  fitting  out  for  La  Salle. 

Sending  agents  forward  to  prepare  the  Indians  for  his  coming, 
and  to  open  trade  with  them.  La  Salle  himself  embarked,  on  the 
18th  of  Kov^eraher,  in  a little  brigantine  of  ten  tons,  to  cross 
Lake  Ontario.  This  was  the  first  ship  of  European  build  that 
ev'er  sailed  upon  this  fresh -water  sea.  Contrary  winds  made  the 
voyage  long  and  troublesome,  and  a month  was  consumed  in 
beating  up  tlie  lake  to  the  Niagara  River.  Near  the  mouth  of 
this  river  the  Iroquois  had  a village,  and  here  La  Salle  con- 
structed the  first  fortification,  which  afterwards  grew  into  the 
famous  Fort  Niagara.  On  the  26th  of  January,  1679,  the  keel 
of  the  first  vessel  built  on  Lake  Erie  was  laid  at  the  mouth  of 
the  Cayuga  Creek,  on  the  American  side,  about  si.x  miles  above 
the  falls. 

In  the  meantime  La  Salle  had  returned  to  Fort  Frontenac  to 
forward  supplies  for  his  forthcoming  vessel.  The  little  barque 
on  Lake  Ontario  was  wrecked  by  carelessness,  and  a large 
amount  of  the  supplies  she  carried  was  lost.  On  the  7th  of  Au- 
gust, the  new  vessel  was  launched,  and  made  ready  to  sail.  She 
was  about  seventy  tons’  burden. 

La  Salle  christened  his  vessel  the  “Gridin,”  in  honor  of  the 
arms  of  Count  Frontenac.  Passing  across  Lake  Erie,  and  into 
the  small  lake,  which  they  named  St.  Clair,  they  entered  the 
broail  waters  of  Lake  Huron.  Here  they  encountered  heavy 
storms,  as  dreadful  as  those  upon  the  ocean,  and  after  a most 
t(;mi)3stuous  passage  they  took  refuge  in  the  roadstead  of  Michilli- 
m'lnkiii'ic  (M  ickinaw),  on  the  27th  of  August.  La  Salle  remained 
at  this  ])  »int  until  the  middle  of  September,  busy  in  founding  a 
fort  and  constructing  a trading-house,  when  he  went  forward 
U|)on  the  tlcej)  waters  of  Lake  Michigan,  and  .soon  after  cast 
amdior  in  ( irecn  Ray.  Finding  here  a large  (juantity  of  furs  and 
pidtries,  he  determined  to  load  his  vc.ssel  and  send  her  back  to 
Niagara.  On  the  18th  of  .September,  she  was  sent  under  charge 
of  a pilot,  while  La  Salle  himself,  with  fourteen  men,*  proceeded 
up  Lake  .Michigan,  Icisundy  examining  its  shores  and  noting 
everylhitig of  interest.  Tonti,  who  had  been  sent  to  look  after 


I stragglers,  was  to  join  him  at  the  head  of  the  lake.  From  the 
19th  of  September  to  the  1st  of  November,  the  time  was  occupied 
in  the  voyage  up  this  inland  sea.  On  the  last-named  day.  La 
Salle  arrived  at  the  mouth  of  the  river  Miamis,  now  St.  Jose])h. 
Here  he  constructed  a fort,  and  remained  nearly  a month  wait, 
ing  for  tidings  of  his  vessel  ; but,  hearing  nothing,  he  determined 
to  push  on  before  the  winter  should  prevent  him.  On  the  3d 
of  December,  leaving  ten  men  to  garrison  the  fort,  he  started 
overland  towards  the  head-waters  of  the  Illinois,  accompanied 
by  three  monks  and  twenty  men.  Ascending  the  St.  Joseph 
River,  he  crossed  a short  portage  and  reached  the  The-a-ki-ki, 
since  corrupted  into  Kankakee.  Embarking  on  this  sluggish 
stream,  they  came  shortly  to  the  Illinois,  and  soon  after  found  a 
village  of  the  Illinois  Indians,  probably  in  the  vicinity  of  tho 
rocky  bluffs,  a few  miles  above  the  present  city  of  La  Salle,  Illi- 
nois. They  found  it  deserted,  but  the  Indians  had  quite  a 
quantity  of  maize  stored  here,  and  La  Salle,  being  short  of 
provisions,  helped  himself  to  what  he  required.  Passing 
down  the  stream,  the  party,  on  the  4th  of  January,  came  to  a 
lake,  probably  the  Lake  Peoria,  as  there  is  no  other  upon  this 
stream.  Here  they  found  a great  number  of  natives,  who  were 
gentle  and  kind,  and  La  Salle  determined  to  construct  a fort. 
It  stood  on  a rise  of  ground  near  the  river,  and  was  named 
Creve- Occur  ( broken-heart),  most  probably  on  account  of  the 
low  spirits  of  the  commander,  from  anxiety  for  his  vessel  and 
the  uncertainty  of  the  future.  Possibly  he  had  heard  of  the  loss 
of  the  “Griffin,”  which  occurred  on  her  downw.ard  trij)  from 
Green  Bay  ; most  probably  on  Lake  Huron.  He  remained  at 
the  Lake  Peoria  through  the  winter,  but  no  good  tidings  came, 
and  no  supplies.  His  men  were  discontented,  but  the  brave 
adventurer  never  gave  up  hope.  He  resolved  to  send  a party  on 
a voyage  of  exploration  up  the  INIississippi,  under  the  lead  of 
Father  Hennepin,  and  he  himself  would  proceed  on  foot  to  Niag- 
ara and  Frontenac,  to  raise  more  means  and  enlist  new  men; 
while  Tonti,  his  lieutenant,  should  stay  at  the  fort,  which  they 
were  to  strengthen  in  the  meantime,  and  extend  their  intercourse 
with  the  Indians. 

Hennepin  started  on  his  voyage  on  the  last  day  of  February, 
1680,  and  La  Salle  soon  after,  with  a few  attendants,  started  on 
his  perilous  journey  of  twelve  hundred  miles  by  the  way  of  the 
Illinois  River,  the  IMiami,  and  Lakes  Erie  and  Ontario,  to 
Frontenac,  which  he  finally  reached  in  safety.  He  found  his 
worst  fears  realized.  Tho  “Griffin”  was  lost,  his- agents  had 
taken  advauitage  of  his  .absence,  and  his  creditors  h.ad  seized  his 
goods.  But  he  knew  no  such  word  ns  fail,  and  by  the  middle  of 
summer  he  was  again  on  his  way  with  men  and  supplies  for  his 
band  in  Illinois.  A sad  disap[)ointment awaited  him.  He  found 
his  fort  deserted,  and  no  tidings  of  Tonti  and  his  men.  During 
La  Halle’s  .absence  tho  Indians  had  become  jc.alous  of  the  French, 
and  they  had  been  attacked  and  harassed  even  by  the  Iroquois, 
who  came  the  long  distance  between  the  shores  of  Lake  Ontario 
and  the  Illinois  River  to  make  war  upon  the  more  peaceable 
tribes  dwelling  on  the  prairies.  Uncertain  of  any  assi.stanec 
from  La  Halle,  and  apprehensive  of  a general  war  with  the  sav- 
agc.s,  4’onti,  in  Heptember,  1680,  abandoned  his  position  and  re- 
turned to  the  shores  of  the  lakes.  La  Halle  reached  the  post  on 
the  Illinois  in  December,  1680,  or  January,  1681.  Again 


• Aiinalfl  of  the  WcBt. 


* The  .'ile  of  the  work  Is  .it  present  unknown. 


HISTORY  OF  ClIRlSTIAlSr  COUNTY,  ILLINOIS. 


13 


bitterly  disappointed,  La  Salle  did  not  succumb,  but  resolved  to 
return  to  Canada  and  start  anew.  he  did,  and  in  June  met 

his  lieutenant,  Tonti,  at  Mackinaw. 

Hennepin  in  the  meanwhile  had  mei  with  strange  adventures. 
After  leaving  Creve-Coeur,  he  reached  the  Mississippi  in  seven 
days ; but  his  way  was  so  obstructed  by  ice  that  he  was  until  the 
11th  of  April  reaching  the  Wisconsin  line.  Here  he  was  taken 
])risoner  by  some  northern  Indians,  who,  however,  treated  him 
kindly  and  took  him  and  his  companions  to  the  falls  of  St.  An- 
thony, which  they  reached  on  the  1st  of  May.  These  falls  Hen- 
nepin named  in  honor  of  his  patron  saint.  Hennepin  and  his 
companions  remained  here  for  three  months,  treated  very  kindly 
by  their  captors.  At  the  end  of  this  time  they  met  with  a band 
of  French,  led  by  one  Sieur  de  Luth,  who,  in  pursuit  of  game 
and  trade,  had  penetrated  to  this  country  by  way  of  Lake  Su- 
perior. With  his  baud  Hennepin  and  his  companions  returned 
to  the  borders  of  civilized  life  in  November,  1680,  just 
after  La  Salle  had  gone  back  to  the  wilderness.  Hennepin  re- 
turned to  France,  where,  in  1684,  he  published  a narrative  of 
his  wonderful  adventures. 

Robert  De  La  Salle,  whose  name  is  more  closely  connected 
with  the  explorations  of  the  Mississippi  than  that  of  any  other,  was 
the  next  to  descend  the  river  in  the  year  1682.  Formal  posses- 
sion was  taken  of  the  great  river  and  all  the  countries  bordering 
upon  it  or  its  tributaries  in  the  name  of  the  King. 

La  Salle  and  his  party  now  retraced  their  steps  towards  the 
north.  They  met  with  no  serious  trouble  until  they  reached  the 
Chickasaw  Bluffs,  where  they  had  erected  a fort  on  their  down- 
ward voyage,  and  named  it  Prudhomme.  Here  La  Salle  was 
taken  violently  sick.  Unable  to  proceed,  he  sent  forward  Tonti 
to  communicate  with  C.)unt  Frouteuae.  La  Salle  himself  reached 
the  moutli  of  the  St.  Joseph  the  latter  part  of  September.  From 
that  point  he  sent  Father  Zenobe  with  his  dispatches  to  repre.sent 
him  at  court,  while  he  turned  his  attention  to  the  fur  trade  and 
to  the  project  of  completing  a fort,  which  he  named  St.  Louis, 
upon  the  Illinois  River.  The  precise  location  of  this  work  is  not 
known.  It  was  said  to  be  upon  a rocky  bluff  two  hundred  and 
fifty  feet  high,  and  only  accessible  upon  one  side.  There  are  no 
bluffs  of  such  a height  on  the  Illinois  River  answering  the  de- 
scription. It  may  have  been  on  the  rocky  bluff  above  La  Salle, 
where  the  rocks  are  perhaps  one  hundred  feet  in  height. 

Upon  the  completion  of  this  work  La  Salle  again  sailed  for 
France,  which  he  reached  on  the  13th  of  December,  1683.  A 
new  man.  La  Barre,  had  now  succeeded  Frontenac  as  Governor 
of  Canada.  This  man  was  unfriendly  towards  La  Salle,  and 
this,  with  other  untoward  circumstances,  no  doubt  led  him  to  at- 
tempt the  colonization  of  tlie  Mississippi  country  by  way  of  the 
mouth  of  the  river.  Notwithstanding  many  obstacles  were  in  his 
path,  he  succeeded  in  obtaining  the  grant  of  a fleet  from  the 
King,  and  on  the  24th  of  July,  1684,  a fleet  of  twenty-four  ves- 
sels sailed  from  Rochelle  to  America,  four  of  wliich  were  destined 
for  Louisiana,  and  carried  a body  of  two  hundred  and  eighty 
people,  including  the  crews.  There  were  soldiers,  artificers,  and 
volunteers,  and  also  “some  young  women.”  Discord  soon  broke 
out  between  M.  de  Beaujeu  and  La  Salle,  and  grew  from  bad  to 
worse.  On  the  20th  of  December  they  reached  the  island  of  St. 
Domingo. 

*I'’i  om  this  man  undoubtedly  comc.s  the  name  of  Duluth. 


Joutel  * was  sent  out  with  this  party,  which  left  on  the  4th  of 
February,  and  traveled  eastward  three  days,  when  they  came  to 
a great  stream  which  they  could  not  cross.  Here  they  made  sig- 
nals by  building  great  fires,  and  on  the  13th  two  of  the  vessels 
came  in  sight.  The  stream  was  sounded  and  the  vessels 
were  anchored  under  shelter.  But  again  misfortune  overtook 
La  Salle,  and  the  vessel  was  wrecked,  and  the  bulk  of  the  sup- 
plies was  lost.  At  this  juncture  JM.  de  Beaujeu,  his  second  in 
command,  set  sail  and  returned  to  France.  La  Salle  now  con- 
structed a rude  shelter  from  the  timbers  of  bis  wu’ecked  vessel, 
placed  his  people  inside  of  it,  and  set  out  to  explore  the  sur- 
rounding country  in  hope  of  finding  the  ^Mississippi.  He  was,  of 
course,  disappointed  ; but  found  on  a stream,  wdiich  is  named  the 
Vaches,  a good  site  for  a fort.  He  at  once  removed  his  camp, 
and,  after  incredible  exertions,  constructed  a fortification  suffi- 
cient to  protect  them  from  the  Indians.  This  fort  was  situated 
on  Matagorda  Bay,  Avithin  the  present  limits  of  Texas,  and  Avas 
called  by  La  Salle  Fort  St.  Louis. 

Leaving  Joutel  to  complete  the.  Avork  Avith  one  hundred  men. 
La  Salle  took  the  remainder  of  the  company  and  embarked 
on  the  river,  Avith  the  intention  of  proceeding  as  far  up  as  he 
could.  The  savages  soon  became  troublesome,  and  on  the  14th 
of  July  La  Salle  ordered  Joutel  to  join  him  Avith  his  Avhole  force, 
riiev  had  already  lost  se\mral  of  their  best  men,  and  dangers 
threatened  them  on  e\mry  side.  It  Avould  seem  from  the  histo- 
rian’s account  of  the  expedition  that  La  Salle  began  to  erect 
another  fort,  and  also  that  he  became  morose  and  sev'ere  in  his 
discipline,  so  much  so  as  to  get  the  ill  Avill  of  many  of  his  people. 
Ho  finally  resolved  to  advance  into  the  country,  but  Avhether 
Avith  the  A'icAV  of  reluming  to  Canada  by  Avay  of  Illinois,  or  only 
for  the  purpose  of  making  further  discoveries,  Joutel  leaves  in 
doubt.  Giving  his  last  instructions,  he  left  the  fort  on  the  12th 
day  of  January,  1687,  Avith  a company  of  about  a dozen  men, 
including  his  bi’othcr,  two  nephcAVS,  Father  Anastasius,  a Francis- 
can friar,  Joutel,  and  others,  and  moved  north-eastward,  as  is 
supposed,  until  the  17th  of  IMarch,  Avhen  some  of  his  men,  Avho 
had  been  cherishing  reAmngeful  feelings  for  some  time,  Avaylaid 
the  CheAuilicr  and  shot  him  dead.  They  also  sleAV  one  of  his 
nephcAA’s  and  tAvo  of  his  servants. 

This  deed  occurred  on  the  20th  of  IMarcb,  on  a stream  called 
Cenis. 

In  1687,  Franco  Avas  inAmlvcd  in  a long  and  bloody  Avar.  The 
League  of  Augsburg  Avas  formed  by  the  Princes  of  the  Empire 
against  Louis  XIV.,  and  England,  Sjmin,  Holland,  Denmark, 
SAveden,  and  Saamy  took  up  arms,  and  Louis  found  himself  bat- 
tling Avith  nearly  the  Avhole  of  Europe,  and  only  Turkey  for  an 
ally.  This  A\mr  ended  Avith  the  })eace  of  liysAvick  in  1697. 

No  material  change  took  ])lace  in  America,  but  the  colonists 
Avere  harassed  and  many  of  their  people  killed  or  carried  cap- 
tives to  the  Canadas.  In  1688,  the  French  possessions  in  North 
America  included  nearly  the  Avholc  of  the  continent  north  of  the 
St.  LaAvrence,  and  the  entire  valley  of  the  Mississippi ; and  they 
had  begun  to  establish  a line  of  fortifications  extending  from 
Quebec  to  the  mouth  of  the  IMississippi,  betAA'een  Avhich  points 
they  had  three  great  lines  of  communication,  to  Avit : by  Avay  of 
MackinaAV,  Green  Bay,  and  the  Wisconsin  River ; by  Avay  of 
Lake  Michigan,  the  Kaidcakce  and  Illinois  Rivers ; and  by  Avay 

* Joutel,  historian  of  the  voyage,  accompanied  T, a Salle,  and  subsequently  wrote 
his  “Journal  Ilistorique,”  which  was  published  in  Taris,  1713. 


14 


HISTORY  OF  CHRISTIAN  COUNTY,  ILLINOIS. 


of  Lake  Erie,  the  Maumee  and  Wabash  Rivers,  and  were  pre- 
paring to  explore  the  Ohio  as  a fourth  route. 

In  1699,  D’Iberville,  under  the  authority  of  the  crown,  disco-  | 
vered,  on  the  second  of  March,  by  way  of  the  sea,  the  mouth  of 
the  “ Hidden  River.”  This  majestic  stream  was  called  by  the  j 
natives  “ Malbouchia,”  and  by  the  Spaniards,  “ La  Pali.ssade,”  i 
from  the  great  number  of  trees  about  its  mouth.  After  travers- 
ing the  several  outlets,  and  satisfying  himself  as  to  its  certainty, 
he  erected  a fort  near  its  western  outlet,  and  returned  to  France. 
An  avenue  of  trade  was  now  opened  out,  which  was  fully  im- 
proved. 

At  this  time  a census  of  New  France  showed  a total  popula- 
tion of  eleven  thousand  two  hundred  and  forty-nine  Europeans. 
War  again  broke  out  in  1701,  and  extended  over  a period  of 
twelve  years,  ending  with  the  treaty  of  Utrecht,  in  1713.  This 
also  extended  to  the  American  Colonies,  and  its  close  left  every- 
thing as  before,  with  the  exception  that  Nova  Scotia  was  cap- 
tured in  1710. 

In  1718,  New  Orleans  was  laid  out  and  settled  by  some 
European  colonists.  In  1762,  the  colony  Avas  made  over  to 
Spain,  to  be  regained  by  France,  under  the  consulate  of  Napo- 
leon. 

In  1803,  it  Avas  purchased  by  the  United  States,  for  the  sum 
of  fifteen  million  dollars,  and  the  territory  of  Louisiana  and  the 
commerce  of  the  Mississippi  lUA'cr,  came  under  the  charge  of  the 
United  States.  Although  La  Salle’s  labors  ended  in  defeat  and 
death,  he  had  not  Avorkedand  suffered  in  \min.  lie  had  throAvn 
open  to  France  and  the  Avorld  an  immense  and  most  valuable 
country.  Had  established  several  ports,  and  laid  the  foundation 
of  more  than  one  settlement  there.  “ Peoria,  Kaskaskia  and  Ca- 
hokia  are  to  this  day  monuments  of  L i S.illc’s  labors  ; for, 
though  he  had  founded  neither  of  them  (unless  Peoria,  Avhich  I 
Avas  built  nearly  upon  the  site  of  Fort  Crevccoeur),  it  Avas  by  those 
he  led  into  the  Avest  that  these  places  Avero  peopled  and  civilized.  ; 
He  Avas,  if  not  the  discoverer,  the  first  settler  of  the  Mississippi  1 
Valley,  and  as  such  deserves  to  be  knoAvn  and  honored.”* 

The  F rench  early  improved  the  opening  made  for  them,  and 
before  1693,  the  Reverend  Father  Gravier  began  a mission 
among  the  Illinois,  and  became  the  founder  of  Kaskaskia.  For 
some  time  it  AA’as  merely  a missionary  station,  and  the  inhabitants 
of  the  village  consisted  entirely  of  natives ; it  being  one  of  three 
such  villages,  the  other  two  being  Cahokia  and  Peoria.  This  Ave 
learn  from  a letter  Avritten  by  Father  Gabriel  (Marest,  dated  | 
“ Aux  Cascaskias,  Autrement  dit  de  rimmaculee  concepciou  do  ' 
la  Sainte  Vierge,  le  9 Novembre,  1712.”  In  this  letter,  the 
writer  tells  us  that  Gravier  must  bo  regarded  as  the  founder  of  j 
the  Illinois  missions.  Soon  after  the  founding  of  Kaskaskia,  the  j 
missionary,  I’inet,  gathered  a flock  at  Cahokia, f Avhilc  Peoria  ' 
arose  near  the  remains  of  Fort  Crevecnenr.|  \ 

An  unsuccessful  attenijit  Avas  ahso  made  to  found  a colony  on 
the  ()liio.  It  failed  in  conseipienee  of  sickne.ss.^ 

In  the  north,  I)c  La  Motte  Cadillac,  in  June,  1701,  laid  the 

* The  ftnihoritios  in  rolntion  to  Pnlln  nreHonnopin:  n nnrrntivo  pnHislioil  in  | 
thn  nnmf  of  Tonti,  in  lOflT,  hut  Uisclftimecl  by  him.  (Charlevoix  iii.  -Lott res  j 
KHififtnt#**). 

f TtaneroO,  iil.  Iiir,.  j 

t Ti)oro  wa**  nn  oltl  P'^orla  on  (he  North*wes(  siiore  of  the  lake  of  that  name,  a milo 
an^l  B hnlf  above  ihe  outlet.  From  1778  to  1796  the  inhnl)itant‘*  left  this  for  New  Pco-  j 
ria.  (Fort  f'lark)  nt  the  outlet.  American  State  Papers,  xviii.  476.  j 

^ Wfktn-n  Annnf.'is  [ 


foundation  of  Fort  Pontchartrain,  on  the  strait,  (le  Detroit),* 
Avhile  in  the  soutlnvest  efforts  Avere  making  to  realize  the  dreams 
of  La  Salle.  The  leader  in  the  last  named  enterprise  Avas  Le- 
moine  D’Iberville,  a Canadian  officer,  aa'Iio  from  1694  to  1697 
distinguished  himself  not  a little  by  battles  and  compiests  among 
the  icebergs  of  the  “ Baye  D’Udson  or  Hudson-’s  Bay.” 

The  post  at  Vincennes,  on  the  Oubache  riAmr,  (pronounced  * 
Wa-ba,  meaning  summer  cloud  moving  sAA’iftly),  Avas  established 
in  1702.  It  is  quite  probable  that  on  La  Salle’s  last  trip  he 
established  the  stations  at  Kaskaskia  and  Cahokia.  Until  the 
year  1750,  but  little  is  knoAvn  of  the  settlements  in  the  north- 
Avest,  as  it  Avas  not  until  this  time  that  the  attention  of  the 
English  Avas  called  to  the  occupation  of  this  portion  of  the  ncAv 
AA’orld,  AAdiieh  they  then  supposed  they  oAvned.  Vivier,  amission- 
ary among  the  Illinois,  Avriting  “ Aux  Illinois,”  six  leagues  from 
Fort  Chartres,  June  8th,  1750,  says:  “We  have  here  AA'hites, 
negroes,  and  Indians,  to  say  nothing  of  the  cross-breeds.  There 
are  five  French  villages,  and  three  villages  of  the  nativ'es  Avithin 
a space  of  tAventy-one  leagues,  situated  betAA’een  the  INIississippi 
and  another  river,  called  the  Karkadiad  ( Kaskaskia).  In  the 
five  French  Aullages  are,  perhaps,  eleven  hundred  AA'hites,  three 
hundred  blacks,  and  some  sixty  red  sla\ms  or  saA'ages.  The 
three  Illinois  toAvns  do  not  contain  more  than  eight  hundred 
souls  all  told.t  Most  of  the  French  till  the  soil.  They  raise 
wheat,  cattle,  pigs  and  horses,  and  live  like  princes.  Three 
times  as  much  is  produced  as  can  be  consumed,  and  great  quan- 
tities of  grain  and  flour  are  sent  to  Nesv  Orleans.” 

Again,  in  an  epistle  dated  November  17th,  1750,  Vivier  says: 

“ For  flfteen  leagues  above  the  mouth  of  the  iMississippi,  one  sees 
no  dAvellings  * * * * NeAV  Orleans  contains  black,  Avhite  and 
red,  not  more,  I think,  than  tAvelve  hundred  persons.  To  this 
point  come  all  kinds  of  lumber,  bricks,  salt-beef,  talloAA’,  tar,  skins, 
and  bear’s  grease  ; and  above  all  pork  and  flour  from  the  Illinois. 
These  things  create  some  commerce,  as  forty  vessels  and  more 
have  come  hither  this  year.  Above  NeAV  Orleans  plantations  are 
again  met  Avith  ; the  most  considerable  is  a colony  of  Germans, 
some  ten  leagues  up  the  ri\mr.  At  Point  Coupee,  thirty-five 
leagues  above  the  German  settlement,  is  a fort.  Along  here, 
Avithin  five  or  six  leagues,  arc  not  less  than  sixty  habitations. 
Fifty  leagues  farther  up  is  the  Natchez  post,  Avhcrc  Ave  have  a 
garrison.” 

Father  ^larest,  Avriting  from  the  po.st  at  Vincennes,  makes  the 
same  observation.  Vivier  also  says,  “ Some  individuals  dig  lead 
near  the  surface,  and  siqqil)’  the  Indians  and  Canada.  Tavo 
Spaniards,  noAv  here,  Avho  claim  to  be  adepts,  say  that  our  mines 
arc  like  those  of  IMexico,  and  that  if  avc  Avould  dig  deeper  Ave 
AA'ould  find  silver  under  the  lead  ; at  any  rate  the  lead  is  excellent. 
There  are  also  in  this  country,  beyond  doubt,  copper  mines,  as 
from  time  to  time,  large  pieces  have  been  found  in  the  streams.”,]; 

At  the  close  of  the  year  1750,  the  French  occupied  in  addition 
to  the  loAver  Mississippi  posts  and  those  in  Illinois,  one  at  Du 
(^uesne,  one  at  the  Maumee,  in  the  country  of  the  Miamis,  and 
one  at  Sandusky,  in  Avhat  may  be  termed  the  Ohio  Valley.  In 
the  northern  part  of  the  north-Avest,  th.ey  had  stations  at  St. 
Joseph’s,  on  the  St.  Joseph’s  of  T.akc  Michigan,  at  Fort  Pont- 

♦ Clinrievoix,  ii.  28t.  Fo  Potroit  was  tho  whole  strait  from  Erie  to  Huron.  The 
first  grants  of  land  at  Detroit,  i.  c.,  Fort  Pontchartrain,  were  made  in  1707 

t Fotires  Ediflantes  (Paris,  1781),  vii.  97-100. 

J Wcfltern  Annals. 


HISTORY  OF  CHRISTIAN  COUNTY,  ILLINOIS. 


U) 


chartrain  (D^troitj,  at  Micliillimackinac  or  Massillimacinac, 
Fox  River  of  Green  Bay,  and  at  Sault  Ste.  Marie.  The  fondest 
dreams  of  La  Salle  were  now  fully  realized.  The  French  alone 
were  possessors  of  this  vast  realm,  basing  their  claim  on  discovery 
and  settlement.  Another  nation,  however,  was  now  turning  its 
attention  to  this  extensive  country,  and  learning  of  its  wealth 
began  to  lay  plans  for  occupying  it  and  for  securing  the  great 
l>rofits  arising  therefrom. 

The  French,  however,  had  another  claim  to  this  country, 
namely,  the 

DISCOVERY  OP  THE  OHIO. 

The  largest  branch  of  the  Mississippi  river  from  the  east, 
known  to  the  early  French  settlers  as  la  belle  riviere,  called 
“ beautiful  ” river,  was  discovered  by  Robert,  Cavalier  de  La 
Salle,  in  1G89.  While  La  Salle  was  at  his  trading  post  on  the 
St.  Lawrence,  he  found  leisure  to  study  nine  Indian  dialects,  the 
chief  of  which  was  the  Iroquois.  While  conversing  with  some 
Senecas,  he  learned  of  a river  called  the  Ohio,  which  rose  in  their 
country  and  flowed  to  the  sea. 

In  this  statement  the  Mississippi  and  its  tributaries  were  con- 
sidered as  one  stream.  La  Salle,  believing  as  most  of  the  French 
at  that  period  did,  that  the  great  rivers  flowing  west  emptied  into 
the  Sea  of  California,  was  anxious  to  embark  in  the  enterprise  of 
discovering  a route  across  the  continent.  He  repaired  at  once  to 
Quebec  to  obtain  the  approval  of  the  Governor  and  the  Intend- 
cnt.  Talon.  They  issued  lettei's  patent,  authorizing  the  enter- 
prise, but  made  no  provisions  to  defray  the  expenses. 

At  this  juncture  the  seminary  St.  Sulpice  decided  to  send  out 
missionaries  in  connection  with  the  expedition,  and  La  Salle 
offering  to  sell  his  improvements  at  La  Chive  to  raise  the  money, 
the  offer  was  accepted  by  the  Superior,  and  two  th  uisand  eight 
hundred  dollars  were  raised,  with  which  LaSalle  purchased  four 
canoes  and  the  necessary  supplies  for  the  outfit. 

Oa  the  6th  of  July,  1669,  the  party,  numbering  twenty-four 
person-s,  embarked  in  seven  canoes  on  the  St.  Lawrence.  Two 
additional  canoes  carried  the  Indian  guides. 

In  three  days  they  were  gliding  over  the  bosom  of  Lake  On- 
tario. Their  guides  conducted  them  directly  to  the  Seneca  vil- 
lage on  the  bank  of  the  Genesee,  in  the  vicinity  of  the  present 
city  of  Rochester,  New  York.  Here  they  expected  to  procure 
guides  to  conduct  them  to  the  O'.iio,  but  in  this  they  were  disap- 
pointed. After  waiting  a month  in  the  hope  of  gaining  their 
object,  they  met  an  Indian  from  the  Iroquois  colony,  at  the  head 
of  Lake  Ontario,  who  assured  them  they  could  find  guides,  and 
offered  to  conduct  them  thence.  On  their  way  they  passed  the 
mouth  of  Niagara  river,  when  they  heard  for  the  first  time  the 
distant  thunder  of  the  cataract.  Arriving  among  the  Iroquois 
they  met  with  a friendly  reception,  and  learned  from  a Shawnee 
prisoner  that  they  could  reach  the  Ohio  in  six  weeks.  Delighted 
with  the  unexpected  good  fortune,  they  made  ready  to  resume 
their  journey,  and  as  they  were  about  to  start  they  lieard  of  the 
arrival  of  two  Frenchmen  in  a neighboring  village.  One  of  them 
proved  to  be  Louis  Joliet,  afterwards  famous  as  an  explorer  in 
the  west.  He  had  been  sent  by  the  Canadian  government  to  ex- 
I)lore  the  copper  mines  on  Lake  Superior,  but  had  failed  and  was 
on  his  way  back  to  Quebec. 

On  arriving  at  Lake  Superior,  they  found,  as  La  Salle  had 
predicted,  the  Jesuit  fatlrrs,  INfarquette  and  Dablon,  occupying 


I the  field.  After  parting  with  the  priests.  La  Salle  went  to  the 
chief  Iroquois  village  at  Onondago,  where  he  obtained  guides 
; and  jiassing  thence  to  a tributary  of  the  Ohio  south  of  Lake 
Erie,  he  descended  the  latter  as  far  as  the  falls  of  Louisville. 
Thus  was  the  Ohio  discovered  by  La  Salle,  the  persevering  and 
j successful  French  explorer  of  the  west  in  1669. 
i When  Washington  was  sent  out  by  the  colony  of  Virginia  in 
1753,  to  demand  of  Gordeur  de  St.  Pierre  why  the  French  had 
I built  a fort  on  the  IMonongahela,  the  haughty  commandant  at 
Quebec  replied;  “We  claim  the  country  on  the  Ohio  by  virtue 
of  the  discoveries  of  La  Salle,  and  will  not  give  it  up  to  the 
Englisli.  Our  orders  are  to  make  prisoners  of  every  Englishman 
found  trading  in  the  Ohio  valley.” 

ENGLISH  EXPLORATIONS  AND  SETTLEMENTS. 

We  have  sketched  the  progress  of  French  discovery  in  the 
valley  of  the  Mississippi.  The  first  travelers  reached  that  river 
in  1673,  and  when  the  year  1750  broke  in  upon  the  father  of 
waters  and  the  great  north-west,  all  was  still  except  those  little 
spots  upon  the  prairies  of  Illinois  and  among  the  marshes  of 
Louisiana. 

Volney,  by  conjecture,  fixes  the  settlement  of  Vincennes  about 
1735.*  Bishop  Brute,  of  Indiana,  speaks  of  a missionary  station 
there  in  1700,  and  adds:  “ The  friendly  tribes  and  traders  called 
to  Canada  for  protection,  and  then  M.  De  Vincennes  came  with 
a detachment,  I think,  of  Carignau,  and  was  killed  in  1735.”  f 
Bancroft  says  a military  establishment  was  formed  there  in  1716, 
and  in  1742  a settlement  of  herdsmen  took  place,  j;  In  a petition 
of  the  old  inhabitants  at  Vincennes,  dated  in  November,  1793, 
we  find  the  settlement  spoken  of  as  having  been  made  before 
1742.  § And  such  is  the  general  voice  of  tradition.  On  the 
other  hand,  Charlevoix,  who  records  the  death  of  Vincennes, 
which  took  place  among  the  Chickasaws,  in  1736,  makes  no 
mention  of  any  post  on  the  AVabash,  or  any  missionary  station 
there.  Neither  does  he  mark  any  upon  his  map,  although  he 
gives  even  the  British  forts  upon  the  Tennessee  and  elsewhere. 
Such  is  the  character  of  the  proof  relative  to  the  settlement  of 
A^incennes. 

Hennepin,  in  1663-4,  had  heard  of  the  “ Hohio.”  The  route 
from  the  lakes  to  the  IMississippi,  by  the  AA^abash,  was  explored 
1676,  II  and  in  Hennepin’s  volume  of  1698,  is  a journal,  said  to 
he  that  sent  by  La  Salle  to  Count  Frontenac,  in  1682  or  ’83, 
which  mentions  the  route  by  the  Maumee  Tf  and  AA^abash  as  the 
most  direct  to  the  great  western  river. 

In  1749,  when  the  English  first  began  to  think  seriously  of 
sending  men  into  the  west,  the  greater  portions  of  the  states  of 
Ohio,  Indiana,  Illinois,  Michigan,  AVisconsin,  and  Minnesota 
were  yet  under  the  dominion  of  the  red  men.  The  Englbh  knew 
however,  of  the  nature  of  the  vast  wealth  of  these  wilds. 

In  the  year  1710,  Governor  Spotswood,  of  Virginia,  had  ma- 
tured a plan  and  commenced  movements,  the  object  of  which  was 
to  secure  the  country  beyond  the  Alleghenies  to  the  English 
crown.  In  Pennsylvania,  also.  Governor  Keith  and  James  Lo- 
gan, Secretary  of  the  Province  from  1719  to  1 731,  rej^resented 
to  the  powers  of  England  the  necessity  of  taking  steps  to  secure 
the  western  lands.  Nothing,  however,  ivas  done  by  the  mother 

* Volney’s  View,  p.  S.'iG.  f Butler's  Kentucky.  J History  U.  S.,  iii  . 34G. 

§ American  State  Papers,  xvi.,  32.  ||  Histoire  General  Des  Voyages  .\iv.,  758. 

If  Now  called  Miami. 


IG 


niSTORY  OF  CHRISTIAN  COUNTY,  ILLINOIS. 


country,  except  to  take  certain  diplomatic  steps  to  secure  the 
claim  of  Britain  to  this  unexplored  wilderness.  England  had 
from  the  outset  claimed  from  the  Atlantic  to  the  Pacific,  on  the 
ground  that  the  discovery  and  possession  of  the  sea  coast  was  a 
discovery  and  possession  of  the  country;  and  as  is  w'ell  knowm, 
her  grants  to  Virginia,  Connecticut,  and  other  colonies,  were 
through  from  “ sea  to  sea.”  This  wms  not  all  her  claims ; she  had 
purchased  from  the  Indian  tribes  large  tracts  of  land.  This  was 
also  a strong  argument. 

In  the  year  1684,  Lord  Howard,  Governor  of  Virginia,  held  a 
treaty  with  the  five  nations  at  Albany.  These  were  the  great 
Northern  Confederacy,  and  comprised  at  first  the  Mohawks, 
Oneidas,  Onondagas,  Cayugas,  and  Senecas.  Afterward  the 
Tuscaroras  were  taken  into  the  confederacy,  and  it  became  known 
as  the  six  nations.  They  came  under  the  protection  of  the 
mother  country,  and  again  in  1701  they  repeated  the  agreement. 
Another  formal  deed  was  drawn  up  and  signed  by  the  chiefs  of 
the  National  Confederacy  in  1726,  by  which  their  lands  w'ere 
conveyed  in  trust  to  England,  “ to  be  protected  and  defended  by 
his  majesty,  to  and  for  the  use  of  the  grantors  and  their  heirs.” 
The  validity  of  this  claim  has  often  been  disputed,  but  never 
successfully.  In  1774,  a purchase  was  made  at  Lancaster  of 
certain  lands  within  the  “ colony  of  Virginia,”  for  which  the  In- 
dians received  £200  in  gold  and  a like  sum  in  goods,  with  a 
promise  that  as  settlements  increased,  more  should  be  paid.  The 
commissioners  from  Virginia  at  the  treaty  w'ere  Col.  Thomas  Lee 
and  Col.  William  Beverly. 

As  settlements  extended,  and  the  Indians  began  to  complain, 
the  promise  of  further  pay  w'as  called  to  mind,  and  Mr.  Conrad 
Weiscr  was  sent  across  the  Alleghenies  to  Logstown.  In  1784,* 
Col.  Lee  and  some  Virginians  accompanied  him,  with  the  inten- 
tion of  ascertaining  the  feelings  of  the  Indians  with  regard  to 
further  settlements  in  the  west,  wdiich  Col.  Lee  and  others  were 
contemplating.  The  object  of  these  proposed  settlements  was  not 
the  cultivation  of  the  soil,  but  the  monopoly  of  the  Indian  trade. 
Accordingly,  after  AVeiser’s  conference  with  the  Indians  at  Logs- 
town, which  was  favorable  to  their  views,  Thomas  Lee,  with 
twelve  other  Virginians,  among  whom  were  Lawrence  and  Augus- 
tine, brothers  of  George  AVashington,  and  also  Mr.  Ilanbur  y.  of 
London,  formed  an  a.ssociation  which  they  called  the  “Ohio 
Company,”  and  in  1748  petitioned  the  king  for  a grant  beyond 
the  mountains.  This  petition  was  approved  by  the  English 
government,  and  the  government  of  A'^irginia  was  ordered  to 
grant  to  the  petitioners  half  a million  of  acres  within  the  bounds 
of  that  colony  beyond  the  Alleghenies,  two  hundred  thousand  of 
whifdi  were  to  be  located  at  once.  This  portion  was  to  be  held 
for  ten  years  free  of  (piit-rent,  provided  the  company  would  put 
there  one  hundred  families  within  seven  years,  and  build  a fort 
suflicient  to  [>rotect  the  settlement.  The  company  accepted  the 
]troi)OHition,  and  .sent  to  London  for  a cargo  suited  to  the  Indian 
trade,  which  should  arrive  in  November,  1749.  Other  companies 
were  also  f)rmed  about  this  time  in  Virginia  to  colonize  the  wc.st. 
On  the  12th  of  June,  1749,  a grant  of  809,000  acres  from  the 
line  of  Canada,  on  the  north  and  west,  was  made  to  the  Ivoyal 
Company,  and  on  the  29th  of  October,  1751,  another  of  100,000 
acres  to  the  flrccnbriar  Company. t 

The  i’rench  were  not  blind  all  this  time.  They  saw  that  if  the 

♦ I’lain  p|).  10,  leO.  f Kcvi.scd  Sliitiitcs  of  Virgini.o. 


British  once  obtained  a stronghold  upon  the  Ohio,  they  might 
not  only  prevent  their  settlements  upon  it,  but  in  time  would 
come  to  the  lower  posts,  and  so  gain  possession  of  the  whole 
country.  Upon  the  10th  of  May,  1744,  Vaudreuil,  the  French 
governor,  well  knowing  the  consequences  that  must  arise  from 
allowing  the  English  to  build  trading  posts  in  the  north-west, 
seized  some  of  their  frontier  posts,  to  further  secure  the  claims  of 
the  French  to  the  west.  Having  these  fears,  and  seeing  the 
danger  of  the  late  movements  of  the  British,  Gallisoniere,  then 
Governor  of  Canada,  determined  to  place  along  the  Ohio  evi- 
dences of  the  French  claim  to,  and  possession  of,  the  country. 
For  that  purpose  he  sent,  in  the  summer  of  1749,  Louis  Celeron, 
with  a party  of  soldiers,  to  place  plates  of  lead,  on  which  were 
written  out  the  claims  of  the  French,  in  the  mounds  and  at  the 
mouths  of  the  rivers.  These  were  heard  of  by  AA^illiam  Trent, 
an  Indian  commissioner,  sent  out  by  A^irginia  in  1752,  to  treat 
with  and  conciliate  the  Indians,  while  upon  the  Ohio,  and  men- 
tioned in  his  journal.  One  of  these  plates  was  found  with  the 
inscription  partly  defaced.  It  bears  date  August  16th,  1749,  and 
a copy  of  the  inscription,  with  particular  account,  was  sent  by 
De  AVitt  Clinton  to  the  American  A.ntiquarian  Society,  among 
whose  journals  it  may  now  be  found.  These  measures  did  not, 
however,  deter  the  English  from  going  on  with  their  explora- 
tions. 

Ill  February,  1751,  Christopher  Gist  was  sent  by  the  Ohio 
Company  to  examine  its  lands.  He  went  to  a village  of  the 
Twigtwees,  on  the  hliami,  tibout  150  miles  above  its  mouth. 
From  there  he  went  down  the  Ohio  Iliver  nearly  to  the  falls,  at 
the  present  city  of  Louisville,  and  in  November  he  commenced 
a survey  of  the  company’s  lands.  In  1751,  General  Andrew 
Lewis  commenced  some  surveys  in  the  Greenbrier  country,  on 
behalf  of  the  company  already  mentioned.  Meanwhile  the 
French  were  busy  in  preparing  their  forts  for  defence,  and  in 
opening  roads.  In  1752  having  heard  of  the  trading  houses  on 
the  Miami  Iliver,  they,  assisted  by  the  Ottawas  and  Chippewas, 
attacked  it,  and,  after  a severe  battle,  in  which  fourteen  of  the 
natives  were  killed  and  others  wounded,  captured  the  garrison. 
The  traders  were  earried  away  to  Canada,  and  one  account  says 
several  were  burned.  This  fort,  or  trading  house  was  called  by 
the  English  writers  Pickawillany.  A memorial  of  the  king’s 
ministers  refers  to  it  as  “ Pickawellanes,  in  the  center  of  the  terri- 
tory between  Ohio  and  the  AA’^ahash.”  This  was  the  first  blood 
shed  between  the  French  and  English,  and  occurred  near  the 
present  city  of  Piqua,  Ohio.  The  English  were  determined  on 
their  part  to  purchase  a title  from  the  Indians  of  lands  which 
they  wished  to  occupy,  and  in  the  sj)ring  of  1752,  Messrs.  Fry,* 
Lomax  and  Patton,  were  sent  from  Virginia  to  hold  a conference 
with  the  natives  at  Logstown,  to  learn  what  they  objected  to  in 
the  treaty  at  Lancaster,  and  to  settle  all  difiiculti^'s.  On  the  9th 
June  the  commissioners  met  the  red  men  at  Logstown.  This 
was  a village  seventeen  miles  below  Pittsburgh,  upon  the  north 
side  of  the  Ohio.  Here  had  been  a trading  point  for  many  years, 
but  it  was  abandoned  by  the  Indians  in  1750.  At  first  the 
Indians  declined  to  recognize  the  treaty  of  Lanca.stcr,  but  the 
commi.ssioners  taking  aside  Alontour,  the  interpreter,  who  was  a 
son  of  the  famous  (’atherine  Montour,  and  a c.hief  among  the  si.x 
nations,  l)ciiig  three-fourths  of  Indian  blood,  through  his  inlluencc 

».\florwarils  Cimim.Tiulcr-in-fliicf  over  Wa.sliiiigton,  nt  tlie  commencement  of  tlio 
rreiicli  War  of  1T75. 


HISTORY  OF  CHRISTIAN  COUNTY,  ILLINOIS. 


1? 


an  agreement  was  effected,  and  upon  the  13th  of  June  they  all 
united  in  signing  a deed,  conlirmiug  the  Lancaster  treaty  in  its 
fullest  extent.  Meanwhile  the  powers  beyond  the  seas  w'ere  try- 
ing to  out-raanoeuver  each  other,  and  were  professing  to  be  at 
peace.  The  English  generally  outwitted  the  Indians,  and  secured 
themselves,  as  they  thought,  by  their  politic  conduct.  But  the 
French,  in  this  as  in  all  cases,  proved  that  they  knew  best  how 
to  manage  the  natives.  While  these  measures  were  taken,  another 
treaty  with  the  wild  men  of  the  debatable  land  was  also  in  con- 
templation. And  in  September,  1753,  William  Fairfax  met  their 
deputies  at  Winchester,  Virginia,  where  he  concluded  a treaty. 
In  the  month  following,  however,  a more  satisfactory  interview 
took  place  at  Carlisle,  betw'een  the  representatives  of  the  Iroquois, 
Delawares,  Shawnees,  Twigtw’ees,  and  Wyandots,  and  the  com- 
missioners of  Pennsylvania,  Richard  Peters,  Isaac  Norris,  and 
Benjamin  Franklin.  Soon  after  this,  no  satisfaction  being 
obtained  from  the  Ohio,  either  as  to  the  force,  position,  or  pur- 
poses of  the  French,  Robert  Dinwiddie,  then  Governor  of  Vir- 
ginia, determined  to  send  to  them  another  messenger,  and  learn 
if  possible  their  intentions.  For  this  purpose  he  selected  a young 
surveyor,  Avho,  at  the  age  of  nineteen  had  attained  the  rank  of 
major,  and  whose  previous  life  had  inured  him  to  hardships  and 
w'oodland  ways;  while  his  courage,  cool  judgment,  and  firm  will, 
all  fitted  him  for  such  a mission.  This  personage  was  no  other 
than  the  illustrious  George  Washington,  who  then  held  consider- 
able interest  in  western  lands.  He  was  twenty-one  years  old  at 
the  time  of  the  appointment.*  Taking  Gist  as  a guide,  the  two, 
accompanied  by  four  servitors,  set  out  on  their  perilous  march. 
They  left  Will’s  Creek,  wdierc  Cumberland  now'  is,  on  the  15th 
of  November,  and  on  the  22d  reached  the  Monongahcla,  about 
ten  miles  above  the  fork.  From  there  they  went  toLogstown, 
where  Washington  had  a long  conference  with  the  chiefs  of  the 
six  nations.  Here  he  learned  the  position  of  the  French,  and 
also  that  they  had  determined  not  to  come  down  the  river  until 
the  following  spring.  The  Indians  were  non-committal,  they 
deeming  a neutral  position  the  safest.  ■ Washington,  finding  no- 
thing could  be  done,  went  on  to  Venango,  an  old  Indian  town 
at  the  mouth  of  the  French  Creek.  Here  the  French  had  a fort 
called  Fort  Machault.  On  the  11th  of  December  he  reached  the 
fort  at  the  head  of  French  Creek.  Here  he  delivered  Gover-  | 
nor  Dinw'iddie’s  letter,  received  his  answer,  and  upon  the  16th  i 
set  out  upon  his  return  journey  with  no  one  but  Gist,  his  guide, 
and  a few  Indians  who  still  remained  true  to  him.  They  reached 
home  in  safety  on  the  Gth  of  January,  1754.  From  the  letter  of 
St.  Pierre,  commander  of  the  French  fort,  sent  by  Washington 
to  Governor  Dinwdddie,  it  w'as  perfectly  clear  that  the  French 
would  not  yield  the  West  wdthout  a struggle.  Active  preparations 
were  at  once  made  in  all  the  English  colonies  for  the  coming  con- 
flict, while  the  French  finished  their  fort  at  Venango  and  strength- 
ened their  lines  of  fortifications  to  be  in  readiness.  The  Old 
Dominion  was  all  alive.  Virginia  w'as  the  center  of  great  activities. 
Volunteers  W'ere  called  for,  and  from  the  neigliboring  colonies 
men  rallied  to  the  conflict,  and  everywhere  along  the  Potomac 
men  were  enlisting  under  the  Governor’s  proclamation, — which 
promised  two  hundred  thousand  acres  on  the  Ohio.  Along  this 
river  they  were  gathering  a.s  far  as  Will’s  Creek,  and  far  beyond 
this  point,  whither  Trent  had  come  for  assistance,  for  his  little 
band  of  forty  one  men,  who  w’ere  working  aw'ay  in  hunger  and 

♦Sparks’  Washington,  Vol.  ii.,  pp.  428-447. 


want,  to  fortify  that  point  at  the  fork  of  the  Ohio,  to  which  both 
imrties  were  looking  with  deep  interest.  The  first  birds  of  spring 
filled  the  forest  w’ith  their  songs.  The  swift  river  rolled  by  the 
Allegheny  hillsides,  swollen  by  the  melting  snows  of  spring  and 
April  showers.  The  leaves  were  appearing,  a few  Indian  scouts 
were  seen,  but  no  enemy  seemed  near  at  hand,  and  all  was  so 
quiet  that  Frazier,  an  old  Indian  trader,  who  had  been  left  by 
Trent  in  command  of  the  new  fort,  ventured  to  his  home  at  the 
mouth  of  Turtle  Creek,  ten  miles  up  the  Monongahela.  But 
though  all  was  so  quiet  iu  that  wilderness,  keen  eyes  had  seen  the 
low  entrenchment  that  was  rising  at  the  fork,  and  swift  feet  had 
borne  the  news  of  it  up  the  valley,  and  on  the  morning  of  the 
j 17th  of  April,  Ensign  Ward,  who  then  had  charge  of  it,  saw  upon 
the  Allegheny  a sight  that  made  his  heart  sink; — sixty  batteaux 
and  three  hundred  canoes,  filled  with  men,  and  laden  deep  with 
cannon  and  stores.  The  fort  was  called  on  to  surrender  : by  the 
advice  of  the  Half-King,  Ward  tried  to  evade  the  act,  but  it 
would  not  do.  Contrecoeur,  with  a thousand  men  about  himj 
said  ‘ Evacuate,’  and  the  ensign  dared  not  refuse.  That  evening 
he  supped  with  his  captor,  and  the  next  day  was  bowed  off  by  the 
Frenchman,  and,  with  his  men  and  tools,  marched  up  the  Mon- 
onghahela.”  The  French  and  Indian  war  had  begun.  The 
treaty  of  Aix  la  Chapelle,  in  1748,  had  left  the  foundries  between 
the  French  and  English  possessions  unsettled,  and  the  events 
already  narrated  show  that  the  French  were  determined  to  hold 
the  country  w'atered  by  the  INIississippi  and  its  tributaries : w'hile 
the  English  laid  claim  to  the  country  by  virtue  of  the  discoveries 
by  the  Cabots,  and  claimed  all  the  country  from  New  Foundland 
to  Florida,  and  from  the  Atlantic  to  the  Pacific.  The  first  deci- 
sive blow'  had  been  struck,  and  the  first  attempt  of  the  English, 
through  the  Ohio  Company,  to  occupy  these  lands  had  resulted 
disastrously  to  them.  The  French  and  Indians  immediately 
completed  the  fortifications  begun  at  the  fork,  which  they  had  so 
easily  captured,  and  when  completed  gave  to  the  fort  the  name 
of  Du  Quesne.  Washington  was  at  Will’s  creek,  when  the  news 
of  the  capture  of  the  fort  arrived.  He  at  once  departed  to  re- 
capture it.  On  his  w’ay  he  entrenched  himself  at  a place  called 
the  “Meadows,”  w'here  he  erected  a fort  called  by  him  Fort 
Necessity.  From  there  he  surprised  and  captured  a force  of 
French  and  Indians  marching  against  him,  but  was  soon  after 
attacked  by  a much  superior  force,  and  was  obliged  to  yield  on 
the  morning  of  July  4th.  He  was  allow'ed  to  return  to  Virginia. 

The  English  Government  immediately  planned  four  cam- 
paigns, one  against  Fort  Da  Quesne,  one  against  Nova  Scotia, 
one  against  Fort  Niagara,  and  one  against  Crown  Point.  These 
occurred  during  1755-6,  and  W'ere  not  successful  in  driving  the 
French  from  their  possessions.  The  expedition  against  Fort  Du 
Quesne  was  led  by  the  famous  Braddock,  who,  refusing  to  listen 
to  the  advice  of  Washington  and  those  acquainted  with  Indian 
warfare,  suffered  an  inglorious  defeat.  This  occurred  on  the 
morning  of  July  9th,  and  is  generally  know'n  as  the  battle  of 
Monongahela  or  “ Braddock’s  defeat.”  The  war  continued 
through  various  vicissitudes  through  the  years  1756-7,  when, 
at  the  commencement  of  1758,  in  accordance  with  the  plans  of 
William  Pitt,  then  secretary  of  state,  afterwards  Lord  Chatham, 
active  preparations  were  made  to  carry  on  the  war.  Three 
expeditions  w'ere  planned  for  this  year:  one  under  General 
Amherst,  against  Louisburg ; another  under  Abercrombie, 
against  Fort  Ticonderf'ga  ; and  a third  under  General  Forbes, 


IS 


HISrORY  OF  CIIRISIIAN  COUNTY,  ILLINOIS. 


against  Fort  Du  Quesne.  On  the  26th  of  July,  Louisburg  j 
surrendered  after  a desperate  resistance  of  more  than  forty  days,  | 
and  the  eastern  part  of  the  Canadian  possessions  fell  into  the  j 
hands  of  the  British.  Abercrombie  captured  Fort  Frontenac, 
and  when  the  expedition  against  Fort  Du  Quesne,  of  w’hich  j 
"Washington  had  the  active  command,  arrived  there,  it  was 
found  in  flames  and  deserted.  The  English  at  once  took 
possession,  rebuilt  the  fort,  and  in  honor  of  their  illustrious 
statesman,  changed  the  name  to  Fort  Pitt. 

The  great  object  of  the  campaign  of  1759,  was  the  reduction 
of  Canada.  General  Wolfe  was  to  lay  siege  to  Quebec  ; Am- 
herst was  to  reduce  Ticonderoga  and  Crown  Point;  and  General 
Prldeaux  was  to  capture  Niagara.  This  latter  place  was  taken 
in  July,  but  the  gallant  Prideaux  lost  his  life.  Amherst  cap- 
tured Ticonderoga  and  Crown  Point,  without  a blow’ ; and 
Wolfe,  after  making  the  memorable  ascent  to  the  plains  of  1 
Abraham,  on  September  13th,  defeated  Montcalm,  and  on  the 
18th  the  city  capitulated.  In  this  engagement,  Montcalm  and 
^Volfe  both  lost  their  lives.  De  Levi,  Montcalm’s  successor, 
marched  to  Siilery,  three  miles  above  the  city,  with  the  purpose 
of  defeating  the  English,  and  there,  on  the  28th  of  the  following 
April,  was  fought  one  of  the  bloodiest  battles  of  the  French 
and  Indian  war.  It  resulted  in  the  defeat  of  the  French,  and 
the  fall  of  the  city  of  Montreal.  The  Governor  signed  a capitu- 
lation by  which  the  whole  of  Canada  was  surrendered  to  the 
English.  This  practically  concluded  the  war,  but  it  Avas  not 
until  1763  that  the  treaties  of  peace  between  France  and  Eng- 
land Avere  signed.  This  Avas  done  on  the  10th  of  February  of 
that  year,  and  under  its  provisions  all  the  country  cast  of  the 
^Mississippi  and  north  of  the  Iberville  rie’cr  in  Louisiana,  AA’cre 
ceded  to  England.  At  the  same  time,  Rpain  ceded  Florida  to 
Great  Britain. 

On  the  13th  of  September,  1760,  Major  Bobert  Rogers  Avas 
sent  from  Montreal  to  take  charge  of  Detroit,  the  only  remaining 
French  post  in  the  territory.  He  arrived  there  on  the  9th  of 
November,  and  summoned  the  place  to  surrender.  At  first  the 
commander  of  the  post,  Beletre,  refused,  but  on  the  29th,  hearing 
of  the  continued  defeat  of  the  French  army,  surrendered.  The 
North-Avest  Territory  Avas  noAV  entirely  under  the  English  rule. 

In  1762,  France,  by  a .secret  treaty,  ceded  L misiana  to  Spain, 
to  prevent  it  falling  into  the  hands  of  the  English,  Avho  Avere 
becoming  masters  of  the  entire  West.  The  next  year  the  treaty 
of  Paris,  signed  at  Fontainbleau,  ga\’C  to  the  English  the  domi- 
nion in  (jucstioM.  Twenty  years  after,  by  the  treaty  of  peace 
betAvecn  the  United  States  and  England,  that  part  of  Canada 
lying  .south  and  Avest  of  the  great  lakes,  con)prehcnding  a large 
territory,  Avas  acknoAV lodged  to  be  a portion  of  the  United  States. 

In  1803  Louisiana  avus  ceded  l>y  Spain  back  to  France,  and  by 
France  sold  to  the  United  States.  By  the  treaty  of  Paris,  the 
regions  cast  of  the  Mississip{)i,  including  all  these  and  other 
towns  of  the  north-Avest,  Avere  given  over  to  England  ; but  tbey 
do  not  a|)pear  to  have  been  taken  possession  of  until  1765,  Avhen 
Captain  Stirling,  in  the  name  of  the  Majesty  of  England,  cstab- 
lislu'd  liimsclf  at  Fort  Chartres,  bearing  Avith  him  the  proclama- 
tion f)f  General  Giige,  dated  Deecunber  30th,  1761,  Avhich  j)ro- 
mised  religions  freedom  to  all  Catholics  Avho  AVori-hi|)ed  here 
and  the  right  to  leaA’c  the  country  Avitli  their  eflects  if  they 
Avi'^hed,  or  to  remain  AAotli  the  privileges  of  Engli>hmen.  During 
the  year;  1775  and  1776,  by  the  o])erations  of  land  eoinpanics 


and  the  perseverance  of  individuals,  seA’eral  settlements  Avere 
firmly  established  betAveen  the  Alleghenies  and  the  Ohio  river, 
and  Avestern  land  speculators  Avere  busy  in  Illinois  and  on  the 
Wabash.  At  a council  held  in  Kaskaskia,  on  July  5th,  1773, 
an  association  of  English  traders,  calling  themselves  the  “Illinois 
Land  Company,”  obtained  from  the  chiefs  of  the  Kaskaskia, 
Cahokia,  and  Peoria  tribes  tAA’o  large  tracts  of  land  lying  on  the 
east  side  of  the  Mississipj)i  riA’er  south  of  the  Illinois.  In  1775 
a merchant  from  the  Illinois  countr}^  named  Viviat,  came  to 
Post  Vincennes  as  the  agent  of  the  association  called  the  “Wa- 
bash I.,and  Company.’'  On  the  8th  of  October  he  obtained  from 
' eleven  PiankeshaAV  chiefs  a deed  for  37,497,600  acres  of  land. 
This  deed  Avas  signed  by  the  grantors,  attested  by  a number  of 
the  inhabitants  of  Vincennes,  and  afterAvard  recorded  in  the  office 
of  a Notary  Public  at  Kaskaskia.  This  and  other  land  compa- 
nies had  extensive  schemes  for  the  colonization  of  the  West;  but 
all  Avere  frustrated  by  the  breaking  out  of  the  Revolutionary 
Avar.  On  the  20th  of  April,  1780,  the  tAA’o  companies  named 
consolidated  under  the  name  of  the  “United  Illinois  and  Wabash 
Land  Company;”  they  afterAvards  made  strenuous  efforts  to 
have  these  grants  sanctioned  by  Congress,  but  all  signally  failed. 
When  the  AA'ar  of  the  Revolution  commenced,  Kentucky  Avas  an 
unorganized  country,  there  being  settlements  Avithin  her  borders. 

In  Hutchins’  Topography  of  Virginia,  it  is  stated  that  at  that 
time  Kaskaskia  contained  80  houses,  and  nearly  1,000  Avhite  and 
black  inhabitants,  the  Avhites  being  a little  the  more  numerous. 
Cahokia  contained  fifty  houses,  300  Avhite  inhabitants,  and  80 
negroes.  There  Avere  east  of  the  Mississippi  river,  about  the  year 
1771 — Avhen  these  observations  Avere  made — “300  Avhite  men 
capable  of  bearing  arms,  and  230  negroes.”  From  1775  until 
the  expedition  of  Clark,  nothing  is  recorded  and  nothing  knoAvn 
of  these  settlements,  save  Avhat  is  contained  in  a report  made  by 
a committee  to  Congress  in  June,  1778.  From  it  the  folloAving 
extract  is  made : “ Near  the  mouth  of  the  river  Kaskaskia,  there 
is  a village  Avhich  appears  to  have  contained  nearly  eighty  fami- 
lies from  the  beginning  of  the  late  Revolution  ; there  are  tAvelve 
families  at  a small  village  at  La  Prairie  Du  Rochers,  and  nearly 
fifty  families  at  the  Cahokia  village.  There  arc  also  four  or  five 
families  at  Fort  Chartres  and  St.  Philip’s,  Avhich  is  fiv’C  miles 
further  up  the  river.”  St.  Louis  had  been  settled  in  February, 
1764,  and  at  this  time  contained,  including  its  neighboring  toAvns, 
over  six  huntlred  Avhite  and  one  hnndretl  and  fifty  negroes.  It 
must  be  remembered  that  all  the  country  Avest  of  the  Mississipjii 
Avas  under  French  rule,  and  remained  so  until  ceded  back  to 
Spain,  its  original  OAvner,  Avho  aftenvards  sold  it  and  the  country 
including  Ncav  Orleans  to  the  United  States.  At  Detroit,  there 
Avero,  according  to  Captain  Carver,  Avho  Avas  in  the  north-Avest 
from  1768  to  1776,  more  than  one  hundred  houses,  and  the  riA’cr 
Avas  settled  for  more  than  tAventy  miles,  although  poorly  culti- 
vated, the  pco])le  being  engaged  in  the  Indian  trade. 

On  the  breaking  out  of  the  Revolution,  the  British  held  CA'ery 
post  of  importance  in  the  West.  Kentucky  Avas  foimied  as  a 
component  part  of  Virginia,  and  the  sturdy  pioneers  of  the  West, 
aliA'c  to  their  interests,  and  recognizing  the  great  benefits  of 
obtaining  the  control  of  the  trade  in  this  part  of  the  Ncav  World, 
held  steadily  to  their  purposes,  and  tho.«e  Avithin  the  oommon- 
Avealth  of  Kentucky  proceeded  to  exercise  their  civil  privileges 
by  electing  John  Todd  and  Richard  GalhiAvay  burgesses,  to  rep- 
resent them  in  the  a.ssemhly  of  the  present  state.  The  chief  spirit 


HISTORY  OF  CHRISTIAN  COUNTY,  ILLINOIS. 


19 


in  this  far-out  colony,  who  had  represented  her  the  year  previous 
east  of  the  mountains,  was  now  meditating  a move  of  unequalled 
boldness.  He  had  been  watching  the  movements  of  the  British 
throughout  the  north-west,  and  understood  their  whole  plan. 
He  saw  it  was  through  their  possession  of  the  posts  at  Detroit, 
Vincennes,  Kaskaskia,  and  other  places,  which  would  give  them 
easy  access  to  the  various  Indian  tribes  in  the  north-west,  that 
the  British  intended  to  penetrate  the  country  from  the  north  and 
south,  and  annihilate  the  frontier  fortresses.  This  moving,  ener- 
getic man  was  Colonel,  afterwards  General  George  Rogers  Clark. 
He  knew  that  the  Indians  were  not  unanimously  in  accord  with 
the  Enslish,  and  he  was  convinced  that,  could  the  British  be 
defeated  and  expelled  from  the  north-west,  the  natives  might  be 
easily  awed  into  neutrality;  by  spies  sent  for  the  purpose,  he 
satisfied  himself  that  the  enterprise  against  the  Illinois  settle- 
ments might  easily  succeed.  Patrick  Henry  was  Governor  of 
Virginia,  and  at  once  entered  heartily  into  Clark’s  plans.  The 
.«ame  plan  had  before  been  agitated  in  the  Colonial  Assemblies ; 
but  there  was  no  one  until  Clark  came  who  was  sufficiently 
acquainted  with  the  condition  of  affairs  at  the  scene  of  action  to 
be  able  to  guide  them. 

Clark,  having  satisfied  the  Virginia  leaders  of  the  feasibility 
of  his  plan,  received  on  the  second  of  January  two  sets  of  instruc- 
tions: one  secret,  the  other  open.  The  latter  authorized  him  to 
proceed  to  enlist  seven  companies  to  go  to  Kentucky,  subject  to 
his  orders,  and  to  serve  three  months  from  their  arrival  in  the 
west.  The  secret  order  authorized  him  to  arm  the  troops,  to 
procure  his  powder  and  lead  of  General  Hand,  at  Pittsburg,  and 
to  proceed  at  once  to  subjugate  the  country. 

With  these  instructions  Clark  repaired  to  Pittsburg,  choosing 
rather  to  raise  his  men  west  of  the  mountains.  Here  he  raised 
three  companies  and  several  private  volunteers.  Clark  at  length 
commenced  his  descent  of  the  Ohio,  wdiich  he  navigated  as  far  as 
the  falls,  Avhere  he  took  possession  of  and  fortified  Corn  Island, 
between  the  present  sites  of  Louisville,  Kentucky,  and  New 
Albany,  Indiana.  Remains  of  this  fortification  may  yet  be 
found.  At  this  place  he  apjoointed  Col.  Bowman  to  meet  him 
Avith  such  recruits  as  had  reached  Kentucky  by  the  southern 
route.  Here  he  announced  to  the  men  their  real  destination. 
On  the  24th  of  June  he  embarked  on  the  river,  his  destination 
being  Fort  Massac  or  Massacre,  and  thence  marched  direct  to  Kas- 
kaskia.  The  march  Avas  accomplished  and  the  town  reached  on 
the  evening  of  July  4.  He  captured  the  fort  near  the  village, 
and  soon  after  the  village  itself,  by  surprise,  without  the  loss  of 
a single  man  or  killing  any  of  the  enemy.  Clark  told  the  natives 
that  they  Avere  at  perfect  liberty  to  Avorship  as  they  pleased,  and 
to  take  whichever  side  of  the  conflict  they  Avould,  and  he  Avould 
protect  them  from  any  barbarity  from  British  or  Indian  foes. 
This  had  the  desired  effect,  and  the  inhabitants  at  once  SAA'orc 
allegiance  to  the  A merican  arms,  and  Avheii  Clark  desired  to  go 
to  Cahokia  on  the  Gth  of  July,  they  accompanied  him,  and 
through  their  influence  the  inhabitants  of  the  place  surrendered. 
Tims  tAvo  important  posts  in  Illinois  passed  from  the  hands  of 
the  English  into  the  possession  of  Virginia.  During  the  year 
(1779)  the  famous  Land  LaAvs”  of  Virginia  Avere  passed.  The 
passage  of  these  laAVS  Avas  of  more  consequence  to  the  jiioneers  of 
Kentucky  and  the  north-AA'est  than  the  gaining  of  a few  Indian 
conflicts.  These  grants  confirmed  in  the  main  all  grants  made, 
and  guaranteed  to  actual  settlers  their  rights  and  privileges. 


DIVISION  OF  THE  NORTH-AVEST  TERRITORY. 

The  increased  emigration  to  the  nortli-Avest,  and  extent  of  the 
domain,  made  it  very  difficult  to  conduct  the  ordinary  operations 
of  government,  and  rendered  the  efficient  action  of  courts  almost 
impossible ; to  remedy  this  it  Avas  deemed  advisable  to  divide  the 
territory  for  civil  purposes.  Congress,  in  1800,  appointed  a 
committee  to  examine  the  question  and  report  some  means  for 
its  solution. 

This  committee  on  the  3d  of  March  reported:  “In  the  three 
Avestern  countries  there  has  been  but  one  court  having  cognizance 
of  crimes,  in  five  years,  and  the  immunity  Avhich  offenders  expe- 
rience attracts,  as  to  an  asylum,  the  most  vile  and  abandoned 
criminals,  and  at  the  same  time  deters  useful  citizens  from  making 
settlements  in  such  society.  The  extreme  necessity  of  judiciary 
attention  and  assistance  is  experienced  in  civil  as  Avell  as  in 
criminal  cases,  '-i-  * -■•  * To  remedy  this  cauI  it  is  expedient  to 
the  committee  that  a division  of  said  territory  into  two  distinct 
and  separate  governments  should  be  made,  and  that  such  division 
be  made  by  beginning  at  the  mouth  of  the  Great  IMiami  river, 
running  directly  north  until  it  intersects  the  boundary  between 
the  United  States  and  Canada.” 

The  report  was  accepted  by  Congress,  and,  in  accordance  Avith 
its  suggestions,  that  body  passed  an  act  extinguishing  the  north- 
Avest  territory,  Avliich  act  Avas  approved  May  7th.  Among  its 
provisions  Avere  these  : 

“That  from  and  after  July  4 next,  all  that  part  of  the  terri- 
tory of  the  United  States  north-west  of  the  Ohio  riA'er,  Avhich 
lies  to  the  Avestward  of  a line  beginning  at  a point  opposite  the 
mouth  of  the  Kentucky  river,  and  running  thence  to  Fort 
Recovery,  and  thence  North  until  it  shall  intersect  the  terri- 
torial line  between  the  United  States  and  Canada,  shall,  for  the 
purpose  of  temporary  government,  constitute  a separate  territory 
and  bo  called  the  Indian  Territory.” 

Gen.  Harrison  (afterwards  President),  Avas  appointed  governor 
of  the  Indian  Territory,  and  during  his  residence  at  Vincennes, 
he  made  several  important  treaties  Avith  the  Indians,  thereby 
gaining  large  tracts  of  land.  The  next  year  is  memorable  in 
the  history  of  the  w'est  for  the  purchase  of  Louisiana  from 
France  by  the  United  States  for  $15,000,000.  Thus  by  a peace- 
ful manner  the  domain  of  the  United  States  Avas  extended  over 
a large  tract  of  country  west  of  the  Mississippi,  and  Avas  for  a 
time  under  the  jurisdiction  of  the  north-Avestern  government. 
The  next  year  Gen.  Harrison  obtained  additional  grants  of  land 
from  the  various  Indian  nations  in  Indiana  and  the  present 
limits  of  Illinois,  and  on  the  18th  of  August,  1804,  completed  a 
treaty  at  St.  Louis,  Avhereby  over  51,000,000  acres  of  land  Avere 
obtained. 

During  this  year.  Congress  granted  a toAvnship  of  land  for 
the  support  of  a college,  and  began  to  offer  inducements  for 
settlers  in  these  Avilds,  and  the  country  now  comprising  the 
state  of  Michigan  began  to  fill  rapidly  Avith  settlers  along  its 
southern  borders.  This  same  year  a law  Avas  passed  organizing 
the  south-Avest  territory,  dividing  it  into  two  portions, — the  terri- 
tory of  NeAv  Orleans,  Avhich  city  Avas  made  the  seat  of  govern- 
ment, and  the  district  of  Louisiana,  Avhich  Avas  annexed  to  the 
domain  by  General  Harrison. 

On  the  11th  of  January,  1805,  the  territory  of  ^lichigan  was 
formed,  and  Wm.  Hull  Avas  appointed  governor,  Avith  hcadquar- 


20 


HISTORY  OF  CHRISTIAN  COUNTY,  ILLINOIS. 


ters  at  Detroit,  the  change  to  take  elFect  June  30th.  On  the 
llth  of  that  month,  a fire  occurred  at  Detroit,  which  destroyed 
almost  every  l)uilding  in  the  2Jace.  When  the  officers  of  the 
new  territory  reached  the  post,  they  found  it  in  ruins,  and  tlie 
inhabitants  scattered  throughout  the  country.  Rebuilding,  how- 
ever, was  commenced  at  once.  While  this  was  being  done, 
Indiana  passed  to  the  second  grade  of  government.  In  1809, 
Indiana  territory  was  divided,  and  the  territory  of  Illinois  was 
formed,  the  seat  of  government  being  fixed  at  Kaskaskia,  and 
through  her  General  Assembly  had  obtained  large  tracts  of  land 
from  the  Indian  tribes.  To  all  this  the  celebrated  Indian 
Tecumthe,  or  Tecumseh,  vigorously  protested,*  and  it  was  the 
main  cause  of  his  attemj^ts  to  unite  the  various  Indian  tribes  in 
a conflict  with  the  settlers.  He  visited  the  principal  tribes,  and 
succeeded  in  forming  an  alliance  with  most  of  the  tribes,  and 
then  joined  the  cause  of  the  British  in  the  memorable  war  of 
181’d.  Tecumseh  was  killed  at  the  battle  of  the  Thames. 
Tecumseh  was,  in  many  respects,  a noble  character, — frank  and 
honest  in  his  intercourse  with  General  Harrison  and  the  settlers  ; 
in  war,  brave  and  chivalrous.  His  treatment  of  j^risoners  was 
humane.  In  the  summer  of  1812,  Perry’s  victory  on  Lake  Erie 
occurred,  and  shortly  after,  active  preparations  were  made  to 
caj)ture  Fort  Malden.  On  the  27th  of  September,  the  American 
army,  under  command  of  General  Harrison,  set  sail  for  the 
shores  of  Canada,  and,  in  a few  hours,  stood  around  the  ruins  of 
^lalden,  from  which  the  British  army  under  Proctor  had  re- 
treated to  Sandwich,  intending  to  make  its  way  to  the  heart  of 
Canada  by  the  valley  of  the  Thames.  On  the  29th,  General 
Harrison  was  at  Sandwich,  and  General  McArthur  took  posses- 
sion of  Detroit  and  the  territory  of  Michigan.  On  the  2il  of 
October  following,  the  American  army  began  their  pursuit  of 
Proctor,  whom  they  overtook  on  the  5th,  and  the  battle  of  the 
Thames  followed.  The  victory  'was  decisive,  and  practically 
closed  the  war  in  the  north  west.  In  180G,  occurred  Burr’s 
insurrection.  He  took  possession  of  an  island  in  the  Ohio,  and 
was  charged  with  treasonable  intentions  against  the  Federal  gov- 
ernment. His  cai)ture  was  effected  by  General  'Wilkinson,  acting 
under  instruction  of  President  Jefferson.  Burr  was  brought  to 
trial  on  a charge  of  treason,  and,  after  a i)rolonged  trial,  during 
which  he  defendeil  himself  witli  great  ability,  he  was  acquitted 
of  the  charge  of  treason.  His  subsequent  career  was  obscure, 
and  he  died  in  183G.  Had  Ids  scheme  succeeded,  it  would  be 
interesting  to  know  what  effect  it  would  have  had  on  the  north- 
western territory.  The  battle  of  the  Thames  was  fljught  October 
Gth,  1813.  It  effectually  closed  hostilities  in  the  north-west, 
although  peace  was  not  restored  until  July  22d,  1814,  when  a 
treaty  was  made  at  Greenville,  by  General  Harrison,  between 
tlie  Uidted  States  and  the  Indian  tribes.  On  the  24th  of  De- 
cend)cr,  the  treaty  of  Ghent  was  signed  by  the  representatives 
of  England  and  tlie  United  States.  This  treaty  was  followed 
the  ne.xt  year  by  treaties  with  various  Indian  tribes  throughout 
the  north-west,  and  quiet  was  again  restored. 

I’nrSDNT  C.'ONDITIOX  OF  TIIF  XOUTII-WFST. 

In  the  former  chajiters  we  have  traced  briefly  the  discoveries, 
.“ctthunenfs,  wars,  and  most  inqiortant  events  which  have  occurred 
in  tlie  large  an  a of  country  denondiiatcd  the  north  west,  and  wc 

• Ajr»»  rirfui  S't.ilo 


now  turn  to  the  contemiJatiou  of  its  growth  and  prosperity.  Its 
people  are  among  the  most  intelligent  and  enterprising  in  the 
Union.  The  population  is  steadily  increasing,  the  arts  and 
sciences  are  gaining  a stronger  foothold,  the  trade  area  of  the 
region  is  becoming  daily  more  extended,  and  we  have  been 
largely  exenq:»t  from  the  financial  calamities  which  have  nearly 
wrecked  communities  on  the  sea-board,  dependent  wholly  on 
foreign  commerce  or  domestic  manufacture.  Agriculture  is  the 
leading  feature  in  our  industries.  This  vast  domain  has  a sort 
of  natural  geographical  border,  save  where  it  melts  away  to  the 
southward  in  the  cattle  raising  districts  of  the  south-west.  The 
leading  interests  will  be  the  growth  of  the  food  of  the  world,  in 
which  branch  it  has  already  outstripped  all  competitors,  and 
our  great  rival  will  be  the  fertile  fields  of  Kansas,  Nebraska^ 
Colorado,  Texas  and  New  Mexico. 

To  attempt  to  give  statistics  of  grain  j^roductions  for  1880 
would  require  more  space  than  our  work  would  permit  of. 
Manufacturing  has  now  attained  in  the  chief  cities  a foothold 
that  bids  fair  to  render  the  north-west  independent  of  the  outside 
world.  Nearly  our  whole  region  has  a distribution  of  coal  mea- 
sure which  will  in  time  support  the  manufactures  necessary  to 
our  comfort  and  prosperity.  As  to  transportation,  the  chief 
factor  in  the  production  of  all  articles  except  food,  no  section  is 
so  magnificently  endowed,  and  our  facilities  are  yearly  increasing 
beyond  those  of  any  other  region. 

The  j^rincipal  trade  and  manufacturing  centres  of  the  great 
north-west  arc  Chicago,  St.  Louis,  Cincinnati,  Indianapolis,  De- 
troit, Cleveland  and  Toledo,  with  any  number  of  minor  cities 
and  towns  doing  a large  and  growing  business.  The  intelligence 
and  enterprise  of  its  {people  ; the  great  wealth  of  its  soil  and 
minerals  ; its  vast  inland  seas  and  navigable  rivers  ; its  magnifi- 
cent railroad  system  ; its  patriotism  and  love  of  country  will 
render  it  ever  loyal  in  the  future  as  in  the  past.  The  people  of 
the  Mississippi  Valley  arc  the  keystone  of  the  national  union 
and  national  jirosjierity. 


CHAPTER  II. 

BRIEF  HISTORICAL  SKETCH  OF  ILLINOIS. 

J iT  is  necessary  to  treat  the  history  of  this  great  State 

briefly.  And  first  we  direct  attention  to  the  di.s- 
covery  ami  exploration  of  the  ^liesmippi.  Hernando 
De  Soto,  cutting  his  way  through  the  wilderness  from 
Florida,  had  discovered  the  Mississipj)i  in  the  year  1542.  Wasted 
with  disease  and  privation,  he  only  reachexl  the  stream  to  die 
upon  its  banks,  and  the  remains  of  the  ambitious  and  iron-willed 
Sj)aniard  found  a fitting  resting-jflaco  beneath  the  waters  of  the 
great  river.  The  chief  incitement  to  Si)anish  discovciies  in 
America  was  a thirst  for  gold  and  treasure.  The  discovery  and 
settlement  of  the  IMlssissippi  Valley  on  the  part  of  the  French 
must,  on  the  other  hand,  be  ascribed  to  religious  zeal.  Jesuit 
missiouarics,  from  the  French  settlements  on  the  St.  Lawrence, 
early  penetrated  to  the  region  of  Lake  Huron.  It  was  from  the 
tribes  of  Indians  living  in  the  West,  that  intelligence  came  of  a 
noble  river  flowing  south.  IManpiette,  who  had  visited  the  Chip- 
])ewas  in  1GG8,  and  established  the  mission  of  St.  IMary,  now  the 
oldest  settlement  within  the  ])resent  commonwealth  of  Michigan, 
formed  the  purpose  of  its  e.xploratiou. 


HISTORY  OF  CHRISTIAN  COUNTY,  ILLINOIS. 


21 


In  company  with  Joliet,  a fur-trader  of  Quebec,  who  had  been  j 
designated  by  M.  Talon,  Intendent  of  Canada,  as  chieftain  of  the 
exploring  party,  and  five  French  voyageurs,  Marquette,  on  the 
10th  of  June,  1673,  set  out  on  the  expedition.  Crossing  the 
water-shed  dividing  the  Fox  from  the  Wisconsin  rivers,  their 
two  canoes  were  soon  launched  on  the  waters  of  the  latter. 
Seven  days  after,  on  the  17th  of  June,  they  joyfully  entered  the 
broad  current  of  the  Mississippi.  Stopping  six  days  on  the 
western  bank,  near  the  mouth  of  the  Des  Moines  River,  to  enjoy 
the  hospitalities  of  the  Illinois  Indians,  the  voyage  was  resumed, 
and  after  passing  the  perpendicular  rocks  above  Alton,  on  whose 
lofty  limestone  front  are  painted  frightful  representations  of 
monsters,  they  suddenly  came  upon  the  mouth  of  the  Missouri, 
known  by  its  Algonquin  name  of  Pekitanoni,  whose  swift  and 
turbid  current  threatened  to  engulf  their  frail  canoes.  The  site 
of  St.  Louis  was  an  unbroken  forest,  and  further  down,  the 
fertile  plain  bordering  the  river  reposed  in  peaceful  solitude,  as, 
early  in  July,  the  adventurers  glided  past  it.  They  continued 
their  voyage  to  a point  some  distance  below  the  mouth  of  the 
Arkansas,  and  then  retraced  their  course  up  the  river,  arriving 
at  their  Jesuit  Mission  at  the  head  of  Green  Bay,  late  in  Sep- 
tember. 

Robert,  Cavalier  de  La  Salle,  whose  illustrious  name  is  more 
intimately  connected  with  the  exploration  of  the  Mississippi  than 
that  of  any  other,  was  the  next  to  descend  the  river,  in  the  early 
part  of  the  year  1682.  At  its  mouth  he  erected  a column,  and 
decorating  it  with  the  arms  of  France,  placed  upon  it  the  follow- 
ing inscription : 

LOUIS  LE  GRAND,  ROI  DE  FRANCE  ET  DE  NAVARRE,  REGNE  ; 

LE  NEUVIEME  AVRIL,  1682. 

Thus  France,  by  right  of  discovery,  lay  claim  to  the  Missis-  j 
sippi  Valley,  the  fairest  portion  of  the  globe,  an  empire  in  extent,  j 
stretching  from  the  Gulf  to  the  Lakes,  and  from  the  farthest 
sources  of  the  Ohio  to  where  the  head  waters  of  the  Missouri  are 
lost  in  the  wild  solitudes  cf  the  Rocky  Mountains.  La  Salle 
bestowed  upon  the  territory  the  name  of  Louisiana,  in  honor  of 
the  King  of  France,  Louis  XIV. 

The  assertion  has  been  made  that  on  La  Salle’s  return  up  the 
river,  in  the  summer  of  1682,  a portion  of  the  party  were  left 
behind,  who  founded  the  villages  of  Kaskaskia  and  Cahokia,but 
the  statement  rests  on  no  substantial  foundation. 

THE  FIRST  SETTLEMENTS  IN  ILLINOIS. 

The  gentle  and  pious  Marquette,  devoted  to  his  purpose  of 
carrying  the  gospel  to  the  Indians,  had  established  a mission 
among  the  Illinois,  in  1675,  at  their  principal  town  on  the  river 
which  still  bears  their  name.  This  was  at  the  present  town  of 
Utica,  in  La  Salle  County.  In  the  presence  of  the  whole  tribe, 
by  whom,  it  is  recorded,  he  was  received  as  a celestial  visitor,  he 
displayed  the  sacred  pictures  of  the  Virgin  Mary,  raised  an  altar, 
and  said  mass.  On  Easter  Sunday,  after  celebrating  the  mystery 
of  the  Eucharist,  he  took  possession  of  the  land  in  the  name  of 
the  Saviour  of  the  world,  and  founded  the  “ IMission  of  the  Im- 
maculate Conception.”  The  town  was  called  Kaskaskia,  a name 
afterwards  transferred  to  another  locality. 

La  Salle,  while  making  preparations  to  descend  the  Missis- 
sippi, built  a fort,  on  the  Illinois  River,  below  the  Lake  of  Peoria, 
in  February,  IGSQ,  and  in  commemoration  of  his  misfortunes. 


bestowed  upon  it  the  name  of  CreveecEur,  “broken-hearted.” 
Traces  of  its  embankments  are  yet  discernible.  This  was  the 
first  military  occupation  of  Illinois.  There  is  no  evidence,  how- 
ever, that  settlement  was  begun  there  at  that  early  date. 

On  La  Salle’s  return  from  this  exploration  of  the  Mississippi, 
in  1682,  he  fortified  “Starved  Rock,”  whose  military  advantages 
had  previously  attracted  his  attention.  From  its  summit,  which 
rises  125  feet  above  the  waters  of  the  river,  the  valley  of  the 
Illinois  speeds  out  before  the  eye  in  a landscape  of  rarest  beauty. 
From  three  sides  it  is  inaccessible.  This  stronghold  received  the 
name  of  the  Fort  of  St.  Louis.  Twenty  thousand  allied  Indians 
gathered  around  it  on  the  fertile  plains.  The  fort  seems  to  have 
been  abandoned  soon  after  the  year  1700. 

Marquette’s  mission  (1675),  Crevecoeur  (1680),  and  the  Fort 
of  St.  Louis  (1682),  embrace,  so  fiir,  all  the  attempts  made 
toward  effecting  anything  like  a permanent  settlement  in  the 
Illinois  country.  Of  the  second  few'  traces  remain.  A line  of 
fortifications  may  be  faintly  traced,  and  that  is  all.  The  seed  of 
civilization  planted  by  the  Jesuit,  Marquette,  among  the  Illinois 


French  occupation — the  metropolis  of  the  Mississippi  Valley. 
The  southern  Kaskaskia  is  merely  the  northern  one  transplanted. 
The  IMission  of  the  Immaculate  Conception  is  the  same. 


FOUNDING  OF  KASKASKIA. 

On  the  death  of  Marquette,  he  was  succeeded  by  Alloiicz,  and 
he  by  Father  Gravier,  who  respectively  had  chai’ge  of  the  IVIis- 
sion  on  the  Illinois  River.  Gravier  is  said  to  have  been  the  first 
to  reduce  the  principles  of  the  Illinois  language  to  rules.  It  was 
also  he  who  succeeded  in  transferring  Marquette’s  Mission  from 
the  banks  of  the  Illinois  south  to  the  spot  where  stands  the 
modern  town  of  Kaskaskia,  and  where  it  Avas  destined  to  endure. 
The  exact  date  is  not  known,  but  the  removal  was  accomplished 
some  time  prior  to  the  year  1690,  though  probably  not  earlier 
than  1685. 

Father  Gravier  Avas  subsequently  recalled  to  MackinaAV,  and 
his  place  was  supplied  by  Bineteau  and  Pinet.  Pinet  proved  an 
eloquent  and  successful  minister,  and  his  chapel  Avas  often  in- 
sufficient to  hold  the  crowds  of  savages  Avho  gathered  to  hear  his 
AA'ords.  Bineteau  met  with  a fate  similar  to  that  Avhich  befell 
many  another  deA'oted  priest  in  his  heroic  labors  for  the  conver- 
sion of  the  savages.  He  accompanied  the  Kaskaskias  on  one  of 
their  annual  hunts  to  the  upper  Mississippi,  that  his  pastoral 
relations  might  not  suffer  intermission.  His  frame  Avas  poorly 
fitted  to  stand  the  exposure.  Parched  by  day  on  the  burning 
prairie,  chilled  by  heavy  dews  at  night,  noAV  panting  Avith  thirst 
and  again  aching  Avith  cold,  he  at  length  fell  a A’ictim  to  a vio- 
lent fev'er,  and  “ left  his  bones  on  the  Avilderness  range  of  the 
buffaloes.”  Pinet  shortly  after  folloAved  his  comrade. 

Father  Gabriel  INIorrest  had  prcAnously  arrived  at  Kaskaskia. 
He  w’as  a Jesuit.  He  had  carried  the  emblem  of  his  faith  to  the 
frozen  regions  of  Hudson’s  Bay,  and  had  been  taken  prisoner  by 
the  English,  and  upon  his  liberation  returned  to  America,  and 
joined  the  Kaskaskia  Mission.  After  the  deaths  of  Bineteau 
and  Pinet,  he  had  sole  charge  until  joined  by  Father  Mermet 
shortly  after  the  opening  of  the  eighteenth  century. 

The  deA'Otion  and  piety  of  Mermet  fully  equalled  those  of  his 
companion.  He  had  assisted  in  collecting  a village  of  Indians 


22 


HISTORY  OF  CHRISTIAN  COUNTY,  ILLINOIS. 


anJ  Canadians,  and  had  thus  founded  the  first  French  port  on 
the  Ohio,  or,  as  the  lower  part  of  the  river  was  then  called,  the 
Wabash.  At  the  Kaskaskia  Mission  his  gentle  virtues  and  fervid 
eloquence  seem  not  to  have  been  without  their  influence.  “At 
early  dawn  his  pupils  came  to  church  dressed  neatly  and 
modestly,  each  in  a large  deer-skin,  or  in  a robe  stitched  together 
from  several  skins.  After  receiving  lessons  they  chanted  canti- 
cles ; mass  was  then  said  in  jiresence  of  all  the  Christians  in  the 
place,  the  French  and  the  converts — the  wminen  on  one  side  and 
the  men  on  the  other.  From  prayer  and  instruction  the  mission- 
aries proceed  to  visit  the  sick  and  administer  medicine,  and  their 
skill  as  physicians  did  more  than  all  the  rest  to  win  confidence- 
In  the  afternoon  the  catechism  was  taught  in  the  presence  of  the 
young  and  the  old,  when  every  one,  without  distinction  of  rank 
or  age,  answered  the  questions  of  the  mi-ssionary.  At  evening 
all  would  as.semble  at  the  chapel  for  instruction,  for  prayer,  and 
to  chant  the  hymns  of  the  church.  On  Sundays  and  festivals, 
even  after  vespers,  a homily  was  pronounced  ; at  the  close  of  the 
day  parties  would  meet  in  houses  to  recite  the  chaplet  in  alter- 
nate choirs,  and  sing  psalms  until  late  at  night.  These  psalms 
were  often  homilies  with  w'ords  set  to  familiar  tunes.  Saturday 
and  Sunday  were  days  appointed  for  confession  and  communion, 
and  every  convert  confessed  once  in  a fortnight.  The  success  of 
the  mission  was  such  that  marriages  of  French  immigrants  were 
sometimes  solemnized  with  the  daughters  of  the  Illinois  accord- 
ing to  the  rites  of  the  Catholic  Church.  The  occupation  of  the 
country  was  a cantonment  of  Europeans  among  the  native  pro- 
prietors of  the  forests  and  the  prairies.*  A court  of  law  was 
unknown  for  nearly  a century,  and  up  to  the  time  of  Boisbriant 
there  was  no  local  government.  The  priests  possessed  the  entire 
confidence  of  the  community,  and  their  authority  happily  settled, 
without  the  tardy  delays  and  vexations  of  the  courts,  the  minor 
difficulties  which  threatened  the  peace  of  the  settlement.  Of  the 
families  which  formed  part  of  the  French  population  in  the  early 
history  of  Kaskaskia,  there  is  some  uncertainty.  There  is,  how- 
ever, authority  for  believing  that  the  following  were  among  the 
principal  settlers:  Bazyl  La  Chapelle,  Michael  Derouse  (called 
St.  Pierre),  Jean  Baptiste  St.  Gernme  Beauvais,  Baptiste  Mon- 
treal, Boucher  de  Montbrun,  Charles  Danic,  Francois  Charles- 
ville,  Antoine  Bienvenu,  Louis  Bruyat,  Alexis  Doza,  Joseph 
Paget,  Prix  Pagi,  Michael  Antoyen,  Langlois  De  Lisle,  La 
Derroutte  and  Noval. 

A.S  PART  OF  I.OUI.SIANA. 

The  settlements  of  Illinois  had  been  a separate  dependency  of 
Camnla.  In  171 1,  together  with  the  settlements  on  the  Lower 
Mississipj)i,  wliich  had  been  founded  by  D’Iberville  and  Bien- 
ville, they  became  united  in  a single  province  under  the  name  of 
Louisiana,  with  the  capital  at  Mobile. 

The  exclusive  control  of  the  commerce  of  this  region,  whose 
bf)undlcss  resources,  it  was  believed,  were  to  enrich  France, 
was  granted  to  Anthony  Crozat,  a merchant  of  great  wealth. 
“ “We  permit  him,”  says  the  king  in  his  letters  patent,  “to 
search,  open,  and  dig  all  mines,  veins,  minerals,  precious  stones 
and  p<'arls,  and  to  transport  the  proceeds  thereof  into  any  j)art  of 
France  for  fifteen  years.”  La  Motto  Cadillac,  who  had  now 
liecoinc  royal  Governor  of  Louisiana,  was  his  partner.  Hopes 

* Hancroft. 


of  obtaining  great  quantities  of  gold  and  silver  animated  the 
proprietors,  as  well  as  agitated  France.  Two  pieces  of  silver 
ore,  left  at  Kaskaskia  by  a traveler  from  Mexico,  were  exhibited 
to  Cadillac  as  the  produce  of  a mine  in  Illinois.  Elated  by  this 
prospect  of  wealth,  the  Governor  hurried  up  the  river  to  find 
his  anticipations  fade  away  in  disappointment.  Iron  ore  and  the 
purest  lead  were  discovered  in  large  quantities  in  Missouri,  but 
of  gold,  and  silver,  and  precious  stones  not  a trace  was  found. 
After  Crozat  had  expended  42-5,000  livres,  and  realized  only 
300,000,  he,  in  1717,  petitioned  the  king  for  the  revocation  of 
his  charter.  The  white  population  had  slowly  increased  ; and 
at  the  time  of  Ins  departure  it  was  estimated  that  the  families 
comprising  the  Illinois  settlements,  now  including  those  on  the 
Wabash,  numbered  three  hundred  and  twenty  souls. 

The  commerce  of  Louisiana  was  next  transferred  to  the 
Mississippi  C)mpany,  instituted  under  the  auspices  of  the  notori- 
ous John  Law.  The  wild  excitement  and  visionary  schemes 
which  agitated  France  during  Law's  connection  with  the  Com- 
pany of  the  West,  and  while  at  the  hea  l of  the  Bank  of  France, 
form  the  most  curious  chapter  in  the  annals  of  commercial 
speculations.  These  delusive  dreams  of  wealth  were  based 
mainly  upon  the  reports  of  the  fabulous  riches  of  the  INIississippi 
Valley.  Attempts  to  colonize  the  country  were  conducted  with 
careless  prodigality.  Three  ships  lauded  eight  hundred  emi- 
grants in  August,  1718,  near  Mobile,  whence  they  were  to  make 
their  way  overland  to  the  Mississippi.  Bienville,  on  the  banks 
of  that  river,  had  already  selected  the  spot  for  the  Capital  of  the 
new  Empire,  which,  after  the  Regent  of  France,  was  named  New 
Orleans.  From  among  the  emigrants,  eighty  convicts  from  the 
prisons  of  France  were  sent  to  clear  away  the  coppices  which 
thickly  studded  the  site.  Three  years  after,  in  1721,  the  place 
was  yet  a wilderness,  overgrown  with  canebrakes,  among  which 
two  hundred  persons  had  encamped. 

Phillip  Renault-  was  created  Director-General  of  the  mines  of 
the  new  country,  and  an  expedition  was  organized  to  work  them. 
Renault  left  France,  in  1719,  with  two  hundred  mechanics  and 
laborers.  Touching  at  San  Domingo,  he  bought  five  hundred 
negro  slaves  for  working  the  mines.  On  reaching  the  Mississippi, 
he  sailed  to  Illinois,  the  region  in  which  gold  and  silver  were 
supposed  to  abound.  A few  miles  from  Kaskaskia,  in  what  is 
now  the  south-west  corner  of  Monroe  County,  was  the  seat  of  his 
colony.  The  village  which  ho  founded  received  the  name  of  St. 
Phillip’s.  From  this  point  various  expeditions  were  sent  out  in 
search  of  the  precious  metals.  Drewry’s  Creek,  in  Jackson 
County,  was  explored  ; St.  Mary’s,  in  Randolph  ; Silver  Creek, 
in  IMonroe;  and  various  parts  of  St.  Clair  County,  and  other 
districts  of  Illinois.  On  Silver  Creek,  tradition  has  it  that  con- 
siderable quantities  of  silver  were  di.scovcrcd  and  sent  to  France^ 
and  from  this  the  stream  has  its  name.  By  the  retrocession  of 
the  territory  to  the  crown,  Renault  was  left  to  prosecute  the 
business  of  mining  without  means.  Ilis  operations  proved  a 
disastrous  failure. 

FORT  CHARTRES. 

Meanwhile  war  had  sprung  up  between  France  and  Spain, 
and  to  protect  the  Illinois  settlements  from  incursions  of  S])anish 
cavalry  across  the  Great  Desert,  it  was  thought  advisable  to 
establish  a fort  in  the  neighborhood  of  Kaskaskia.  A Spanish 
expedition  had,  indeed,  been  fitted  out  qt  Santa  Fe,  but  their 


HISTORY  OF  CHRISTIAN  COUNTY,  ILLINOIS. 


23 


guides,  leading  it  by  mistake  to  the  INIissouri  Indians,  instead  of  j 
the  Osages,  enemies  instead  of  friends,  the  whole  was 

massacred,  with  the  exception  of  a priest  who  escaped  to  relate  i 
the  fate  of  his  unfortunate  comrades.  Previous  to  this  La  Salle,  j 
on  the  occasion  of  his  visit  to  Paris,  had  shown  the  necessity  of  ! 
building  a chain  of  forts  from  Canada  to  the  Gulf,  in  order  to 
secure  the  territory  to  the  crown  of  France.  In  1720,  Boisbriant 
was  despatched  to  Illinois.  He  began  the  building  of  Fort 
Chartres,  long  the  strongest  fortress  on  the  Western  Continent, 
and  of  wide  celebrity  in  the  subsequent  history  of  Illinois. 

Fort  Chartres  stood  on  the  east  bank  of  the  Mississippi, 
seventeen  miles  north-west  of  Kaskaskia,  and  between  three  and 
four  miles  from  the  location  of  the  present  village  of  Prairie  du 
Rocher.  The  Company  of  the  West  finally  built  their  ware- 
houses here.  In  1721,  on  the  division  of  Louisiana  into  seven 
districts,  it  became  the  headquarters  of  Boisbriant,  the  first  local 
Governor  of  Illinois.  Fort  Chartres  was  the  seat  of  the  govern- 
ment of  Illinois,  not  only  while  the  French  retained  possession 
of  the  country,  but  after  it  passed  under  English  control.  When 
the  fort  was  built,  it  stood  about  one  mile  distant  from  the  river. 
In  the  year  1724  an  inundation  of  tlie  Mississippi  washed  away 
a portion  of  bank  in  front  of  the  fort. 

Captain  Philip  Pitman  visited  Illinois  in  1766.  lie  was  an 
engineer  in  the  British  army,  and  w'as  sent  to  Illinois  to  make  a 
survey  of  the  forts,  and  report  the  condition  of  the*countrv, 
W'hich  had  recently  passed  under  British  control.  He  published 
in  London,  in  1770,  a w'ork  entitled,  “The  present  State  of  the 
European  Settlements  on  the  Mississippi,”  in  which  he  gives  an 
accurate  description  of  Fort  Cliartres : 

“Fort  Chartres,  when  it  belonged  t)  France,  was  the  seat  of 
the  government  of  the  Illinois.  The  headquarters  of  the  Eng- 
lish commanding  officer  is  now  here,  who,  in  fact,  is  the  arbitrary 
governor  of  the  country.  The  fort  is  an  irregular  quadrangle. 
The  sides  of  the  exterior  polygon  are  four  hundred  and  ninety 
feet.  It  is  built  of  stone,  and  plastered  over,  and  is  only  de- 
signed for  defence  against  the  Indians.  The  walls  are  two  feet 
two  inches  thick,  and  are  pierced  with  loopholes  at  regular  dis- 
tances, and  w'ith  two  port  holes  for  cannon  in  the  facies,  and  two 
in  the  flanks  of  each  bastion.  The  ditch  has  never  been  finished.  I 
The  entrance  to  the  fort  is  through  a very  handsome  rustic  gate. 
Within  the  w'alls  is  a banquette  raised  three  feet,  for  the  men  to 
stand  on  when  they  fire  through  the  loopholes.  The  buildings 
w’ithinthe  fort  are,  a commandant’s  and  a commissary’s  house,  the 
magazine  of  stores,  corps  de  garde,  and  two  barracks.  These 
occupy  the  square.  Within  the  gorges  of  the  bastion  are  a 
powder-magazine,  a bake-house,  and  a prison,  in  the  floor  of  i 
w'liich  are  four  dungeons,  and  in  the  upper,  two  rooms  and  an 
out-house  belonging  to  the  commandant.  The  commandant’s 
house  is  thirty-twm  yards  long  and  ten  broad,  and  contains  a 
kitchen,  a dining  room,  a bed-chamber,  one  small  room,  five 
closets  for  servants,  and  a cellar.  The  commissary’s  house  is 
built  on  the  same  line  as  this,  and  its  proportion  and  the  distri- 
bution of  its  apartments  are  the  same.  Opposite  these  are  the 
store-house,  and  the  guard-house,  each  thirty  yards  long  and 
eight  broad.  The  former  consists  of  two  large  store-rooms,  ! 
(under  which  is  a large  vaulted  cellar),  a large  room,  a bed- 
chamber, and  a closet  for  the  storekeeper.  The  latter  of  a sol-  I 
diers’  and  officers’  guard-room,  a chapel,  a bed-chamber,  a closet  i 
for  the  chaplain,  and  an  artillery  store-room.  The  lines  of  bar- 


racks have  never  been  finished.  They  at  present  consist  of  two 
rooms  each  for  officers,  and  three  for  soldiers.  They  are  each 
twenty-five  feet  square,  and  have  betwixt  a small  passage.” 

Such  was  Fort  Chartres,  believed  at  the  time  to  be  the  most 
convenient  and  best-built  stronghold  in  North  America!  Just 
before  the  French  surrender,  forty  families  lived  in  the  neighbor- 
i ing  village,  in  which  stood  a parish  church,  under  the  care  of  a 
Franciscan  friar,  and  dedicated  to  St.  Anne.  At  the  time  of  the 
surrender  to  the  English,  all,  with  the  exception  of  three  or  four 
families,  abandoned  their  homes,  and  removed  to  the  west  bank 
of  the  Mississippi,  preferring  the  government  of  La  Belle  France 
j to  the  hated  English  rule,  ignorant  that  by  secret  treaty  the  ter- 
ritory west  of  the  Mississippi  had  been  ceded  to  Spain,  even  be- 
fore the  transfer  of  the  region  eastward  was  made  to  the 
English. 

But  the  glory  of  the  old  fortress  soon  departed!  In  1756 
nearly  half  a mile  intervened  between  Fort  Cliartres  and  the 
bank  of  the  Mississippi.  A sand  bar,  however,  was  forming 
opposite,  to  which  the  river  was  fordable.  Ten  years  later  the 
current  had  cut  the  bank  away  to  within  eighty  yards  of  the 
fort.  The  sand-bar  had  become  an  island,  covered  with  a thick 
growth  of  cottonwoods.  The  channel  between  it  and  the  eastern 
bank  wms  forty  feet  in  depth.  In  the  great  freshet  six  years 
after,  in  1772,  in  which  the  American  Bottom  was  inundated, 
the  Avest  walls  and  two  of  the  bastions  were  swept  away  in  the 
flood.  It  w\as  abandoned  by  the  British  garrison,  which  took  up 
its  quarters  in  Fort  Gage,  on  the  bluff  opposite  Kaskaskia, 
wdiich  then  became  the  seat'of  government.  From  this  date  its 
demolition  proceeded  rapidly.  In  1820  the  south-east  angle  ivas 
still  remaining.  Only  vestiges  of  the  old  Fortress  can  now  be 
traced.  Much  of  the  stone  Avas  carried  away,  and  used  for 
building  purposes  elsewhere.  Trees  of  stately  groAvth  cover  the 
foundation:;.  The  river  has  retreated  to  its  original  channel,  and 
is  noAV  a mile  distant  from  the  ruins.  A groAvth  of  timber  covers 
the  intervening  land,  Avhere  less  than  a century  ago  SAvept  the 
mighty  current  of  the  Father  of  AVaters. 

UNDER  FRENCH  RULE. 

During  the  few  years  immediately  succeeding  the  completion 
of  Fort  Chartres,  prosperity  preAmiled  in  the  settlements  between 
the  Kaskaskia  and  the  Mississippi  riv'ers.  Prairie  du  Rocher, 
founded  about  the  year  1722,  received  considerable  accessions  to 
its  population.  Among  the  earliest  French  settlers  to  make 
their  homes  here  AA’cre  Etienne  Langlois,  Jean  Baptiste  Blais, 
Jean  Baptiste  Barbeau,  Antoine  Louvier,  and  the  La  Compte 
and  other  families,  Avhose  descendants  are  still  found  in  that 
locality.  New  settlements  sprang  up,  and  the  older  ones  in- 
creased in  population.  At  Kaskaskia,  the  Jesuits  established  a 
monastery,  and  founded  a college.  In  1725  the  village  became 
an  incorporated  toAvn,  and  the  king,  Louis  XV.,  granted  the  in- 
habitants a commons.  The  Bottom  land,  extending  ’upward 
along  the  Mississippi,  unsurpas.sed  for  the  richness  of  its  soil, 
AA’as  in  the  process  of  being  rapidly  settled  by  the  larger  number 
of  new  arrivals  in  the  colony.  Fort  Chartres,  the  seat  of  gov- 
ernment and  the  headquarters  of  the  commandment  of  Upper 
Louisiana,  attracted  a Avealthy,  and  for  Illinois,  a fashionable 
poiAulation. 

After  having  been  fourteen  years  under  the  government  of  the 
AVestern  Company,  in  April,  1732,  the  King  issued  a proclama- 


24 


HISTORY  OF  CHRISTIAN  COUNTY,  ILLINOIS. 


tion  by  which  Louisiana  was  declared  free  to  all  his  subjects,  and 
all  restrictions  on  commerce  were  removed.  At  this  time  many 
flourishing  settlements  had  sprung  up  in  Illinois,  centering  about 
Kaskaskia,  and  the  inhabitants  were  said  to  be  more  exclu- 
sively devoted  to  agriculture  than  in  any  other  of  the  French 
settlements  in  the  West. 

M.  D’Artaguette,  in  1732,  became  commandant  of  Fort  Char- 
tres, and  Governor  of  Upper  Louisiana.  Between  New  Orleans 
and  Kaskaskia  the  country  was  yet  a wilderness.  Communica- 
tion by  way  of  the  Mississippi  was  interrupted  by  the  Chicka- 
saws,  allies  of  the  English  and  enemies  of  France,  whose  cedar 
barks  shooting  boldly  out  into  the  current  of  the  Mississippi, 
cut  off  the  connection  between  the  two  colonies.  It  was  in  an 
attempt  to  subdue  these  that  M.  D’Artaguette,  the  commandant, 
lost  his  life.  An  officer  arrived  at  Fort  Chartres  from  M.  Prer- 
rier,  Governor-General  at  New  Orleans,  in  the  year  1736,  sum- 
moning INI.  D’Artaguette,  with  his  French  soldiers,  and  all  the 
Indians  whom  he  could  induce  to  join  him,  to  unite  in  an  expe- 
dition against  the  enemy.  With  an  army  of  fifty  Frenchmen,  and 
more  than  one  thousand  Indians  accompanied  by  Father  Senat  and 
the  gallant  Vincennes,  commandant  of  the  post  on  the  Wabash, 
where  now  stands  the  city  bearing  his  name,  D’Artaguette  stole 
cautiously  in  the  Chickasaw  country.  His  Indian  allies  were 
impatient,  and  the  commander  consented,  against  his  better 
judgment,  to  an  immediate  attack.  One  fort  was  carried — an- 
other— and  then  in  making  the  assault  on  the  third,  the  young 
and  intrepid  D’Artaguette  fell  at  the  head  of  his  forces,  pierced 
with  wounds.  The  Indian  allies  made  this  reverse  the  signal  for 
tlieir  flight.  The  Jesuit  Senat  might  have  fled,  Vincennes  might 
have  saved  his  life,  but  both  preferred  to  share  thQrfate  of  their 
leader.  The  captives  afterward  met  death  at  the  stake  under 
the  slow  torments  of  fire. 

La  Buissoniere  succeeded  as  commandant  at  Fort  Chartres. 
In  1739  a .second  expedition  was  undertaken  against  the  Chicka- 
.«aw  country.  La  Buissoniere  joined  Bienville,  then  Governor- 
General  of  Louisiana,  with  a force  of  two  hundred  Frenchmen 
and  three  hundred  Indians.  The  whole  force  under  Bienville 
wa.s  twelve  hundred  French  and  five  hundred  Indians  and 
negroes.  Ilis  men  suffered  greatly  from  malarial  fevers  and 
famine,  and  returned  the  following  spring  without  conquering  the 
Chickasaws,  with  whom  afterward,  however,  amicable  relations 
were  established. 

The  period  from  1740  to  1730  was  one  of  great  prosperity  for 
the  colonies.  Cotton  was  introduced  and  cultivated.  Ilcgular 
cargoes  of  pork,  flour,  bacon,  tallow,  hides  and  leather,  were 
floated  down  the  Missi.s.si|)pi,  and  exported  thence  to  France. 
French  ctnigrants  i)Oured  rapidly  into  the  settlements.  Cana- 
dians exchanged  the  cold  rigors  of  their  climate  for  the  sunny 
atmosphere  and  rich  soil  of  the  new  country.  Peace  and  plenty 
bles.scd  the  settlements. 

La  Buis-sonicre  was  followed,  in  1730,  by  f’hevalier  IMacarty 
as  (rovernor  of  Upper  I..oui.«iana,  and  Commandant  of  iMu-t 
C’hartres.  J’eacc  was  soon  to  be  broken.  The  French  and 
FOngli.-'h  war,  which  terminated  in  1739  with  the  defeat  of  I\Iout- 
calm  on  the  plains  of  Abraham,  and  the  capture  of  (Quebec, 
begati  with  a struggle  for  the  territory  on  the  Ujiper  Ohio.  Fort 
( 'hartres  was  the  de])ot  of  .supplies  and  the  ]>lace  of  rendezvous 
for  the  united  forces  of  Louisiana,  and  several  ex])eilitions  were 
fitted  out  and  di,sj)atchcd  to  the  scene  of  conflict  on  the  border 


between  the  French  and  English  settlements.  But  France  was 
vanquished  in  the  struggle,  and  its  result  deprived  her  of  her 
princely  possessions  east  of  the  Mississippi. 

CnARACTEU  OP  THE  EARLY  FRENCn  SETTLERS. 

The  early  French  inhabitants  were  well  adapted  by  their  pe- 
culiar traits  of  character  for  intercourse  with  their  savage  neigh- 
bors of  the  forest,  with  whom  they  lived  on  terms  of  peace  and 
friendship.  For  this  reason,  the  French  colonists  almost  entirely 
escaped  the  Indian  hostilities  by  which  the  English  settlements 
were  repressed  and  weakened.  The  freest  communication  ex- 
isted betw'een  the  tw’o  races.  They  stood  on  a footing  of  equal- 
ity. The  Indian  was  cordially  received  in  the  French  village^ 
and  the  Frenchman  found  a safe  resting-place  in  the  lodge  of 
the  savage.  In  scenes  of  social  pleasure,  in  expeditions  to  remote 
rivers  and  distant  forests,  in  the  ceremonies  and  exercises  of  the 
church,  the  red  men  were  treated  as  brothers,  and  the  accident  of 
race  and  color  was  made  as  little  a mark  of  distinction  as  pos- 
sible. Frequent  intermarriages  of  the  French  with  the  Indians 
strongly  cemented  this  union.  For  nearly  a hundred  years  the 
French  colonists  enjoyed  continual  peace,  w’hile  the  English  set- 
tlements on  the  Atlantic  coast  w’ere  in  a state  of  almost  constant 
danger  from  savage  depredations. 

It  was  doubtless  greatly  owing  to  the  peculiar  facility  with 
which  the  French  temperament  adapted  itself  to  surroundings, 
and  the  natural  address  wuth  which  Frenchmen  ingratiated 
themselves  in  the  favor  of  the  savages,  that  this  happy  condition 
of  affairs  existed.  But  something  must  be  ascribed  to  the  differ- 
ence of  character  between  the  French  and  English  in  regard  to 
their  aggressiveness.  The  English  colonists  excited  the  jealousy 
and  fear  of  the  Indians  by  their  rapid  Occupation  of  the  country. 
New  settlements  were  constantly  being  projected,  and  the  white 
population  pushed  farther  and  farther  into  the  w’ilderness. 
When  the  Indians  saw  their  favorite  haunts  broken  up,  and  their 
hunting  grounds  invaded,  a natural  feeling  of  distrust  and  jeal- 
ou.sy  led  tliem  to  warfare  against  the  English.  With  the  French 
it  was  different.  There  was  but  little  disposition  to  found  new 
settlements,  or  occupy  the  wilderness.  They  were  essentially  a 
social  people,  and  the  solitary  life  of  a pioneer  in  the  forest  W’as 
repugnant  tojtheir  disposition.  Tliey  lived  in  compact  villages. 
Their  houses  were  in  close  proximity.  With  abundant  room  for 
spacious  streets,  they  yet  made  them  so  narrow  that  the  merry 
villagers  could  converse  with  ease  across  the  street,  each  from 
his  own  cottage.  Hunting  was  a favorite  pursuit,  and  the  chief 
means  of  support.  With  this  mode  of  life  the  Fi’cnch  were  con- 
tent. Ambition  failed  to  incite  them  to  compier  the  wilderness, 
and  push  their  settlements  to  unknown  regions,  and  avarice  was 
wanting  to  lead  them  to  gras]>  after  great  possessions.  The  de- 
velopment of  the  “ territorial  paradise,”  as  La  Salle  had  called 
the  region  through  which  he  passed  on  his  first  voyage  down  the 
Mississij)pi,  was  to  be  accomplished  by  another  race. 

A POSSESSION  op  f!RE.\T  RRITAIX. 

By  the  treaty  of  Fountainbleau,  1762,  the  vast  possessions  of 
France,  east  of  the  INFississippi,  with  the  exception  of  the  island 
of  New  Orleans,  passed  under  British  control.  Fort  Chartres 
and  the  other  Illinois  po.sts  were  .surrounded  by  an  impenetrable 
barrier  of  ho.stile  savages,  friends. to  the  French  and  enemies  to 
the  English,  and  the  French  officers  were  authorized  to  retain 


HISTORY  OF  CHRISTIAN  COUNTY,  ILLINOIS. 


25 


command  until  it  was  found  possiljle  for  the  English  to  take  pos- 
session. M.  Neyon  de  Villiers  was  commandant  of  Fort  Char- 
tres, and  upon  his  retiring  in  17G4,  St.  Ange  d’Bellerive  took 
upon  himself  the  duties  of  that  jmsition.  It  was  the  time  of 
Pontiac’s  conspiracy,  when  the  Indian  tribes,  inflamed  by  the 
savage  spirit  of  that  warrior,  were  precipitating  themselves  on 
the  English  settlements  from  Canada  to  Carolina.  The  French 
commandant  of  Fort  Cliartres  was  besieged  for  arms  and  am- 
munition to  be  used  against  the  English  The  French  flag  was 
still  flying  over  the  Fort,  and  the  fact  of  the  territory  having 
been  ceded  to  Great  Britain  was  not  generally  known  except  to 
those  in  authority.  The  commandant  was  visited  by  cniba.ssies 
from  the  Illinois,  the  Delawares,  Shawnees  and  Miamis,  and 
finally  Pontiac  himself,  at  the  head  of  four  hundred  warriors, 
entered  the  council  hall.  St.  Ange  d’Bellerive,  unable  to  fur- 
nish arms,  oflered  instead  his  good  will.  The  reply  was  received 
with  dissatisfaction.  The  Indians  pitched  their  lodges  about  the 
Fort,  and  for  a time  an  attack  was  seriously  apprehended. 
Finally  Pontiac  dispatched  a cho.sen  band  of  warriors  to  New 
Orleans  to  obtain  from  the  Governor  there  the  assistance  St. 
Ange  refused  to  grant. 

Pontiac  was  killed  a few  years  after.  Disappointed  by  the 
failure  of  his  plans  against  the  English,  he  retired  to  the  solitude 
of  the  forests.  In  the  year  1769,  he  suddenly  made  his  appear- 
ance in  the  neighborhood  of  St.  Louis.  Arrayed  in  the  French 
uniform  given  him  by  the  Manjuis  INIontcalin  a short  time  pre- 
vious to  the  latter’s  death  on  the  Plains  of  Abraham,  he  visited  St. 
Ano-e  d’Bellerive,  who  at  that  time  had  removed  from  Fort 
Chartres  to  St.  Louis,  where  he  had  become  one  of  the  principal 
inhabitants  and  commandant  of  the  Spanish  garrison.  While  at 
St.  Louis,  he  crossed  the  Mississippi  to  attend  a social  gather- 
ing of  Indians  at  Cahokia.  Becoming  intoxicated  he  started  to 
the  neighboring  woods,  when  an  Indian  of  the  Ivaskaskia  tribe, 
bribed  by  an  English  trader  with  a barrel  of  whiskey,  stole  up 
behind  him  and  buried  a tomahawk  in  the  brain  of  the  renowned 
warrior.  St.  Ange  procured  the  body,  and  buried  it  with  all  the 
honors  of  war  near  the  fort  under  his  command  in  St.  Louis. 
The  tramp  of  a great  city  now  sweeps  over  his  grave. 

Two  attempts,  on  the  part  of  the  English,  to  take  possession  of 
Illinois  and  Fort  Chartres,  had  been  made  by  way  of  the  Missis- 
sippi, but  hostile  Indians  on  the  banks  of  the  river  had  driven 
back  the  ex2)editions.  Meantime  a hundred  Highlanders  of  the 
F orty-second  Regiment,  those  veterans  “ whoso  battle  cry  had 
echoed  over  the  bloodie.st  fields  of  America,”  had  left  Fort  Pitt, 
now  Pittsburg,  and  descending  the  Ohio,  appeared  before  Fort 
Chartres  while  the  forests  were  yet  rich  with  the  varied  hues  of 
autumn.  St.  Ange  yielded  u|)  the  citadel.  It  was  on  the  tenth 
day  of  October,  1765,  that  the  ensign  of  France  on  the  ram- 
parts of  the  Fort  gave  place  to  the  flag  of  Great  Britain.  Ivas- 
kaskia had  now  been  founded  more  than  three-fourths  of  a 
century. 

On  the  surrender  of  Fort  Charti-es,  St.  Ange  with  his  garrison 
of  twenty-one  soldiers  retired  from  the  country,  and  became 
commandant  at  St.  Louis,  an  infant  settlement  just  founded.  A 
large  number  of  the  French  residents  of  Ivaskaskia  and  other  set- 
tlements refu-sed  to  live  under  English  rule.  IManyof  the  wealth- 
iest families  left  the  country  ; some  removed  across  the  IMississip- 
j)i,  to  the  small  village  of  Ste.  Genevieve,  under  the  imi)re.ssion 
that  on  the  west  bank  of  the  Mississipi>i  they  would  still  find  a 


home  under  the  government  of  France,  while  in  truth  that  ter- 
ritory  had  been  ceded  to  Spain  by  a secret  treaty  in  1762. 
Others  joined  in  founding  the  city  of  St.  Louis.  The  French 
settlements  in  Illinois,  at  a period  immediately  preceding  this 
date,  were  at  the  zenith  of  their  prosperity.  From  that  day  the 
French  inhabitants  have  declined  in  numbers  and  influence.  In 

1765,  the  population  of  the  Illinois  settlements  was  computed  as 
follows : White  men  able  to  bear  arms,  seven  hundred  ; white 
women,  five  hundred ; white  children,  eight  hundred  and  fifty  ; 
negroes,  nine  hundred  ; total,  two  thousand  nine  hundred  and 
fifty.  One-third  of  the  whites,  and  a still  larger  proportion  of 
the  blacks,  removed  on  the  British  taking  possession.  A popu- 
lation of  less  than  two  thousand  remained.  Few  English,  or 
Americans,  with  the  exception  of  the  British  troops,  were  in  the 
country. 

Captain  Stirling,  who  now  had  command  of  the  Fort,  issued  a 
j)roclamation  guaranteeing  the  inhabitants  the  liberty  of  the 
Catholic  faith,  jierniission  to  retire  from  the  country,  and  enjoy- 
ment of  their  full  rights  and  privileges,  only  requiring  an  oath 
of  fidelity  and  obedience  to  His  Majesty,  the  English  King. 
Caj)tain  Stirling  died  some  three  months  after  his  arrival.  In 
the  ])eriod  that  elapsed  before  the  coming  of  his  successor,  St. 
Ange  d’Bellcrive  returned  from  St.  Louis,  and  discharged  the 
duties  of  commandant.  Major  Frazier,  from  Fort  Pitt,  exercised 
for  a time  an  arbitrary  power,  and  his  successor.  Col.  Reed, 
jwoved  still  worse.  He  held  the  office  eighteen  months,  and 
during  that  time  aroused  the  hatred  of  the  settlements  by  his 
, oppressive  measures.  Lieutenant  Colonel  Wilkins  assumed  com- 
mand in  1768. 

Cai)tain  Pitman,  to  whose  book  on  “ The  Present  State  of  the 
European  Settlements  on  the  jMississippi  ” reference  has  already 
been  made,  gives  the  following  description  of  Ivaskaskia,  as  it 
appeared  in  1766  : 

The  village  of  Notre  Dame  de  Cascasquias  is  by  far  the  most 
considerable  settlement  in  the  country  of  the  Illinois,  as  well 
from  its  number  of  inhabitants  as  from  its  advantageous  situa- 
tion. 

“ Mons-  Paget  was  the  first  who  introduced  water  mills  in  this 
country,  and  he  constructed  a very  fine  one  on  the  river  Cascas- 
quias, which  was  both  for  grinding  corn  and  sawing  boards.  It 
lies  about  one  mile  from  the  village.  The  mill  proved  fatal  to 
him,  being  killed  as  he  was  working  it,  with  two  negroes,  by  a 
party  of  Cherokees,  in  the  year  1764. 

“ The  251’incipal  buildings  are  the  church  and  the  Jesuits’ 
house,  which  has  a small  chaiicl  adjoining  it;  these,  as  well  as 
some  of  the  other  houses  in  the  village,  are  built  of  stone,  and, 
considering  this  part  of  the  world,  make  a very  good  appearance. 
The  Jesuits’  plantation  consisted  of  240  arpents  fan  arpent  is 
85-100  of  an  acre)  of  cultivated  land,  a very  good  stock  of  cat- 
tle, and  a brewery  which  was  sold  by  the  French  commandant, 
after  the  country  was  ceded  to  the  English,  for  the  crown,  in 
consequence  of  the  suppression  of  the  order. 

“ ]\Ions.  Beauvais  was  the  i)urchascr,  who  is  the  richest  of  the 
English  subjects  in  this  country;  he  keeps  eighty  slaves;  he 
furnishes  86,000  weight  of  flour  to  the  King’s  magazine,  which 
was  only  part  of  the  harvest  he  reaped  in  one  year.  Sixty  five 
families  reside  in  this  village,  besides  merchants,  other  casual 
people,  and  slaves.  The  fort  which  was  burnt  down  in  October, 

1766,  stood  on  the  summit  of  a high  rock  opposite  the  village 


2G 


HISTORY  OF  CHRISTIAN  COUNTY,  ILLINOIS. 


and  oil  the  opposite  side  of  the  river.  It  was  an  oblong  quad-  J 
rangle,  of  which  the  extreme  jiolygon  measured  290  by  251  feet. 

It  was  built  of  very  thick  square  timber,  and  dove-tailed  at  tlie 
angles.  An  officer  and  twenty  soldiers  are  quartered  in  the  vil- 
lage. The  officer  governs  the  inhabitants  under  the  direction  of 
the  commandant  at  Fort  Chartres.  Here  are  also  two  conqianies 
of  militia.” 

Of  Prairie  du  Rocher,  Pitman  writes  that  “ it  is  a small  village, 
consisting  of  twenty-two  dwelling-houses,  all  of  which  are  inhab- 
ited by  as  many  families.  Here  is  a little  chaiiel,  formerly  a 
chapel  of  ease  to  the  church  at  Fort  Chartres.  The  inhabitants 
are  very  industrious,  and  raise  a great  deal  of  corn  and  every 
kind  of  stock.  Tlie  village  is  two  miles  from  Fort  Chartres.  It  ! 
takes  its  name  from  its  situation,  being  built  under  a rock  that 
runs  parallel  with  the  Mississippi  river  at  a league  distance,  for 
forty  miles  up.  Here  is  a company  of  militia,  the  captain  of  ' 
which  regulates  the  police  of  the  village.” 

In  describing  the  distance  from  Fort  Chartres,  the  author, 
doubtle.ss,  refers  to  Little  Village,  which  was  a mile  or  more 
nearer  than  Prairie  du  Rocher.  The  writer  goes  on  to  describe 
“Saint  Philippe”  as  a “small  village,  about  five  miles  from  Fort 
Cliartres  on  the  road  to  Kaoquias.  There  are  about  sixteen 
houses  and  a small  church  standing  ; all  of  the  inhabitants, 
except  the  captain  of  the  militia,  deserted  in  1765,  and  went  to 
the  French  side  (IMissouri.)  The  captain  of  the  militia  has 
al)out  twenty  slaves,  a good  stock  of  cattle,  and  a water  mill  for 
corn  and  j)lank.s.  The  village  stands  on  a very  fine  meadow 
about  one  mile  from  the  Mississippi. 

From  the  same  authority  we  learn  that  the  soil  of  the  country 
is  in  general  rich  and  luxuriant.  It  was  favorably  adapted  to 
the  production  of  all  kinds  of  European  graiirs,  which  grew  side 
by  side  with  hops,  hemj),  flax,  cotton  and  tobacco.  European 
fruits  arrived  to  great  perfection.  Of  the  wild  grapes  a wine  ; 
was  made,  very  inebriating,  and  in  color  and  taste  much  like 
the  red  wine  of  Provence.  In  the  late  wars.  New  Orleans  and 
the  lower  parts  of  Louisiana  were  sui)plicd  with  flour,  beef, 
wines,  hams,  and  other  provisions,  from  this  country.  At  pre-  j 
scut,  its  commerce  is  mostly  confined  to  the  peltry  and  furs  j 
which  arc  got  in  traffic  from  the  Indians;  for  which  are  received 
in  turn  such  European  commodities  as  arc  nece.ssary  to  carry  on 
that  commerce  and  the  support  of  its  inliabitants.” 

coxQuivST  i;y  clahke. 

On  the  breaking  out  of  the  "War  of  the  Revolution,  it  is  pro- 
bable that  the  Rritish  garrison  (removed  in  1772  from  Fort 
Ohartres  to  Fort  Oage,  o])i>ositc  Kaskaskia,)  had  been  with-  | 
drawn.  Illinois  was  remote  from  the  theatre  of  action,  and  the  j 
colonists  were  little  disturbed  by  the  rumors  of  war  which  came  ! 
from  the  Atlantic  coa.st.  The  French  inhabitants  were  rather  in 
.^yiiqiathy  with  the  Americans  than  the  I'lnglLsh,  but  jirobably  | 
understood  little  the  nature  of  the  struggle.  Illinois  belonged 
to  the  jiiri.fdiction  of  Virginia.  (Jeorge  Rogers  Flarke,  who  [ 
vi.-iited  Kentucky  in  1 775,  seems  to  have  been  the  first  to  com-  ' 
jirehend  the  advantages  which  would  result  from  the  occupation 
of  Illinois  by  the  Americans.  He  visited  Virginia,  where  he  j 
laid  his  plans  lieforc  Patrick  Henry,  the  (Jovernor  of  the  State.  | 
Clarke  received  his  in.'^tructions,  .laiiuary,  1778,  and  the.  follow- 
ing month  .‘<et  out  for  Pittsliurg.  1 lis  instructions  were  to  raise 
seven  conqianies  of  men,  bnl  he  could  only  succeeil  in  enlisting 


four,  commanded  by  Ca^itains  Montgomery,  Bowman,  Helm, 
and  Harrod.  On  Corn  Island,  opjiosite  Louisville,  on  the  Ohio, 
Clarke  announced  his  destination  to  the  men.  At  the  mouth  of 
the  Tennessee,  a man  named  John  Duff  was  encountered,  with  a 
party  of  hunters,  who  had  recently  visited  Kaskaskia,  and  also 
brought  the  intelligence  that  one  Rocheblave,  a French  Cana- 
dian, was  in  command  at  that  point,  that  he  kept  the  militia  well 
drilled,  and  that  sentinels  were  posted  to  watch  for  the  “ Long 
Knives,”  as  the  Virginians  were  called,  of  whom  the  inhabitants 
were  in  terror.  Securing  his  boats  near  Fort  Ma.ssacre  (or 
Ma.ssac,)  Clarke  undertook  the  journey  across  the  country,  one 
hundred  and  twenty  miles,  to  Kaskaskia.  It  was  accomplished 
with  difficulty.  On  the  afternoon  of  the  fourth  of  July,  1778, 
the  exhausted  band  of  invaders  came  to  the  vicinity  of  Kaskas- 
kia, and  concealed  themselves  in  the  hills  to  the  east  of  the  town- 
ATer  dark  Clarke  proceeded  to  the  old  ferry-house,  three-fourths 
of  a mile  above  the  village,  and  at  midnight  addressed  his  troops 
on  the  banks  of  the  river.  He  divided  his  force  into  three 
parties.  Two  were  to  cross  to  the  west  side  of  the  river,  and 
enter  the  town  from  different  quarters.  The  third,  under  the 
direction  of  Clarke  himself,  was  to  capture  the  fort  on  the  east 
side.  Kaskaskia  at  that  time  was  a village  of  about  two  hun- 
dred and  fifty  houses.  The  British  commander  last  in  charge 
had  instilled  in  the  minds  of  the  people  the  impression  that  the 
Virginians,  otherwise  the  “Long  Knives,”  were  a ferocious  baud 
of  murderer.s,  plundering  houses,  slaughtering  women  and  chil- 
dren, and  committing  acts  of  the  greatest  atrocity.  Clarke 
determined  to  take  advantage  of  this,  and  so  surprise  the  in* 
habitants  by  fear  as  to  induce  them  to  submit  without  resistance. 
Clarke  effected  an  entrance  to  the  fort  without  difficulty.  The 
other  parties  at  a given  signal  entered  Kaskaskia  at  the  opposite 
extremities,  and  with  terrible  outcries  and  hideous  noises,  aroused 
the  terrified  inhabitants,  who  shrieked  in  their  alarm,  “ The 
Long  Knives !”  “ The  Long  Knives  arc  here !”  The  2ianic- 
stricken  townsmen  delivered  iqi  ihcir  arms,  and  the  victory  was 
accomplished  without  the  shedding  of  a dro})  of  blood.  M. 
Rocheblave,  the  British  commandant,  was  unconscious  of  the 
j)rcsence  of  the  enemy,  till  an  officer  of  the  detachment  entered 
his  bed-chamber,  and  claimed  him  as  a prisoner.  In  accordance 
with  his  original  plan  of  conquering  the  inhabitants  by  terror, 
and  then  afterward  winning  their  regard  and  gratitude  by  his 
clemency,  Clarke,  the  next  day,  withdrew  his  forces  from  the 
tow'll,  and  sternly  forbade  all  communication  between  it  and  his 
soldier.s.  Some  of  the  principal  militia  officers,  citizens  of  the 
tow'll,  iverc  next  init  in  irons.  The  terror  now  reached  its  height. 
The  priest,  and  a deputation  of  five  or  six  elderly  men  of  the 
village,  called  on  Clarke,  and  humbly  requested  permission  to 
assemble  in  the  church,  to  take  leave  of  each  other  and  com- 
mend their  future  lives  to  the  protection  of  a merciful  God, 
since  they  expected  to  be  separated,  perhajis  never  to  meet 
again,  ('larkc  gruflly  granted  the  privilege.  The  whole  popula- 
tion convened  at  the  church,  and  after  remaining  together  a long 
time,  the  i)rie.st  ami  a few  others  again  waited  upon  the  com- 
mander of  the  American  forces,  pre.scnting  thanks  for  the 
jirivilcge  they  had  enjoyed,  and  desiring  to  know  what  fate 
awaited  them. 

Clarke  now  determined  to  lift  them  from  their  des]iair,  and 
win  their  gratitude  by  a show  of  mercy.  “ What !”  .said  he; 

“ do  you  take  us  for  savages?  Do  you  think  Americans  will 


niSTORY  OF  CIIRISIIAN  COUNTY,  ILLINOIS. 


27 


strip  women  and  children,  and  take  bread  from  their  mouths  ? 
My  countrymen  disdain  to  make  war  on  helpless  innoeents.” 
He  further  reminded  them  that  the  King  of  France,  their 
former  ruler,  was  an  ally  of  the  Americans,  and  now  fighting 
their  cause.  He  told  them  to  embrace  the  side  they  deemed 
best,  and  they  should  be  respected  in  the  enjoyment  of  their 
liberty  and  the  rights  of  property. 

The  revulsion  of  feeling  was  complete.  The  good  news  spread 
throughout  the  village.  The  church-bell  rang  a merry  peal,  and 
the  delighted  inhabitants  gathered  at  tlie  chapel,  where  thanks 
were  offered  to  God  for  their  happy  and  unexpected  deliveranee- 
The  loyalty  of  the  inhabitants  was  assured,  and  ever  after  they 
remained  faithful  to  the  American  cause.  The  French  inhabi- 
tants of  Kaskaskia  were  readily  reeoncilcd  to  a change  of  gov- 
ernment. In  Qctober,  1778,  the  Virginia  Assembly  erected  the 
conquered  territory  into  the  County  of  Illinois.  This  County 
embraced  all  the  region  north-west  of  the  Ohio,  and  five  large 
states  have  since  been  formed  from  it.  Colonel  Clarke  was 
appointed  military  commander  of  all  the  western  territory  north 
and  south  of  the  Ohio,  and  Colonel  John  Todd,  one  of  Clarke’s 
soldiers,  who  next  to  Clarke  had  been  the  first  man  to  enter  Fort 
Gage,  Avas  appointed  lieutenant-commandant  of  Illinois.  In  the 
spring  of  1779,  Colonel  Todd  visited  Kaskaskia,  and  made 
arrangements  for  the  organization  of  a temporary  government.  • 
I\Iany  of  the  French  inhabitants  of  Kaskaskia,  Prairie  du 
Ilochcr,  and  the  other  settlements,  readily  took  the  oath  of 
allegiance  to  Virginia.  Colonel  Todd  was  killed  at  the  famous 
battle  of  Blue  Licks,  in  Kentucky,  August,  1782,  and  Timothy 
de  Montbrun,  a Frenchmau,  succeeded  him  as  commandant  of 
Illinois  (Jounty.  Of  his  administration  but  little  is  known. 

LAND  TENURES. 

The  early  French  settlers  held  the  possession  of  their  land  in 
common.  A tract  of  land  was  fixed  upon  for  a Common  Field, 
in  which  all  the  inhabitants  were  interested. 

Besides  the  Common  Field,  another  tract  of  land  was  laid  off 
as  the  Commons.  All  the  villagers  had  free  acce.ss  to  this  as  a 
])lace  of  pasturage  for  their  stock.  From  this  they  also  drew 
their  supply  of  fuel. 

Individual  grants  were  likewise  made.  Under  the  French 
system,  the  lands  were  granted  without  any  equivalent  considera- 
tion in  the  way  of  money,  the  individuals  satisfying  the  authori- 
ties that  the  lands  were  wanted  for  actual  settlement,  or  for  a 
purpose  likely  to  benefit  the  community.  The  first  grant  of 
land,  which  is  preserved,  is  that  made  to  Charles  Danie,  May 
10th,  1722.  The  Freneh  grants  at  Kaskaskia  extended  from 
river  to  river,  and  at  other  places  in  the  Bottom  they  commonly 
extended  from  the  river  to  the  bluff’.  Grants  of  land  were  made 
for  almost  all  the  American  Bottom,  from  the  upper  limits  of 
the  Common  Field  of  St.  Phillip’s  to  the  lower  line  of  the  Kas- 
kaskia Common  Field,  a distance  of  nearly  thirty  miles. 

The  British  commandants,  who  assumed  the  government  on 
the  cession  of  the  territory  by  France,  exercised  the  privilege  of 
making  grants,  subject  to  the  approval  of  his  IMajesty,  the  King. 
Colonel  Wilkins  granted  to  some  merchants  of  Philadelphia  a 
magnificent  domain  of  thirty  thousand  acres  lying  between  the 
village  of  Kaskaskia  and  Prairie  du  Rocher,  much  of  it  already 
covered  by  French  grants  previously  made.  For  the  better  car- 
rying out  their  plans,  the  British  officers,  and  perhaps  their 


grantees,  destroyed,  to  some  extent,  the  records  of  the  ancient 
French  grants  at  Kaskaskia,  by  which  the  regular  claim  of  titles 
and  conveyances  was  partly  broken.  This  British  grant  of  thirty 
thousand  acres,  which  had  been  assigned  to  John  Edgar,  Avas 
afterward  patented  by  Governor  St.  Clair  to  Edgar  and  John 
IMurray  St.  Clair,  the  Governor’s  son,  to  Avhom  Edgar  had  pre- 
viously conveyed  a moiety  by  deed  Although  much  fault  Avas 
found  Avith  the  transaction,  a confirmation  of  the  grant  Avas 
secured  from  the  United  States  gOA'efnment. 

When  Virginia  ceded  Illinois,  it  AA’as  stipulated  that  the 
Fjench  and  Canadian  inhabitants,  and  other  settlers,  Avho  had 
professed  allegiance  to  Virginia,  should  have  their  titles  eon- 
firmed  to  them.  Congress  afterwards  authorized  the  Governor 
to  confirm  the  possessions  and  titles  of  the  French  to  iheir  lands. 
In  accordance  Avith  this  agreement.  Governor  St.  Clair,  in  1790, 
issued  a proclamation  directing  the  inhabitants  to  exhibit  their 
titles  and  claims  to  the  lands  which  they  held,  in  order  to  be 
confirmed  in  their  possession.  AVhere  the  instruments  Avere 
found  to  be  authentic,  orders  of  survey  AA'ere  issued,  the  expense 
of  Avhich  Avas  borne  by  the  parties  Avho  claimed  OAvuership.  The 
French  inhabitants  Avere  in  such  poA'erty  at  this  time  that  they 
were  really  unable  to  pay  the  expenses  of  the  surveys,  and  a 
memorial  signed  by  P.  Gjbault,  the  priest  at  Kaskaskia,  and 
eighty-seven  others,  Avas  presented  to  Governor  St.  Clair,  praying 
him  to  petition  Congress  for  relief  in  the  matter.  In  1791, 
Congress  directed  that  four  hundred  acres  of  land  should  be 
granted  to  the  head  of  every  family  Avhich  had  made  improve- 
ments in  Illinois  prior  to  the  year  1788.  Before  this,  in  1788, 
Congress  had  also  directed  that  a donation  be  given  to  each  of 
the  families  then  living  at  either  of  the  Aullages  of  Ka.skaskia, 
Prairie  du  Rocher,  Cahokia,  Fort  Chartres,  or  St.  Phillips, 
These  Avere  knoAvn  as  “ bead-right  ” claims. 

At  an  early  date,  speculation  became  actiA'e  in  the  land 
claims  of  different  kinds;  bead-rights,  improvement  rights,  mili- 
tia rights,  and  fraudulent  claims  Avere  produced  in  great  num- 
bers. The  French  claims  Avere  partly  unconfirmed,  owing  to  the 
jiOAmrty  of  that  people,  and  these  Avere  forced  on  the  market 
Avith  the  others.  The  official  report  of  the  commissioners  at 
Kaskaskia,  made  in  1810,  shoAVS  that  eight  hundred  and  ninety 
land  claims  Avere  rejected  as  being  illegal  or  fraudulent.  Three 
hundred  and  seventy  Avere  reported  as  being  supported  by  per- 
jury, and  a considerable  number  Avere  forged.  There  are  fourteen 
names  given  of  persons,  both  English  and  French,  who  made  it 
a regular  business  to  furnish  SAVorn  certificates,  professing  an 
intimate  knoAvledge,  in  every  case,  of  the  settlers  Avho  had  made 
certain  improA'ements  upon  Avhich  claims  Avere  predicated  and 
when  and  Avhere  they  were  located.  A I'renchman,  clerk  of  the 
parish  of  Prairie  du  Rocher,  “ Avithout  property  and  fond  of 
liquor,”  after  having  given  some  tAvo  hundred  depositions  in 
favor  of  three  land  claimant  speculators,  “ Avas  induced,”  in  the 
language  of  the  report,  “ either  by  compensation,  fear,  or  the 
impossibility  of  obtaining  absolution  on  any  other  terms,  to  de- 
clare on  oath  that  the  said  depositions  Avere  flilse,  and  that  in 
giAung  them  he  had  a regard  for  something  beyond  the  truth.” 

The  report  of  the  commissioners  raised  many  doubts  in  regard 
to  the  validity  and  propriety  of  a number  of  confirmations  by 
the  Governors,  and  much  dissatisfaction  among  the  claimants ; 
and  in  consequence.  Congress,  in  1812,  passed  an  act  for  the 
revision  of  these  land  claims  in  the  Kaskaskia  district.  The 


28 


HISTORY  OF  CHRISTIAN  COUNTY,  ILLINOIS. 


commissioners  under  this  law  were  INIiehael  Jones,  John  Cald- 
well and  Thomas  Sloo.  Facts  damaging  to  persons  who  occu- 
j)ied  positions  of  high  respectability  in  the  community,  were 
disclosed.  They  reported  that  the  English  claim  of  thirty  thou- 
sand acres  confirmed  by  Governor  St.  Clair  to  John  Edgar  and 
the  Governor’s  son,  John  Murray  St.  Clair,  was  founded  in 
neither  law  nor  ecpiity,  that  the  patent  was  issued  after  the 
Governor’s  t^ower  ceased  to  exist,  and  the  claim  ought  not  to  be 
confirmed.  Congress,  however,  confirmed  it. 

For  a period  of  several  years,  emigration  was  considerably 
retarded  by  the  delay  in  adjusting  land  titles.  The  act  of  Con- 
gress pas-sed  in  1813,  granting  the  right  of  pre-emption  to  set- 
tlers, was  influential  in  bringing  the  public  lands  into  market. 
Emigrants  j)oured  into  the  country,  and  improvements  were 
rapidly  made. 

CIVIL  ORGANIZATION. 

The  history  of  Illinois  has  been  traced  while  a possession  of 
France,  and  when  under  the  British  government ; and  the  for- 
mation of  Illinois  as  a County  of  Virginia  has  been  noted.  The 
several  States  afterwards  agreed,  on  the  adoption  of  the  Articles 
of  the  Confederation,  to  cede  their  claims  to  the  western  land  to 
the  General  government.  Virginia  executed  her  deed  of  cession 
!March  1st,  1784.  For  several  years  after,  there  was  an  imper- 
fect administration  of  the  law  in  Illinois.  The  French  customs 
partly  held  force,  and  affairs  were  partly  governed  by  the  ])ro- 
mulgations  of  the  British  commandants  issued  from  Fort  Char- 
tres, and  by  the  regulations  which  had  subsequently  been  issued 
by  the  Virginia  authorities. 

By  the  ordinance  of  1787,  all  the  territory  north-west  of  the 
Ohio  not  constituted  into  one  district,  the  laws  to  be  administered 
by  a governor  and  secretary,  a court  was  instituted  of  three 
judges.  A general  assembly  was  provided  for,  the  members  to 
be  chosen  by  the  people.  General  Arthur  St.  Clair  was  selected 
by  Congrc.ss,  as  Governor  of  the  north-western  territory.  The 
scat  of  government  was  at  Marietta,  Ohio. 

In  the  year  179d,  Governor  St.  Clair  divided  St.  Clair  County. 
All  south  of  a line  running  through  the  New  Design  settlement 
(in  the  i)rcscnt  County  of  Monroe)  was  erected  into  the  County 
of  liandolph.  In  honor  of  Edmund  Randolph  of  Virginia,  the 
new  county  received  its  name. 

Shadrach  Bond,  afterward  the  fir.st  Governor,  was  elected  from 
Illinois,  a mcnd)er  of  the  Territorial  Legislature  which  convened 
at  Cincinnati,  in  January,  1799.  In  1800  the  Territory  of  In- 
diana was  formed,  of  which  Illinois  constituted  a part,  with  the 
seat  of  government  at  Vincennes.  About  180G,  among  other 
j)laces  in  the  West,  Aaron  Burr  visited  Kaskaskia  in  an  en- 
deavor to  enlist  men  for  his  treasonable  scheme  against  the 
government.  In  180J,  George  Fisher  was  elected  from  Ran- 
dol[)h  County  a member  of  the  Territorial  Legislature,  and 
Fierro  Menard  was  chosen  member  of  the  Legislative  Council. 

By  act  of  Congress,  180!),  the  'I'erritory  of  Illinois  was  con- 
stiluteil.  Ninian  Edwards  was  ap])ointed  Governor  of  the  newly 
organized  'I'erritory,  and  the  scat  of  government  established  at 
Kaskaskia.  Nathaniel  Fope,  a relative  of  J'Mwards,  received 
th(!  appointment  of  .Secretary. 

l'’or  ni'arly  four  years  after  tlie  organization  of  the  Territorial 
Government  no  legislature  existed  ill  Illinoi.s.  All  election  for 
repre.-ientalives  was  held  on  the  eighth,  ninth,  and  tenth  of 


October,  1812.  Shadrach  Bond,  then  a resident  of  St.  Clair 
County,  was  elected  the  first  Delegate  to  Congress  from  Illinois, 
Fierre  Menard  was  chosen  from  Randolph  County  member  of 
the  Legislative  Council,  and  George  Fisher  of  the  House  of 
Rejwesentatives.  The  Legislature  convened  at  Kaskaskia  on 
the  twenty-fifth  of  November,  1812. 

In  April,  1818,  a bill  providing  for  the  admission  of  Illinois 
into  the  Union  as  a sovereign  State  was  passed  by  Congress.  A 
Convention  to  frame  a Constitution  assembled  at  Kaskaskia  in 
the  following  July.  The  first  election  under  the  Constitution 
was  held  in  September,  1818,  and  Shadrach  Bond  was  elected 
Governor,  and  Pierre  IMenard,  Lieutenant  Governor.  Illinois 
was  now  declared  by  Congress  admitted  to  the  Union  as  on  cijual 
footing  in  all  respects  with  the  original  States.  The  Legislature 
again  met  at  Kaskaskia  in  January,  1819.  TJiis  was  the  last 
session  ever  held  at  Kaskaskia.  Vandalia,  the  same  year,  was 
selected  as  Capital  of  the  State.  It  was  stipulated  that  Vanda- 
lia was  to  be  the  Capital  for  twenty  years.  At  the  end  of  that 
period  it  was  changed  to  Springfield.  Below  we  give  list  of 
governors  and  chief  officers  of  Illinois. 

Illinois  was  constituted  a separate  Territory  by  act  of  Con- 
gress, February  3d,  1809. 

OFFICERS  OF  THE  STATE  OF  ILLINOIS. 


NAME  OF  OFFICER'. 

ILLINOIS  TERIUTORY. 

OFFICE. 

DATE  OF  COMMISSION 
OU  INAUGURATION. 

Nathaniel  Pope 

..Secretary  of  the  Territorv,... 

...March  7,  1809. 

Ninian  Edwaril.'f, 

..Governor, 

...April  24,  1809. 

II.  II.  Maxwell, 

...Auditor  Public  Accounts,... 

1816. 

Daniel  P.  Cook 

<<  <(  ii 

Kobert  Blackwell, 

..Auditor  Public,  Accounts,.... 

Elijah  C.  Berrv 

u u a 

...August  29,  1817. 

./I'rcnsnrpr 

1818. 

Shadrach  Bond, 

STATE  OF  ILLINOIS. 
..Governor, 

...October  6,  ISIS. 

Pierre  iSIenard, 

..Lieut-Governor 

...  “ 6,  1818. 

Elias  K.  Kane 

..Secretary  of  State, 

...  “ 6,  1818. 

Elijah  C.  Berrv, 

...Auditor  Public  Accounts,... 

1818. 

John  Thomas, 

..Treasurer, 

1818. 

Robert  K.  McLanglilin, 

“ 

...August  2,  1819. 

Edward  Coles 

..Governor, 

Adolphus  E.  Hubbard,.. 

..Lieut.  ( lovernor, 

“ 1822. 

Samuel  D.  lyockwood,.-. 

..Secretary  of  State, 

18,1822. 

Abner  Eield, 

...Treasurer, 

....January  14,  1823. 

David  Blackwell, 

..Secretarv  of  State 

...Aiiril  2,  1823. 

Morris  Birbeck 

it  ii 

...October  15,  1824. 

Ocorge  KonjiuT, 

({  U 

Ninian  Edwards, 

..Governor, 

IVilliain  Kinney 

..Lieut-Governor, 

“ 1826. 

James  Hall, 

..Treasurer, 

....Febr’v.  12,  1827- 

Alexander  P.  Eield, 

...Secretary  of  Slate, 

....January  23,  1829. 

ITISTOIIY  OF  CHRISTIAN  COUNTY,  ILLINOIS. 


29 


John  Reynolds, Governor, December  9, 1830. 

Zadock  Casey, Lient-Governor, “ 9,  1830. 

Jolin  Dement Trea.surer, February  5,  1831. 

James  T.  B.  Siap[>, Auditor  Public  Accounts Augirst  27,  1831. 

Joseph  Duncan, Governor, December,  1834 

Alexander  M.  Jenkins, ...Lient-Governor, “ 1834. 

Levi  Davis, Auditor  Public  Accounts Nov.  IG,  1835. 

Charles  Gregory, Treasurer, December  5,  183G. 

John  D.  Whiteside, ‘‘  March  4,  1837. 

Thomas  Carlin, Governor December,  1838. 

Stinson  II.  Anderson, Lieut-Governoi*, “ 1838. 

Stephen  A.  Douglas, Secretary  of  State, Nov.  30,  1840. 

Lyman  Trumbull, “ “ March  1,  1841. 

Milton  Carpenter, Treasurer, “ 1841. 

James  Sliields, Auditor  Public  Accounts ‘‘  1841. 

Thomas  Ford Governor, December  8, 1842. 

John  Moore, Lient-Governor, “ 8,  1842. 

Thomas  Campbell, Secretary  of  State March  G,  1843. 

William  L.  D.  Ewing Auditor  Public  Accounts, “ G,  1843. 

Thomas  II.  Campbell “ P.  A.  (to  fill  vacancy),  “ 23,  1S4G. 

Augustus  C.  French, Governor, December  9, 184G. 

Joseph  B.  Wells Lieut-Governor, ‘‘  9,  1840. 

Horace  S.  Cooley, Secretary  of  State, ‘‘  23,1846. 

John  Moore, Treasurer,  (to  fill  vacancy), August  14,  1848. 

Will  iam  McMurtry, Lieut-Governor, .January,  1849. 

David  L.  Gregg, Sec’y.  of  State  (to  fill  vacancy ),A[)ril  3,  18.50. 

Joel  A.  Matteson, Governor, .January,  1853. 

Gustavus  Koerner, Lieut-Governor, “ 1853. 

Alexander  Starne, Secretary  of  State, “ 1853. 

Ninian  W.  Edwards, Super’t.  Public  Instruction, March  24,  1854. 

AVilliatn  II.  Bissell, Governor, .January  12,  1857. 

John  Wood, Lieut-Governor, ‘‘  12,1857. 

Ozias  M.  Hatch, Secretary  of  State, ‘‘  12,  1857. 

Jesse  K.  Duhois Auditor  Public  Accounts, “ 12,  1857. 

James  Miller, Treasurer, ‘‘  12,1857. 

William  II.  Powell, Super’t.  Public  Instruction, “ 12,  1857. 

Newton  Bateman, “ ‘‘  “ 10,  1859. 

William  Butler, Treasurer  (to  fill  vacancy) September  3, 1859. 

Richard  N’ates, Governor, January  14,  1801. 


Francis  A.  Hoffman, Lieut-Governor, 

Ozias  M.  Hatch, Secretary  of  State 

Jesse  K.  Dubois Auditor  Public  Accounts, 

Will  iam  Butler, Treasurer, 

Newton  Bateman, Super’t.  Public  Instruction,.... 

Alexander  Starne Treasurer, 

John  P.  Brooks, Super’t.  Public  Instruction,... 

Richard  J.  Oglesby, Governor, 

William  Bross, Lient-Governor, 

Sharon  Tyndale,  Secretary  of  State, 


14,  18G1. 
14,  18G1. 
14,  1801. 
14,  1801. 
14,  18G1. 
12,  18G3. 
12,  18G3. 
IG,  1865. 
IG,  1SC.5. 
IG,  18G5. 


Orlin  II.  Miner, 

...Auditor  Public  Accounts, 

...Dec.  12,  1864. 

James  II.  Beveridge,... 

...Treasurer, 

...January  9,  1865. 

Newton  Bateman, 

...Super’t.  Public  Instruction.... 

...January  10,  1865. 

George  W.  Smith, 

...Trea,surer, 

.John  M.  Palmer, 

...Governor 

...January  11,  1869. 

John  Dougherty, 

. . .Lieut-Governor, 

“ 11,  1869. 

‘‘  11  1869 

Charles  E.  Lippincott... 

...Auditor  Public  Accounts, 

“ 11,  1869. 

Erastus  N.  Bates, 

...Treasurer, 

“ 11,1869. 

Newton  Bateman, 

...Super’t.  Public  Instruction,... 

Erastus  N.  Bates, 

...Treasurer, 

...Nov.  8,  1870. 

Richard  .J.  Oglesby, 

...Governor, 

John  L.  Beveridge, 

...Lieut-Governor,  

“ 13,  1873. 

George  H.  Harlow 

...Secretary  of  State, 

“ 13,  1873. 

Charles  E.  Lippincott,  . 

...Auditor  Public  Accounts, 

“ 13.  1873. 

Edward  Rutz, 

...Treasurer, 

“ 13,  1873. 

John  L.  Beveridge 

...Governor, 

“ 23,  1873. 

John  Earlv, 

. . . Lieut-Governor, 

“ 23, 1873. 

S.  M.  Cullom 

...Governor, 

“ 8, 1877. 

Andrew  Shuman 

. . .Lieut-Governor, 

“ 8,1877. 

George  H.  Harlow, 

...Secretary  of  State 

“ 8,  1877. 

Edward  Rutz, 

...Treasurer, 

00 

T.  B.  Needles, 

...Auditor  Public  Accounts, 

8, 1877. 

S.  M.  Etter, 

...Super’t.  Public  Instruction,.. 

“ 8,  1877. 

J.  P,  Slade, 

“ 8, 1879. 

J.  C.  Smith, 

...Treasurer, 

8,1879. 

Believing  that  it  will  be  interesting  to  the  younger  readers  of 
our  work,  we  subjoin  the  following  list  of  Presidents  of  the 
United  States  : 


phesidents  u.\nEtt  the  con-stitution.  tekm  of  service. 

George  Washington Virginia, 1789  to  1797,  eight  years. 

John  Adams Massachusetts, ....1797  to  1801,  four  years. 

Thomas  Jefferson Virginia, 1801  to  1809,  eight  years. 

James  Madison Virginia 1809  to  1817,  eight  years. 

James  Monroe Virginia, 1817  to  1825,  eight  years. 

Jolin  Quincy  Adams Massachusett.s 1825  to  1829,  four  -years. 

Andrew  Jackson Tennessee, 1829  to  1837,  eight  yeai-s. 

Martin  Van  Buren New  York, 1837  to  1841,  four  years. 

William  H.  Harri.son Ohio, 1841,  one  month. 

John  Tyler Virginia 1841  to  184-5,  four  years. 

James  K.  Polk Tennessee, 1845  to  1849,  four  years. 

Zachary  Taylor Louisiana, 1849  to  1850,  one  year. 

Millard  Fillmore New  A’ork 1850  to  1853,  three  years. 

Franklin  Pierce New  Hampshire, .18-53  to  1857,  four  years. 

James  Buchanan Pcnn.sylvania 18-57  to  18G1,  four  years- 

Abraham  Lincoln,  (murdered). .Illinois 1861  to  186-5,  4 yrs.  1 mo. 

Andrew  Johnson Tennessee, 1865  to  1869,  four  years. 

Ulysses  S.  Grant Illinois, 1869  to  1877,  eight  years. 

Rutherford  B.  Hayes Ohio, 1877,  present  incumbent. 


30 


HISTORY  OF  CHRISTIAN  COUNTY,  ILLINOIS. 


CHAPTER  III.  ; 

PIONEERS  A ND  EARL  Y SETTLERS. 

INCIDENTS  AND  ANECDOTES. 

HE  settlement  of  Christian  county,  began  the  year  that 
Illinois  was  admitted  into  the  Union  as  a state.  Prior  to 
this  period,  the  whole  country  was  occupied  by  different 
tribes  of  Indians,  many  of  them  hostile  to  the  whites,  and 
warring  against  each  other.  A few  words  concerning  the 
aborigines  will  not  be  out  of  place.  Never  did  a race  inspire  more 
romantic  contemplation,  or  suffer  more  speedily  or  completely  a dis- 
astrous fate.  They  perished  when  they  came  in  contact  with  our 
civilization,  almost  as  the  hues  of  sunset  fade  when  you  look  at 
them  through  the  telescope;  or  as  the  odor  of  the  rose  vanishes 
■while  you  attempt  to  analyze  it.  Before  they  could  be  studied  as 
men  or  as  nations,  as  families  or  as  tribes,  either  by  their  traditions 
and  literature,  by  their  customs  and  affinities  they  had  disappeared ; 
or  at  least  had  been  so  degraded  as  to  seem  to  have  fallen  below 
the  level  of  even  scientific  observation.  Their  origin  is  a mystery,  | 
their  history  is  a myth.  Their  manners  and  customs  are  chiefly  ' 
romance.  We  can  study  them  little,  and  by  scarcely  another 
light  than  conjecture,  as  to  facts,  and  very  unreliable  inference  as  j 
to  the  conclusions  reached.  These  tribes  or  nations  were  by  no 
means  the  first  denizens  of  the  soil.  America  appears  to  have  been 
the  home  of  a prior  race,  who  have  totally  disappeared,  leaving  be-  j 
hind  them  a singular  poverty  of  records.  A few  mounds,  some 
beads,  a small  variety  of  earth-made  ware,  stone  hammers,  imple- 
ments for  dressing  skins,  and  now  and  then,  one  of  their  own  idols 
of  religious  worship,  together  with  a few  personal  articles  of  luxury, 
or  dissipation,  or  ornament,  are  all  of  their  domestic  or  jmblic  life 
left  to  us.  We  find  scattered  in  many  parts  of  the  country  their 
gimlets,  arrow-heads,  spear-heads,  saws,  flesh-scrapers,  spades  and 
hammers,  all  made  of  stone,  and  demanding  almost  infinite  patience 
for  their  manufacture.  It  seems  a wonder  that  a people  having 
])ower  to  concentrate  the  mind  on  such  difficult  work  as  shaping 
flint-stones,  should  have  been  so  barren  in  all  the  graceful  and  i 
elevating  arts.  We  alternately  pity  and  despise  them ; admire 
their  sublime  stoicism  and  sicken  at  their  cruelties.  We  praise 
their  valor  and  denounce  their  selfishness.  They  gave  us  their 
country  and  left  us  none  of  their  customs.  We  use  the  maize 
which  they  .sometimes  cultured,  and  stupefy  ourselves  with  the 
smoke  of  tobacco  wliich  they  taught  us  to  consume.  These  are 
their  .sole  contributions  to  the  world’s  progress  in  profit  and  comfort. 

Is  it  strange  tliat  w’c  shouhl  forget  tlicm,  or  that  we  should  readily 
persuade  ourselves  that  such  an  idle,  unprogre.ssive  people  should 
scarcely  have  a right  which  an  entcr[)rising,  ambitious  and  needy 
race  should  rcsj)cct?  Their  whole  ideas,  habits,  wants,  aspirations  ’ 
and  beliefs  were  so  different  from  tho.se  of  our  race  that  we  can  i 
scarcely  rise  to  any  sym|)athy  with  them  or  their  interests.  This  ^ 
portion  of  country  was  known  in  ancarly  day  as  the  “ Black-Hawk 
Hunting-ground,”  and  was  widely  noted  as  a fine  hunting  region. 
(!amc  of  all  kinds  was  very  abundant.  Hither  came  in  pursuit  of 
game  from  the  northward,  under  the  command  of  their  famous  chief, 
the  stalwart  warriors  of  the  Sac  ami  l’’ox  tribes.  i 

A fecl)l(;  remnant  of  this  once  powerful  tribe  are  now  in  Kansas. 
Here  also  came  tlic  braves  of  the  i’ottawatomies,  distinguishcil  from 
other  Indians  by  the  swarthiness  of  their  complexion.  What  is  left 
of  this  tril)3  once  so  renowned  in  war  arelivitigiii  Kansas.  This  was 
one  (tf  the  fiercest,  bravest  and  most  intelligent  tril)es  of  their  race.  | 
Another  witli  mcml)ers  of  which  the  early  settlers  became  familiar, 
was  the  Kicknpoos.  j 

I'iveri  after  a few  of  the  first  settlers  had  located  here,  there  still 


remained  as  residents  of  the  county  a fragment  of  the  Kickapoo 
tribe.  “ Bassena,”  the  chief,  said  this  land  was  theirs  ; that  they 
had  occupied  the  territory  of  South  Fork  “ more  moons  ” ago  than 
there  are  tracks  of  the  buffalo  upon  the  plain  or  feathers  upon  tin 
wild  fowl’s  back.  An  amusing  anecdote  is  related  in  connection 
with  one  of  the  pioneer  settlers  of  this  county,  by  the  surveyor- 
general,  when  passing  through  this  section  in  1818.  He  had  formed 
the  acquaintance  of  young  Martin  Hauon  ; and  wishing  to  play  a 
joke,  he  went  to  the  chief,  and  told  him  Hanon  was  about  to  enter 
some  of  the  laud  he  was  measuring  off,  and  that  he  wanted  a wife. 
Upon  hearing  this  news,  the  young  S(][uaws,  gathered  around  the 
young  candidate  for  matrimonial  honors,  as  if  they  meant  business. 
All  of  them  wanted  a white  man  “if  he  would  hunt!”  The  Sur- 
veyor got  out  of  the  difficulty — by  informing  them  much  to  his  re- 
gret, he  was  a “poor  hunter,”  and  so  would  make  but  a sorry 
husband. 

FIRST  W'lIITE  MEN  IN  THE  COUNTY. 

The  first  men  of  our  race,  so  far  as  is  known,  whose  glad  eyes 
looked  upon  the  beautiful  portion  of  Illinois  now  embraced  within 
the  boundaries  of  Christian  county,  were  a band  of  hunters  and 
trappers  who  left  Vincennes  in  the  fall  of  1811,  and  following  an 
Indian  trail  traversing  this  county  in  a north-westerly  direction,  to 
the  Illinois  river  and  stopping  for  the  winter  at  Peoria  lake  to  trap, 
hunt  and  fish.  They  were  Frenchmen,  and  belonged  to  the  mi.ssion 
at  Vincennes.  On  their  return  trip,  the  following  spring,  they  were 
robbed  of  a portion  of  their  furs  and  peltries  and  two  of  their  num- 
ber slain  by  the  Indians. 

FIRST  SETTLEMENT  AND  EARLY  SETTLERS. 

The  honor  of  being  the  first  white  resident  of  the  country  now 
comprised  within  the  limits  of  Christian  county,  belongs  to  Martin 
Hanon.  He  was  a native  of  Tennessee,  born  in  April,  1799,  near 
the  city  of  Nashville.  He  came  to  the  territory  of  Illinois  with  his 
father,  INIichacl  Hanon,  in  the  year  1812,  and  settled  in  Gallatin 
county,  where  he  resided  until  his  death  in  1817.  The  year  follow- 
ing his  father’s  death,  young  Martin,  in  charge  of  his  mother  and 
family,  emigrated  and  settled  in  Christian  county,  in  the  fall  of  the 
year  1818.  At  first  he  pitched  his  tent  on  the  south  side  of  a large 
fallen  tree.  Their  meat  in  one  end  of  a sack,  and  other  provisions 
in  the  other  end,  were  balanced  in  the  crotch  of  a tree,  until  a log 
cabin  was  extemporized.  The  scent  of  it  soon  attracted  a pack  of 
hungry  wolves,  and  they  were  only  kept  at  bay  by  occasionally 
throwing  a fire-brand  in  their  midst.  There  is  nothing  more  terri- 
fying to  the  wolf.  He  first  settled  and  improved  what  afterwards 
was  known  as  the  Squire  Council  farm.  John  S.  Sinnet,  a brother- 
in-law  of  Hanon’s,  and  Claiborn  INIatthcws  with  his  family — Jacob 
Gragg,  Eli  Alexander  and  Kcnchcn — “the  well-digger” — all  came 
to  and  settled  in  the  county  Nov.  21st,  1818 — oidy  a few  days  after 
II  auon.  Their  nearest  neighbor  in  this  county  in  1820,  was  Eph- 
raim Cooper,  living  on  the  North  Fork.  IMartin  Hanon,  realizing 
that  it  was  not  good  for  man  to  be  alone,  soon  after  improving  his 
claim  determined  to  take  to  himself  a wife.  He  went  down  into 
Egypt,  wooed  and  won  one  of  the  fair  daughters  of  that  land,  and 
was  married  in  Shawneclown,  on  the  10th  of  October,  182.3,  to  INIiss 
Sally  INIiller.  Among  the  usual  attractions  jn-esenled  on  such 
occasions  to  his  young  bride  was  that  he  jio.sscsscd  on  his  farm  a 
thousand  bearing  aj)i)lc  trees.  Judge  of  her  feelings  when  on  reaching 
her  new  home  of  which  .she  had  become  joint  ])roprietor,  her  hus- 
band directetl  her  attention  to  ten  acres  of  thrifty  crab-apple  trees. 
Young  Hanon’s  wife  proved  to  be  a thrifty,  industrious  woman.  She 
frequently  delighted  in  telling  how  she  spun  her  dozen  cuts  of  yarn 
in  a day,  and  at  the  same  time  performed  her  other  household 
duties. 


HISTORY  OF  CUR  1ST  I AN  COUNTY,  ILLINOIS. 


31 


The  walls  of  her  cabin  home,  were  lined  with  numerous  bundles 
of  spun  yarn  and  flax,  which  she  wove  into  cloth — using  a part  to 
clothe  the  family,  and  bartering  the  balance  for  articles  of  house- 
hold use  at  the  store.  “ Calico  at  that  time  cost  37  J cents  per  yard. 

Tlicre  w’ere  no  educational  facilities  in  the  territory  w’hen  Hanon 
was  a boy,  and  bis  education  was  consequently  limited.  For  a 
short  time  he  attended  a school  taught  by  Timothy  Rodgers,  on 
Horse  creek,  in  Sangamon  county.  Eli  Matthews  and  James 
Funderburk,  of  this  county,  w’ere  his  classmates.  The  school-house 
Avas  a regularly  built  cabin,  with  paper  window's  and  one  end  open, 
forming  a huge  fire-jflace.  This  is  said  to  have  been  the  second 
school  taught  in  that  (Sangamon)  county. 

It  is  related  that  Hanon  was  very  fond  of  attending  all  the  rail- 
maulings  and  corn  shuckings,  far  and  near;  he  w'as  a lover  of  ath- 
letic sports,  and  he  and  Moses  H.  Brents  were  accounted  the 
most  popular  gallants  of  the  day.  They  often  extended  their  tours 
far  into  the  Rochester  prairie,  till  within  hailing  distance  of  the 
capital  of  the  state.  Martin  was  one  of  the  best  hunters  of  that 
day.  On  one  occasion  John  S.  Sinnet,  Jake  Gragg  (mentioned  below) 
and  himself  w'ere  out  hunting.  Sinnet  Avandered  off’  and  got  lost  from 
his  companions.  They  came  across  three  Indians,  Avhich  moved 
them  to  hunt  Sinnet.  The  Indians  follow’ed  close  behind  them. 
They  stopped  and  dismounted  ; so  did  the  Indians.  Hanon,  not 
being  Avell  acquainted  Avith  the  Indian  character,  became  some- 
Avhat  alarmed  at  their  strange  actions  ; and  more  especially  as  he 
kneAV  Gragg  to  be  a rash  man.  They  examined  their  guns  and 
])icked  their  flints;  and  the  Indians  did  likewise.  Gragg,  then,  in 
a threatening  manner  ordered  them  to  “ pucic-a-cliee  ” {i.e.,  light  out) 
and  they  did.  Gragg  turned  to  Hanon  and  said,  if  Sinnet  had 
been  present  he  Avould  have  shot  one  of  the  Indians.  It  Avas  the 
opinion  of  Hanon  that  they  made  a narroAV  escape.  In  that  day  In- 
dians Avere  quite  numerous  in  this  part  of  the  country. 

On  one  occasion,  Avhile  Hanon  Avas  out  hunting  alone,  he  saAV  a 
number  of  them  on  the  banks  of  South  Fork,  near  the  old  Elgan 
mill.  They  had  killed  sixty-eight  muskrats,  and  wei-e  skinning 
and  eating  them. 

In  one  of  his  hunting  excursions,  about  the  year  1825,  Avhen 
skirting  the  timber  w’est  of  Taylorville,  he  killed  a panther  near  by 
a small  stream,  Avhich  measured  nine  feet  from  the  tip  of  the  nose 
to  the  end  of  the  tail.  This  cireumstance  caused  the  stream  to  be 
called  Panther  creek,  by  which  name  it  has  been  known  to  this  day. 

During  the  “deep  snoAv,”  he,  in  company  Avith  Vandeveer  and 
three  or  four  others  of  the  “ Richardson  Settlement”  in  South 
Fork,  started  for  O’Banning’s  horse-mill,  then  located  on  a farm 
about  three  miles  north-east  of  Taylorville.  At  that  date  the 
latter  j)lace  did  not  exist.  They  made  a bee-line,  passing  through 
the  prairie  north  of  the  present  county  seat.  Vandeveer  had  a 
horse;  the  others  ox-team.s.  They  had  to  break  the  snow  ahead  ; 
thus  making  but  poor  headway.  They  finally  abandoned  their 
Avagons,  placing  the  sacks  on  the  backs  of  the  oxen ; and,  mounting 
on  top  of  them,  resumed  their  journey.  Vandev'eer,  having  a horse, 
pushed  through  first;  and,  Avhen  night  came,  built  signal-fires  to 
guide  the  others.  They  all  battled  their  Avay  through  that  night, 
but  suffered  much  from  the  intense  cold.  Manysuch  hardships  did 
the  pioneers  have  to  brave  in  securing  a subsistence.  The  summer 
following  the  “ deep  snow  ” there  Avas  fro.st  during  every  month, 
rendering  the  corn  raised  unfit  for  seed.  Hanon  gave  a yearling 
heifer  for  one  bushel  of  old  seed-corn,  in  the  spring  of  1832.  It 
Avas  that  spring  that  the  steamboat  “ Talisman”  ascended  the  San- 
gamon river  to  Springfield  Avith  a cargo  of  corn.  It  sold  readily 
for  $2.50  and  $3  per  bushel  for  seed-corn. 

In  the  year  1826,  Hanon  built  a cabin,  and  lived  in  it  a short 


time,  on  the  Avest  side  of  Spring  branch,  Avhere  afterwards  stood 
the  old  “ Forrest  mill,”  south  of  Taylorville.  He  returned  again 
as  a resident  of  South  Fork.  In  1834  he  purchased  an  interest  in 
the  “ Knuckols  & Wallace”  Avater  mill,  afterward  more  familiarly 
knoAvn  as  the  “ Elgan  mill.”  He  moved  his  family,  and  settled  on 
the  banks  of  the  Sangamon,  near  the  mill.  It  Avas  here  his  aged 
mother  died  in  1838.  Soon  after  this  sad  event  he  sold  out  his 
interest  in  the  mill  to  Jesse  Elgan  ; and  in  1839  settled  perma- 
nently on  his  farm,  fiA'e  miles  north-Avest  of  Taylorville.  It  Avas  on 
the  north  side  of  Horse-shoe  Prairie,  lately  owned  by  Josiah  A. 
Hill.  On  this  farm  he  resided  nearly  a quarter  of  a century. 
Here  his  aged  partner  died  on  the  28th  of  May,  1862.  She  Avas 
buried  in  the  Horse-shoe  grave-yard.  He  had  a family-of  elev'en 
children.  After  the  death  of  his  Avife,  the  children  having  groAvn 
up  and  gone  to  houses  of  their  oavu,  he  sold  the  old  homestead,  and 
retired  from  the  active  cares  of  life.  Mr.  Hanon  Avas  a man  of 
fine  physical  development  and  constitution,  and  Avas  highly  re- 
spected for  his  many  virtues.  The  latter  years  of  his  life  Avere 
spent  Avith  his  daughter,  INIrs.  iNIason,  near  Sharpsburg,  this  county, 
where  he  died,  April  5,  1879;  thus  ending  a most  eventful  life. 
He  Avould  have  been  eighty  years  old  during  that  month.  Capt. 
Jesse  Hanon,  Jr.,  is  the  eldest  son  of  Martin  Hanon,  the  first  set- 
tler. He  Avas  born  in  this  state,  and  is  noAV  a resident  of  Ricks 
toAvnship,  this  county.  (See  biographical  sketch.) 

As  mentioned  above,  Hanon’s  brothcr-in-hiAA’,  John  S.  Sinnet, 
Claiborn  IMattheAVS,  Avith  his  family,  Jacob  Gragg,  Eli  Alexander, 
and  a man  by  the  name  of  Kenchen,  all  came  and  settled  in  the 
county  soon  after  Hanon’s  arrival.  The  exact  time  of  the  arrival 
of  these  parties  seems  to  be  a conflicting  question.  In  some  in- 
stances AA’e  find  that  they  came  in  the  year  1818,  and  again  in  1819; 
but  it  is  undoubtedly  correct  to  say  that  they  came  late  in  the  fall 
of  1818,  a short  time  after  Martin  Hanon  settled,  as  he  (Hanon) 
has  stated. 

John  S.  Sinnet  Avas  a natiA'e  of  Lexington,  Ky. ; born  March  10, 
1796.  When  three  years  of  age  his  father  jnoved  to  Missouri, 
AAhere  young  Sinnet  remained  until  the  Avar  of  1812.  He  enlisted, 
and  served  his  term  in  that  Avar,  and  Avas  honorably  discharged. 
Soon  after  leavdng  the  army  he  came  to  Illinois,  then  a territory. 
In  the  year  1818  he  Avas  married  to  Miss  Rhoda  Hanon,  a sister  of 
Martin  Hanon’s.  Soon  after  this  event  they  settled  in  Avhat  is  noAV 
Christian  county.  He  located  on  land  noAV  including  the  south- 
eastern part  of  Taylorville.  He  built  a cabin  on  the  east  side  of 
the  old  Fair  Grounds  spring,  in  1826.  He  sold  this  to  Col. 
Thomas  S.  Young  in  1829,  and  built  another  in  the  ravine,  a little 
soutli-east  of  the  junction  of  tlie  O.  and  ]\I.  and  W.  St.  L and  P. 

Mary  Sinnet,  daughter  of  John  S.  Sinnet,  Avas  the  first  Avhite  child 
born  in  this  county.  Her  birth  occurred  early  in  1820. 

On  the  8th  of  March,  1840,  he  moved  from  Christian  to  TazeAvell 
county,  Avhere  he  resided  until  his  death,  January  13,  1872,  in  the 
seventy-sixth  year  of  his  age. 

Sinnet  Avas  tAvice  married  ; the  second  time  to  a IMiss  Elizabeth 
Perdue.  He  had  ten  children  by  his  first  Avife,  and  three  by  the 
last  one.  He  Avas  a great  hunter.  IMr.  Sinnet  Avas  a member  of 
the  Methodist  Church  for  over  fifty  years,  and  died  in  that  faith. 
He  Avas  a member  of  the  pioneer  IM.  E.  church  of  this  count}', 
which  held  its  meetings  at  John  Brents’  and  Father  Young’s. 

Of  the  early  history  of  Jacob  Gragg,  better  knoAvn  as  “ Jake” 
Gragg,  and  the  “ tall  man,”  there  is  but  little  knoAvn.  He  Avas  a 
ranger  in  the  Avar  of  1812.  At  one  time  during  the  Avar  he  Avith 
otli  rs  Avere  taken  prisoners  by  the  Indians.  Some  they  instantly 
killed,  and  others  Avere  reserved  for  more  severe  torture.  Gragg 
used  to  toll  that  ho  successfully  run  the  gauntlet  from  one  end  to 


32 


HISTORY  OF  CHRISTIAN  COUNTY,  ILLINOIS. 


the  other  -without  receiving  serious  injuries.  This  secured  his 
safety,  and  he  subsequently  escaped. 

"When  Gragg  first  came  to  Illinois,  in  1803,  he  settled  near  Troy, 
in  Madison  county.  He  first  squatted  on  the  place,  afterwards 
owned  by  Martin  Hanon,  on  Horse-shoe  prairie,  Christian  county. 
He,  too,  was  a celebrated  hunter,  and,  with  Martin  Hanon  and  John 
S.  Sinnet,  hunted  the  deer  and  the  honey  of  the  wild  bee  in  the  forest. 

Alexander  Matthews  is  a native  of  Tennessee.  He  is  the  son  of 
Claiborn  Matthews,  one  of  the  first  settlers  in  the  county.  His 
mother’s  maiden  name  was  Moore.  Both  his  father  and  mother 
were  natives  of  North  Carolina.  They  were  married  in  that  state, 
and  emigrated  to  Tennessee;  thence  to  Illinois  in  1817.  First 
located  in  the  southern  part  of  the  state.  Alexander  was  about  five 
years  of  age  when  his  parents  settled  in  this  county  the  following 
year.  They  settled  in  what  is  now  South  Fork  township,  near  the 
stream  known  by  that  name.  He  is  the  only  surviving  member  of 
the  family,  and  has  always  continued  to  live  near  where  they  fir.st 
settled.  Is  now  past  sixty-six  years  of  age,  having  lived  over 
sixty-one  years  in  the  county.  Has  been  twice  married,  and  has 
rai.sed  a family  of  four  children.  He  is  justice  of  the  peace  in 
Buckhart  township. 

The  Brents  were  an  old  pioneer  family  in  this  county  ; settled 
here  in  1820.  William  C.  Brents  was  born  in  Livingston  county, 
K)".,  in  1814,  and  came  to  this  county  with  his  widowed  mother 
and  family  when  about  six  years  of  age.  They  settled  and  ini- 
l)rovcd  a farm  about  five  miles  north-west  of  Taylorville,  now  owned 
bv  Joel  Potts.  The  place  where  their  rude  cabin  home  stood,  on  the 
oast  side  of  the  old  orchard,  supposed  to  have  been  made  by  them,  is 
still  visible.  In  1824  tlie  family  removed  to  the  farm  half  a mile  south 
of  Taylorville,  where  William  C.  breathed  his  last,  February  3d, 
18G1,  aged  forty-seven  years.  i\[any  of  the  older  settlers  remem- 
ber the  old  Brents’  cabin  and  its  hospitable  inmates,  all  of  whom 
have  passed  away. 

William  C.  Brents  was  held  in  high  esteem,  and  was  the  recipient 
of  several  offices  of  trust.  He  was  several  times  elected  as  consta- 
ble, and  served  as  sheritt'  in  1854-5.  He  was  generous  to  a fault ; 
the  latch-string  of  his  house  was  always  out,  and  many  a one  he 
aided  and  succored  in  time  of  need.  His  brothers,  Bimeon  and 
John,  came  here  at  the  same  time.  The  latter  owned  and  made  the 
fir.st  imj)rovcments  on  the  Hall  farm  two  miles  cast  of  Taylorville, 
before  the  “deep  snow,”  in  1830.  He  sold  it,  in  1834,  to  Jesse 
Ininglcy,  and  returned  to  Kentucky.  In  18;U  the  first  Methodist 
meeting  in  Taylorville  townshi|)  was  held  at  his  house. 

Simeon  Brents  was  in  the  Black  Hawk  war.  Ho  was  married 
November  10,  1810,  to  Mi.ss  Mary  Blalock,  at  tho  residence  of 
Morgan  Goode,  J.  P.  This  was  the  first  marriage  in  Taylorville. 

The  land  on  which  Taylorville  is  located  was  entered  by  Daniel 
(’.Goode  in  1835.  Goode  was  a Kentuckian  by  birth.  He  settled 
in  Ilor.sc-shoc  jjrairie,  this  comity,  in  1821  ; was  a resident  of  Ban- 
gamon  countv  as  early  as  1810.  Daniel  C.  Goode  was  a true  tyjie 
of  the  pioneer.  In  p.T.son  he  was  portly  and  erect;  his  bearing 
nolile  and  commanding;  his  forehead  high  and  broad;  his  features 
regular,  exjiressive,  .'^trong  and  masculine.  He  was  po&.scssed  of 
many  marked  traits  of  character.  Firm,  decided  and  uncompro- 
mi.-'ing  in  his  own  views,  he  ipiailed  at  no  danger;  a warm  friend, 
blit  bitter  enemy,  lie  was  what  might  be  termed  a jiioneer  .«tales- 
mun.  llis  juilgnient  of  men  ami  things  was  good.  In  jiolitics  he 
was  a democrat,  and  iiiaiiitaiiied  the  doctrines  of  the  jiarty  without 
fear,  and  exerei.-'cd  a great  inlliieiice  at  elections.  He  was  al.-^o  a 
great  hunter,  and  fond  of  •■'port.  He  assisted  in  raising  the  first 
log  hoii.e  ill  B|)ringfiel(l.  It  was  often  his  custom  to  wear  a buck-, 
.-kill  hunting  shirt  ami  bn  eches.  He  dieil  .March  28,  181.5,  ami 


was  buried  at  the  root  of  a tree  on  his  farm  that  he  had  selected  as 
his  last  I'esting  place. 

Miss  Hannah  Hanon,  a sister  of  Martin  Hanon,  married  Samuel 
Miller  in  Kentucky.  They  emigrated  to  this  state  in  the  fall  of 
1823,  and  settled  in  South  Fork  township,  on  a farm  near  “ Elgan’s 
Mill.”  IMiller  died  in  1833. 

Samuel  Wydick,  a native  of  Pennsylvania,  emigrated  and  settled 
on  the  Flat  Branch,  in  Prairietou  township,  in  1824.  He  was 
about  the  first  white  man  in  that  section,  coming  one  year  before 
his  neai’est  neighbor,  Peter  It.  Ketcham,  who  settled  about  six  miks 
below  him.  Game  was  then  so  plentiful  in  that  section  that  he 
often  stood  in  his  cabin  door  and  shot  deer.  He  was  a soldier  in 
the  war  of  1812,  and  akso  in  the  Black  Hawk  war. 

At  seeing  the  soldiers  mustered  for  the  contest  of  the  late  civil 
war  his  heart  was  fired  with  all  the  patriotic  spirit  of  old  ; he 
joined  Capt.  Long’s  company  in  August,  18G1,  and  marched  to 
Decatur.  The  “ boys  in  blue”  had  great  respect  for  the  aged  vete- 
ran. So  robust  and  active  was  he  that  he  passed  muster  easily, 
giving  his  age  at  forty-one — though  eighty-one  years  old — at  Camp 
Pugh,  Decatur.  His  company  formed  a i>art  of  Col.  Pugh’s  regi- 
ment, which  marched  to  St.  Louis  the  same  week.  A correspondent 
says  of  him  : “ He  endured  the  hardships  incident  to  the  tented 
field  with  as  much  bravery  and  spirit  as  did  his  more  youthful  com- 
panions in  arms.”  He  died  in  his  country’s  service,  in  St.  Louis, 
April  22d,  18G2,  at  the  ripe  age  of  eighty-two  years. 

The  first  cog-mill  built  in  this  section  of  country  was  by  Thomas 
Dawson,  on  the  William  B.  Hall  farm.  Dawson  was  a pioneer 
settler. 

Daniel  Miller  was  a man  familiarly  known  to  the  early  settlers, 
and  is  well  remembered  by  many  of  the  citizens  of  the  county  at 
this  date.  He,  like  many  of  our  pioneers,  was  a self-made  man, 
and  rose  to  considerable  jirominence  in  the  county.  He  was  born 
in  Kentucky,  in  1818,  and  at  the  age  of  five  years  came  with  his 
father’s  family  to  this  county,  settling  in  South  Fork  township  in 
1823.  His  early  years  were  spent  on  his  father’s  farm,  devoting 
his  leisure  hours  to  reading  and  study.  He  attended  school  about 
four  months  in  all ; was  a pupil  of  Elijah  Hanon,  who  taught  the  first 
school  in  Christian  county  in  1827,  in  a log-cabin,  two  miles  north- 
east of  Taylorville.  After  this  he  built  a small  cabin  on  the  Reese 
farm,  in  South  Fork,  below  old  Esquire  Council’s  homestead,  where, 
in  1828,  he  mastered  arithmetic,  and  made  progress  in  other  studies. 
At  the  early  age  of  seventeen  he  taught  school,  lie  took  an  active  part 
in  the  formation  of  the  county.  Under  the  nom  de  jdtime  of  “ East 
Sangamon”  he  wrote  and  published  in  the  Springfiekl  Republican 
several  able  articles  advocating  the  division  of  Sangamon  county. 
In  August,  1843,  he  was  elected  constable  of  South  Fork  precinct, 
and  served  for  a time  as  treasurer  of  the  school  fund.  Soon  after 
the  location  of  Taylorville,  he  made  it  his  residence.  He  was  a 
candidate  for  county  clerk  in  1840,  and  was  defeated  by  only  a lew 
votes  ; was  elected  county  school  commissioner  August  4th,  1845, 
without  opj)osition.  At  one  time  he  was  a deputy  sheriff.  He  was 
admitted  to  the  bar  in  this  county,  and  as  a practicing  attorney 
received  a liberal  share  of  the  ca.scs  in  court.  In  August,  1847,  he 
was  elected  county  clerk  for  a term  of  four  years,  but  died  the  fol- 
lowing year,  November  9,  1848. 

Gabriel  IMcdvcnzic  settled  in  the  county  at  an  early  date.  He 
vas  a great  fiddler,  and  i)layed  for  all  the  dances  and  frolics  in  this 
j>art  of  the  country.  Was  born  in  1797,  and  died  in  Taylorville, 
October  22,  ]8(J2. 

U.  Preston  Langley,  now  a resident  of  the  Horsc-shoc  ])rairic, 
came  to  this  county  in  1831.  He  is  a brother  ofJes.se,  Josiah,  and 
Thomas  Langley;  he  is  the  only  survivor  of  the  brothers. 


HISTORY  OF  CHRISTIAN  COUNTY,  ILLINOIS. 


33 


Anotlicr  old  pioneer  was  Jesse  Murpliy,  who  came  here  in  1829,  and 
sojourned  for  a short  time  in  Horse-shoe  prairie.  He  taught  school 
here  in  1831,  about  two  miles  west  of  Taylorville.  AVe  will  here 
give  a passing  notice  of  a few  of  the  very  early  settlers  who  lived 
in  close  proximity  to  Horse  shoe.  Among  the  number  was  John 
B.  Pittman,  father  of  Mrs.  R.  P.  Langley.  He  was  born  in  Ireland 
in  1776,  came  to  America,  and  settled  in  Christian  county  in 
1830,  and  died  in  1834.  His  wife’s  name  was  Elizabeth  Langley. 
They  lived  and  died  on  Clear  creek,  one  mile  north  of  Horse  shoe. 
Thomas  Jones  and  family  lived  one  mile  west  of  Pittman’s,  in  1829. 
They  moved  to  Missouri  in  1840.  Joseph  Denton,  father  of  Isaac 
Denton,  lived  on  Clear  creek  before  the  “deep  snow,”  and  not  fur 
di.-^tant  from  Horse-shoe  prairie. 

In  1824  Solomon  Meads  and  his  brother  JosejJi  came,  and 
first  located  below  “Elgan’s  Mill,”  in  South  Fork  township,  where 
they  lived  a few  years,  then  moved  to  Bear  creek.  Solomon  died 
December  12tb,  1871,  at  the  age  of  ninety  years,  six  months  and 
nineteen  days,  and  was  buried  in  the  Catholic  cemetery  on  Bear 
creek. 

The  Young  family  emigrated  from  Kentucky  to  Christian  county 
in  1825.  “ Old  Johnny  Young,”  his  sons,  William,  father  of  Peter 
Cartwright  Young,  Ezekiel,  commonly  called  “Black  Zeke,”  and 
Jarret,  all  came  together.  The  father,  John  Young,  settled  and 
improved  the  John  S.  Fraley  farm,  four  miles  cast  of  Taylorville, 
where  he  died  in  1834.  His  son  Thomas,  familiarly  known  as 
“ Big  Tommy  Young,”  did  not  arrive  till  1829.  He  ])urchased  a 
small  improved  claim,  and  settled  on  it,  which  was  a short  distance 
south  of  the  present  R.  P.  Langley  place  on  Horse-shoe  prairie. 
He  was  celebrated  for  breeding  fine  hogs,  and  always  keeping  the 
best  stock  in  the  country.  Jarret  Young  was  only  fourteen  years 
old  when  he  came  with  his  2^arents  to  this  county. 

“ Old  Field  Jarvis  ” is  well  remembered  by  many  of  the  older 
settlers;  he  came  also  in  1825.  He  was  very  tall  in  stature,  and 
often  had  to  stoop  to  pass  into  many  of  the  cabins;  and,  when 
within,  not  unfrequently  his  head  would  be  above  the  loft.  On  one 
occasion  when  thus  situated,  he  asked,  “Who  lives  here?”  The 
lady  of  the  cabin  replied,  “ Come  down  and  see.” 

Peter  and  Christopher  Ketcham  were  natives  of  Alabama.  Peter 
Ketcham  was  born  about  1805,  and  at  the  age  of  twenty  came  to 
this  county  and  settled  on  Flat  Branch,  about  eighteen  miles  north- 
east of  Taylorville,  in  1825.  He  was  one  of  the  early  settlers  in 
that  part  of  the  county.  AVas  a Methodist  minister,  and  is  said  to 
have  organized  the  first  M.  E church  in  the  county,  in  1828,  at  his 
own  residence,  where  meetings  were  held  for  a number  of  years. 
He  was  elected  justice  of  the  peace  for  Buckhart  precinct  (Sanga- 
mon county)  in  1835,  and  re-elected  in  1839,  after  the  organization 
of  Christian.  He  administered  the  oath  to  the  commissioners  at 
Allenton,  before  they  located  Taylorville  as  the  county  seat.  AA'^as 
elected  a member  of  the  county  commissioners’  court,  August  4th, 
1845.  Flis  son.  Green  B.  Ketcham,  was  elected  coroner  of  the 
county  in  1844.  Before  the  Rebellion  the  family  moved  to  Texa.s, 
where  most  of  them  were  killed  by  Indians.  His  brother,  Chris- 
topher, who  came  to  the  county  with  him,  improved  a farm  ad- 
joining, where  he  resided  until  his  death. 

Martin  Miller,  a native  of  Kentucky,  born  October  6tb,  1820, 
emigrated  when  only  five  years  old,  with  his  father  to  the  territory 
now  embraced  within  this  county.  He  was  one  of  the  pupils  of  the 
first  school  taught  in  the  county  by  Elijah  Hanon,  in  a log-house, 
two  miles  east  of  Taylorville. 

AVilliam  AVallis,  a native  of  North  Carolina,  emigrated  with  his 
wife  to  Sangamon  county  in  1819,  from  which  place  he  moved  to  this 
county  in  the  fall  of  1825,  and  opened  a small  farm  one  mile  east 
5 


of  Taylorville.  Mr.  AVallis  died  on  his  farm,  December  0th, 
1844. 

A hardy  old  2)ioneer  was  John  Durbin,  better  known  as 
/‘Stumpy  John.”  He,  with  his  sons,  John  Z.,  Josephus,  and 
Leonard,  emigrated  from  Kentucky  in  1828,  and  pitched  their 
tent  in  the  “Richardson  Settlement,”  lower  South  Fork  precinct. 
He  died  in  1831,  and  was  buried  on  Bear  creek.  The  year  they 
came,  1828,  was  the  exciting  Presidential  contest  betw'een  General 
Jackson  and  John  Quincy  Adams,  and  John  Z.  Durbin  walked  all 
the  way  to  Springfield,  and  cast  his  first  vote  for  the  old  hero  of 
New  Orleans.  He  raised  fine  crops  of  flax  and  cotton  in  1829.  It 
is  said  that  John  Z.  was  the  first  jierson  married  in  Christian 
county.  He  was  quite  a hunter  in  his  younger  years.  Alany  wolves 
and  deer  have  been  brought  to  grief  by  his  trusty  rifle.  He  was  at 
one  time  proprietor  of  tlie  “ Durbin  Owaueco”  business  house  on 
the  county  road  from  Pana  to  Taylorville. 

Je.sse  Langl^'  was  born  in  Kentucky,  Aj^ril  18th,  1796;  emi- 
grated to  this  county  in  1828;  purchased  and  settled  on  a small 
improvement  made  by  a Mr.  Armstrong,  on  tlie  south  side  of 
“ Horse-shoe,”  about  six  miles  west  of  Taylorville.  In  1834  be 
moved  to  and  imj)roved  the  place  fin-merly  occupied  hy  John 
Brents,  one  and  a half  miles  east  of  Taylorville,  where  he  settled 
permanently.  Here  he  erected  a horse-mill,  and  built  a distillerv 
in  1837.  He  often  wore  the  garb  so  common  with  pioneers — a 
wolf-skin  cap,  bucLskin  hunting  shirt  and  breeches.  He  died 
March  4th,  1847,  aged  fifty-one  years. 

In  1827,  AVilliam  George,  a native  of  Virginia,  emigrated  to 
this  county,  and  settled  in  Buckhart  towmship,  a few  miles  north 
of  Edinburg.  He  died  soon  after  he  located  there,  in  the  same 
year,  aged  ninety-four  years.  He  had  a family  of  six  children, 
three  boys  and  three  girls.  His  son,  John  George,  was  eight  years 
of  age  w'hen  he  came  to  this  county  with  his  lather,  and  has  con- 
tinued to  reside  in  tlie  county  ever  since.  During  most  of  this 
time  he  lived  on  his  farm  in  Buckhart.  In  1874  he  moved  to  " 
Taylorville,  and  subsequently  purchased  an  interest  in  a flouring- 
mill  in  Pana,  w hich  burned  down  in  1875.  In  connection  with 
AA”.  F.  INIinnis,  he  rebuilt,  and  went  into  operation  in  February, 
1876. 

James  Burker,  a Kentuckian  by  birth,  came  here  in  1828, 
and  settled  in  Alt.  Auhurn  townshii).  He  built  a waiter  mill 
on  the  north  fork  of  the  Sangamon  river,  familiarly  known  as 
“ Barker’s  Alill.”  AVas  a constable  and  justice  of  the  peace  for 
many  years.  He  also  took  a great  interest  in  all  agricultural 
movements,  and  introduced  some  of  the  first  thorough-bred  stock  in 
the  county.  He  was  an  industrious  farmer,  good  citizen,  and  a 
kind  neighbor.  Died  at  the  advanced  age  of  eighty-two  years  on 
the  4th  of  February,  1869.  His  wdfe  died  three  years  later  at  the 
same  age ; eighty-two  years. 

The  first  settlement  of  the  Bear  creek  region  of  the  county  began 
in  1829.  Three  fiimilies,  viz.,  Esquire  Joseph  P.  Durbin,  a native 
of  Kentucky;  Nathaniel  Painter,  and  old  Grandfather  Dnrbin,  all 
came  together  in  one  wagon,  drawn  by  a yoke  of  oxen,  and  settled 
near  each  other  on  Bear  creek.  They  suffered  many  hardships 
incident  to  the  jiioneer.  They  were  compelled  to  go  thirty  or  forty 
miles  to  mill,  and  to  do  their  trading.  Esquire  Durbin  dressed  a 
pair  of  mill-stones,  and  constructed  a rude  horse-mill,  which  did 
good  service  during  the  “ deep  snow.”  At  one  time  he  owned  a 
distillery  ; was  justice  of  the  jieace  for  many  years;  first  elected  in 
August,  1835,  whilst  under  the  jiulsdiction  of  Alontgomery  county. 

In  1850  he  moved  to  Locust  townshij),  and  settled  one  mile  south 
of  Owaueco,  where  he  continued  to  live  until  his  death,  October  5th, 
1875.  At  one  time  there  was  a large  connection  of  the  Durbin 


u 


HISTORY  OF  CHRISTIAN  COUNTY,  ILLINOIS. 


fiimily  living  in  this  county.  They  were  ali  adherents  of  the 
Ivoinan  Catholic  religion,  and  they  looked  up  to  the  Esquire  as  a 
kind  of  spiritual  father  and  adviser  in  the  absence  of  a priest. 

The  Kichardsons  all  came  from  Christian  count}",  Ky.,  and 
formed  what  has  been  known  as  the  “Richardson  Settlement,”  in 
1829.  Isaac  Richardson,  Jr.,  came  with  his  parents  to  this  county ; 
lost  his  arm  b}'  accident  in  a threshing  machine.  Was  a member 
of  the  firm  of  Amos  Richardson  A Ero.  in  the  dry-goods  business  in 
Taylorville  at  the  time  of  his  death,  January  19,  18-51.  He  was  a 
bachelor.  William  Richardson,  brother  of  Robert  Richardson, 
was  a native  of  North  Carolina  ; emigrated  to  Kentucky,  and  from 
thence,  with  his  brother,  to  this  county  in  1829,  and  settled  on  the 
east  side  of  the  prairie.  Ilis  wife’s  name  was  Jemima  Richardson. 
They  had  nine  children  born  to  them.  Isaac  Richardson,  Sr.,  died 
January  18,  1872  ; Harvey  Richardson  died  May  10,1878.  These 
two  brothers  lived  about  a mile  north-west  of  “Ralston’s  Bridge,” 
and  both  lie  buried  in  the  Finley  grave-yard. 

El  bert  Richardson,  a native  of  North  Carolina,  born  July  3d, 
1785.  ^landed  a Miss  Elizabeth  West  in  1805.  Emigrated  to 
Kentucky  in  1809,  and  from  thence  to  Illinois  in  1829,  settling  on 
a farm  ten  nnles  west  of  Taylorville,  where  he  lived  until  his  death, 
November  17,  1855.  His  farm  was  on  the  west  side  of  the  prairie, 
and  his  brother  ^^Jlliam’s  on  the  east.  They  both  had  large  fami- 
lies, and  many  of  their  descendants  are  still  living  in  the  county. 
Robert  was  a great  friend  and’ supporter  of  religion,  and  through 
his  energies  a IMethodist  society  was  organized  at  an  early  date. 
Services  were  held  in  the  school-house  nearby  till  the  erection  of  a 
new  house  of  woi’ship.  It  is  now  known  as  the  Bethany  IM.  E. 
church.  When  he  arrived  in  the  county.  South  Fork  had  but  few 
inhabitants.  He  put  up  a double  log-house,  with  an  entry  between. 
It  was  late  in  the  fall,  and  he  did  not  get  time  to  make  doors,  but 
hung  up  quilts  instead,  which  afforded  poor  protection  against  the 
cold  winds  and  drifting  snow. 

Amos  Richardson  was  born  in  Kentucky,  November  0,  1811  ; 
was  married  in  Sangamon  county,  and  had  a large  family  born  to 
him.  He  held  several  offices  in  the  county.  Elected  constable  Au- 
gust 5th,  1839.  Was  the  first  deputy  sheriff  in  1839.  AVas  elected 
sheriff  August  1,  1842,  and  a member  of  the  county  court  Novem- 
ber (1,  1849.  Was  an  active  mend)er  of  the  IMethodist  church,  a 
good  citizen,  and  highly  esteemed  for  his  moral  worth.  Hied  in 
Taylorville,  November  1,  1852. 

Je.sse  Richardson  lived  on  a farm  near  his  father’s  for  many 
years,  but  subsequently  moved  to  Taylorville.  He  came  with 
his  jiarnits  to  the  eounty  in  1829.  He  never  married. 
Was  elected  comity  treasurer  in  1849.  Hied  Sejitcmber  23,  1855. 

•lames  Minnis  came  to  this  county  also  in  1829,  and  .settled  and 
improve* I a farm  on  “Horse-shoe  prairie,”  si.v  miles  north-west  of 
'faylorville,  where  he  died  in  1800.  His  wife  survived  him  until 
1873.  'fhey  had  ten  children,  most  of  whom  arc  yet  living. 

.\n  old  veter.'in  of  the  war  of  1812,  and  a soldier  in  the  Black 
Hawk  war,  was  Shadrack  -J.  Campbell,  born  in  East  Tenncs.see. 
He  emigratetl  early  in  the  fall  of  1829,  with  his  family,  to  this 
ei)unty,  anil  settled  on  flection  3,  'f.  14 — 3 west.  Tlic  South  Fork 
timber  projected  out  into  the  prairie  at  his  place,  and  it  took  tlic 
name  of  “ ( 'ampbell’s  Point,”  by  whieli  it  was  familiarly  known  lor 
years.  Soon  after  his  settlement  he  was  elected  a justice  of  the 
peace  [trobably  in  18.31.  IIi;  held  that  office  until  his  death  in 
1-H4I!.  He  w;i-  a candidate  for  the  legislature,  which  then  held  its 
s -..'inns  in  A’andalia,  i.nd  wi..s  defVate  1 by  only  one  vote.  His  wife, 
a noble,  self 'aerilii.-ing,  kind,  and  hospitable  woman,  survived  him 
over  thirty  three  years. 

Col.Tlioma.-  S.,  .Marcus  L.  and  John  A’oiing,  native.s  of  Ken- 


tucky, all  came  to  this  county  in  1829,  and  settled  on  Flat  Branch, 
south  of  Taylorville. 

John  Finley,  his  wife,  and  son  Andy,  natives  of  Kentucky,  emi- 
grated to  this  county  the  same  year.  Andy  was  a great  deer 
hunter 

Jesse  Murphy,  wlio  figured  quite  prominently  in  the  organization 
of  the  county,  was  a native  of  Tennessee,  born  February  6,  1792, 
and  came  to  this  county  in  1829.  He  settled  and  improved  a farm 
about  two  miles  west  of  Taylorville.  He  I’aised  a large  family, 
several  of  whom  still  reside  in  the  county.  He  was  appointed, 
April  16th,  1839,  the  first  collector.  In  1843  he  was  elected  assessor 
and  treasurer  for  the  county,  and  re-elected  in  August,  1847.  In 
1856  w"as  elected  to  the  office  of  coroner  for  a term  of  two  years. 
He  died  in  Taylorville,  November  3d,  1865,  aged  seventy-three 
years. 

John  Gore,  Sr.,  known  as  the  “ twenty-five  cent  man,”  settled  on 
a farm  four  miles  west  of  the  county  seat  in  1830.  He  was  called 
the  “twenty-five  cent  man”  from  the  fact,  that  in  selling  his  surplus 
corn  crop,  he  would  never  take  less  than  twenty-five  cents  per 
bushel ; nor  would  he  ever  charge  more,  even  if  the  market  price 
was  fifty  cents  per  bushel.  He  was  a zealous  member  of  the  IM.  E. 
church,  and  his  house  was  a noted  stopping-place  for  the  preachers 
of  that  denomination. 

The  second  school  in  the  county  w'as  taught  by  AVni.  IMcCullough, 
in  1831,  in  an  old  log-house,  about  two  miles  east  of  Taylorville, 
above  the  Hall’s  wood  pasture,  on  ihe  Flat  Branch  road,  John 
Brents  then  owned  this  farm,  and  the  school-hou.se  was  on  his  land. 
McCullough  is  said  to  have  been  a good  teacher,  but  at  times  a 
little  intemperate,  and  on  such  occasions  many  amusing  things 
would  happen  in  his  school. 

The  first  settler  on  cast  Bear  creek  was  AValter  Clark,  born  in 
Virginia,  April  12th,  1788.  Married  a Aliss  Young,  daughter  of 
Peter  Young,  in  Ohio,  by  whom  he  had  six  children.  His  son, 
Hennis  Clark,  was  judge  of  Knox  county.  111.,  for  a number  of 
years.  Mr.  Clark  came  with  his  family  to  Illinois  in  1821,  and 
after  several  removals  to  different  parts  of  the  state,  he  settled  on 
Bear  creek,  in  this  county,  March  26th,  1831.  He  located  on  the 
cast  sidq  of  the  creek  timber,  not  far  from  Palmer.  They  came 
from  Sangamon  county  on  foot,  not  able  to  own  a team,  bringing 
with  them  a yearling  heifer,  a gun,  axe,  and  hoes.  They  soon  built 
a log-cabin,  16  by  18  feet  in  size,  wdth  a large  fire-place  and  puncheon 
floor.  That  spring  they  cleared  five  acres  in  the  edge  of  the  timber, 
and,  with  their  hoes,  dug  places  in  the  ground,  dropped  the  corn, 
and  attended  it  the  whole  season  with  nothing  but  the  hoe,  and 
rai.sed  a fair  croj).  The  following  winter  was  a trying  one  on  the 
family ; with  no  team  to  go  to  mill,  they  beat  their  corn  in  a mortar, 
and  used  a piece  of  punctured  buckskin,  drawn  over  a hoop,  for  a 
sieve.  At  this  date  deer  and  all  kinds  of  game  were  jilentiful  in 
this  section,  and  they  did  not  want  for  meats.  In  1832,  John 
Baker,  who  settled  about  three  miles  north,  was  his  nearest  neigh- 
bor. Christopher  Durbin  was  also  living  in  the  neighborhood. 
There  were  three  hundred  and  fifty  Indians  encamped  over  Sunday 
on  Bear  creek.  They  were  very  religious,  and  held  services  on 
the  Sabbath.  An  Indian  preached.  The  Durbins  had  Clark 
arre.sted  for  killing  an  Indian  who  was  very  troublesome 
in  the  neighborhood,  but  ho  was  acquitted  on  trial,  and 
tho.se  can.-iing  his  arrest  were  eager  to  secure  again  the  friend- 
.‘ihip  of  Walter  (dark.  He  moved  to  Alton  in  1836,  and  died  in 
St  Louis,  April  Pith,  1846. 

.John  Davis  .settled  on  the  Sangamon,  in  Alt.  Auburn  township, 
in  1831.  His  .son,  Henry  Davis,  was  an  early  merchant  in  the 
town  of  Mt.  Auburn. 


HISTORY  OF  CinnSTIAN  COUNTY,  ILLINOIS. 


Esquire  Wni.  M.  Thompson  was  n Kentuckian,  and  emigrated 
to  tins  county  in  1832.  His  first  wife  died  in  1846.  Tlieir  daughter 
was  the  wife  of  Samuel  Brents.  December  6th,  1847,  Thompson 
married,  again,  Mrs.  Polly  Wallis.  They  are  now  both  dead.  The 
Esquire  was  a soldier  in  the  war  of  1812,  under  Gen.  Jackson,  to 
whom  he  was  devotedly  attached.  lie  Avas  elected  justice  of  the 
peace  on  the  organization  of  the  county  in  1839,  and  held  the  office 
successively  for  over  fifteen  years,  till  his  death.  A great  many 
amusing  stories  are  told  about  Thompson,  that  occurred  during  his 
official  life ; he  was  greatly  respected. 

In  1833  came  Thomas  Young,  Sr.,  a native  of  South  Carolina, 
lie  settled  about  one  mile  south-west  of  the  county  .seat.  Five  of 
his  sons  came  to  this  county — Col.  Thomas  S.  in  1829,  and  James 
in  1830,  spoken  of  above;  and  the  other  three,  Frederick,  Ezekiel 
S.,  and  John  W-,  came  with  their  father  in  1833.  Old  Father 
Young  died  on  his  farm,  March  24th,  1845;  his  wife  followed  him 
a year  or  two  afterwards. 

Gavin  Ralston,  Sr.,  was  a native  of  Scotland.  Married  a Miss 
Cynthia  Vandeveer  in  Indiana.  Emigrated  and  settled  in  South 
Fork  township,  on  the  banks  of  the  Sangamon,  in  1834-  The 
bridge  over  the  stream  has  taken  his  name.  Ralston  was  a member 
of  the  first  county  court;  he  died  in  1846. 

J.  M.  Wilkinson,  a Kentuckian,  and  James  Harris,  from  Ten- 
nessee, were  among  others  who  settled  the  same  year. 

Gabriel  R.  Jernigan,  born  in  North  Carolina,  IMay  9,  1802,  came 
with  his  family  to  this  county  early  in  1835,  settling  on  Bear  Creek. 
They  lived  with  Walter  Clark  until  a cabin  was  built  on  his  place. 
He  was  an  active  Democratic  partisan,  and  took  a prominent  part 
in  the  formation  of  the  county.  On  its  organization  he  was  ap- 
pointed, by  the  county  court,  the  first  county  treasurer.  In  1840 
he  was  elected  to  the  same  office  for  a term  of  two  years.  Was 
also  elected  sheriff  of  the  county;  and  in  November,  1849,  he  was 
elected  one  of  the  associate  justices  of  the  county  court  for  a term 
of  four  years.  He  was  also  honored  with  an  election  as  state 
senator  in  November,  1852.  He  held  the  office  of  police  magistrate 
of  Taylorville  in  1858,  and  other  minor  offices.  Died  August  3d, 
1866. 

Jesse  Elgan,  nativity  Maryland,  came  in  1835,  and  located  ten 
miles  north-west  of  Taylorville,  near  “ Elgan’s  Mill,”  which  he 
owned  for  a time.  He  was  one  of  the  contractors  in  building  the 
first  court-house.  Was  twice  elected  a member  of  the  county 
court. 

BEE-IIUNTING. 

The  destiny  of  the  Indian,  is  to  recede  before  the  approach 
of  the  white  man  ; it  is  the  province  of  the  honey-bee  to  act  on  the 
reverse,  and  precede  the  advance  of  civilization.  The  approach  of 
the  honey-bee  was  always  a sad  harbinger  to  the  Indians ; for  they 
knew  the  pale  faces  were  not  far  behind.  At  an  early  period  bees 
were  very  numerous  in  Illinois,  in  the  groves  and  along  the  skirts 
of  timber;  hence  the  product  of  the  hive  became  a desirable  com- 
modity in  trade  and  commerce;  and  Avhen  the  farmer  wished  a 
little  “ land  office  ” money,  this  was  about  the  only  article  that 
would  readily  command  it.  They  would  take  their  beeswax,  deer- 
skins and  peltries  to  the  leading  water-courses,  and  descend  in  their 
canoes  or  improvised  boats,  constructed  for  the  purpose,  to  the  St. 
Louis  market. 

Bee-hunting  excursions  were  of  annual  occurrence.  In  the  spring 
of  1822,  says  an  old  settler  (Samuel  Williams),  bees  were  very 
plenty  in  the  timber  in  the  northern  and  north-eastern  part  of 
Christian  county.  “ Father  and  I concluded  to  go  on  a bee-hunting 
excursion.  With  covered  wagon,  and  necessary  outfit,  we  started 
eastward  from  Campbell’s  Point.  The  first  night  we  camped  in 


Buckhart  Grove;  the  next  night  on  IMosquito  creek,  near  the  blue 
mounds  in  the  prairie.  Not  far  from  this  point,  we  pitched  our 
tent,  and  remained  three  or  four  weeks.  In  the  timber  along  these 
streams,  Ave  found  thirty  bee  trees.  On  one  favorable  day  found 
ten,  the  greatest  number  Ave  ever  found  in  one  day;  the  common 
aA'erage  on  good  days  being  from  two  to  soA'cn.  W e secured  this 
trip  forty-five  gallons  of  honey  and  sixty  pounds  of  beeswax.  Soon 
after  our  return  home  I Avent  to  Springfield,  then  just  laid  out,  to 
sell  our  wax.  This  Avas  my  first  visit  to  the  town,  then  containing 
less  than  a dozen  houses,  the  destined  capital  of  a great  state. 
Elijah  Isles  Avas  then  the  only  merchant  in  the  little  town.  He 
kept  his  store  in  a log-house,  about  one  block  Avest  of  the  ‘Alton 
Depot.’  I found  him  at  leisure;  he  was  affable  and  quite  social, 
and  Ave  soon  made  a trade,  he  giving  me  25  cents  per  joound  for  my 
Avax,  but  chiefly  in  goods.  In  the  fall  of  1822,  m\'”  father  and  I 
Avent  out  the  second  time  to  hunt  bees,  camping  at  the  same  locali- 
ties as  in  the  spring.  Hunteil  along  the  North  Fork  timber.  We 
found  about  forty  bee-trees  this  time.  During  the  first  afternoon 
of  our  encampment,  a Pennsylvania  Dutchman  came  into  our  camji 
on  horseback  in  a drenching  rain.  He  Avas  on  his  way  to  the 
INIilitary  Tract  to  examine  some  land.  He  passed  the  night 
Avith  us,  but  seemed  quite  discouraged.  Looking  doAvn  the  high 
bluff,  at  tbe  North  Fork,  he  inquired  its  name.  On  being  informed, 
beseemed  much  dejected,  and  exclaimed  in  his  Dutch  accent:  ‘It 
dat  ish  the  Sangamon  river,  of  which  I heard  so  much,  I ish  badly 
deceived.’  He  was  on  the  point  of  turning  back  for  home,  when 
he  Avas  encouraged  and  persuaded  to  prosecute  bis  journey.  During 
all  our  travels  in  these  two  hunting  excursions,  avc  saw  no  Avhite 
man  save  the  traveling  Dutchman !” 

“On  the  4th  of  March,  1823,  my  father  and  myself  started  cast 
on  our  third  bee-hunt.  The  third  day  being  warm,  I found  three 
trees  on  Mosquito  creek.  From  this  ])oint  Ave  moved  off  to  the 
right  of  the  North  Fork,  and  found  seventy  on  tbe  first  branches 
of  the  Okaw  or  Kaskaskia  river.  We  cut  forty,  and  left  the  rest 
till  fall.  In  August  of  this  year,  my  father  died,  and  in  the  fall 
one  of  my  brothers  accompanied  me  to  cut  tbe  bee  trees  left  on  our 
last  trip.  In  the  spring  and  fall  of  1824,  I Avas  employed  by 
Elias  Thompson  to  hunt  bees.  He  Avas  the  only  man  I ever  hunted 
Avith,  Avho  could  equal  me  in  finding  bee-trees.  At  the  close  of  the 
season,  Ave  came  out  about  even,  finding  150  each.  If  Maj.  Isles 
has  his  old  mercantile  books,  they  Avill  show  that  Mr.  Thompson 
and  myself  dealt  Avith  him  on  a liberal  scale  in  beesAvax  for  tAvo 
indiAuduals  about  the  dates  specified.  In  all  our  hunting  for  miles 
up  and  down  the  different  branches  of  the  various  streams,  and  in 
all  our  travels  back  and  forth,  Ave  found  no  place  Avhere  one  Avhite 
man  had  either  settled  or  commenced  an  improA’ement.  Thus  ends 
our  bee-hunting  excursions  in  an  uninhabited  country — a country 
literally  ‘floAving  Avith  milk  and  honey’ — in  central  Illinois,  during 
the  years  1822-24.” 

John  C.  Whitecraft,  a native  of  Tennessee,  Avas  born  in  Novem- 
ber, 1784.  His  father  emigrated  and  settled  in  Kentucky  Avhen  he 
Avas  a boy,  Avbcre  he  lived  to  manhood.  He  Avas  married  in  Ken- 
tucky in  1816  to  Miss  Rachel  Arnett.  Being  attracted  Avith  the 
glowing  accounts  of  the  great  “ Prairie  State,”  he  emigrated  Avith 
his  family  in  the  fall  of  1835,  and  settled  in  Christian  county,  on 
Clear  creek,  about  twelve  miles  west  of  Taylorville.  He  purchased 
one  hundred  and  sixty  acres  of  land  of  a Mr.  Rathbone,  Avhich  he 
improved  as  his  homestead.  He  completed  and  run  the  mill,  Avhich 
Avas  partly  built  on  his  place,  for  a number  of  years.  In  time  his 
children  grew  up,  and  most  of  them  settled  around  him.  They  are 
among  the  prominent  and  respected  citizens  of  the  county.  From 
numbers  and  position  the  location  has  been  known  as  the  “ White- 


3C 


II  1ST 0 BY  OF  CUBISTIAN  COUNTY,  ILLINOIS. 


craft  Sdtlemerd.'’  The  old  gentleman  was  gathered  to  his  fothers 
on  the  25th  of  July,  1847,  at  the  age  of  sixty-three  years.  His 
widow  was  accidentally  killed  by  being  thrown  from  a wagon,  with 
a run  away  team,  in  Springfield,  111.,  Sept.  23,  1875.* 

Elder  A.  D.  Aortheutt  is  a native  of  Montgomery  c )unty,  Ivy. 
lie  was  born  Sept.  11th,  1813,  was  married  on  the  25th  of  August, 

1835,  to  Miss  Salena  Masterson,  and  emigrated  to  this  county  in 

1836.  He  first  located  and  lived  for  many  years  on  a farm  in 
IMosquito  township.  At  that  early  day  there  were  but  few  settlers 
living  in  that  section;  probably  not  over  eight  or  ten  families.  He 
relates  many  of  the  hardships  and  inconveniences  of  the  early  set- 
tlers. They  had  no  milk,  no  storhs,  no  markets  for  their  surplus 
produce.  St  Lniis,  Beardstown  and  Springfield  were  the  neai-est 
trading  points.  Elder  Northeutt  attended  the  first  religious  meet- 
ings in  the  county,  and  was  among  the  first  to  preach  the  truths  of 
the  gospel  in  this  section  of  the  country.  He  was  several  times 
honored  with  official  position  by  his  fellow  citizens.  He  was  an 
active  justice  of  the  peace  in  Sangamon  before  the  formation  of  this 
county,  and  was  one  of  the  first  justices  of  the  peace  after  its  orga- 
nization in  1839,  which  office  he  continued  to  fill  for  eight  years; 
was  a member  of  the  first  board  of  supervisors  in  1866,  and  served 
in  that  capacity  for  a term  of  four  years.  He  has  been  a life-long 

• whig  and  republican.  In  1854  he  changed  his  i-esidence  to  Prai- 
rieton  township,  settling  on  the  Escpui’e  Hammer  farm,  on  Elat 
Branch,  where  he  still  resides.  For  more  than  thirty-five  years  he 
has  been  an  officiating  minister  of  the  gospel  in  the  Christian 
church. 

Here  it  is  proper  to  make  mention  of  the  name  of  a man  who  is 
unrpiestionably  the  most  distinguished  citizen  of  the  county — a man 
who  came  here  in  the  ])ioneer  era,  and  began  life  a poor  boy, 
but  who,  with  a commendable  energy  and  industry,  has  risen  to 
influence  and  wealth.  That  man  is  Judge  H.  M.  Vandeveer;  a 
name  that  has  become  a household  word  in  the  county  of  his  adop- 
tion. He  is  a native  of  Indiana,  born  in  Washington  county, 
March  1,  1816.  His  father,  Aaron  Vandeveer,  removed  to  San- 
gamon county,  Illinois,  in  the  autumn  of  1829,  and  improved  a 
farm  on  Hor.se  creek.  Here  the  judge  lived  until  the  age  of  twenty- 
one  years,  with  his  father,  and  most  of  the  time  toiled  on  the  farm. 
He  attended  a pioneer,  log-cabin  school  about  three  months.  IMost 
of  his  education  was  ac(iuired  by  ])oring  over  his  books  at  noon, 
while  the  jaded  plow-horse  fed,  and  at  night  while  the  sluggard 
slept,  and  tiie  thoughtlc.ss  di.ssii)ated  their  time  in  idle  amusements. 
He  very  early  actpiircd  a taste  for  the  reading  and  study  of  books. 
Whilst  thus  engaged,  he  attracted  the  attention  of  the  Hon.  Jno. 
'f.  Stuart,  of  Springfield,  who  tendered  him  the  use  of  his  valuable 
library,  by  means  of  which  he  acquired  some  knowledge  of  the  law. 
In  1836,  he  taught  school  in  a log-cabin  on  Andy  Finley’s  farm, 
about  twelve  miles  west  of  Taylorville.  In  time  he  was  admitted 
to  the  jiraclice  of  law,  and  soon  became  prominent  in  the  i)rofcssion. 
H(!  partici|)ated  in  the  organization  of  the  county,  and  at  the  first 
election,  held  on  the  l.'t  of  April,  183!),  he  was  elected  county 
reeiirder.  .V  few  days  later  he  was  appointed  by  the  county  court 
as  school  commissioner,  which  caused  his  removal  to  the  county- 
seat  June  l.'t,  of  the  same  year,  he  was  appointed  by  Judge 
'I’reat,  clerk  of  th(!  Circuit  Court,  which  office  he  held  for  many 
years.  lb-  wa«  (deetisl  a member  of  the  House  of  I!e|)resentatives 
in  I 12  over  .Martin  White,  the  former  representative,  and  Henry 
'f.  Fuekett,  both  po|)iilar  men. 

< )ii  hi'  return  home,  at  the  close  of  the  se.ssion  in  1843,  he  was 
reai>pointed  clerk  of  the  circuit  court.  The  same  year  he  was 

• fW'o  Uiognii'hiiMl  fur  furtluT  iMfornintion  pcrtuining  to  tliia  family. 


elected  a justice  of  the  peace;  he  was  sub.sequently  appointed  post- 
master of  Taylorville.  In  1846  he  answered  to  the  first  call  of  his 
country,  and  raised  a company  of  .solditrs  for  the  Mexican  war,  and 
was  elected  its  captain  ; but  the  company  was  rejected  by  the 
Governor,  as  the  call  of  the  Government  had  been  filled.  He  was 
short'y  afterwards  appointed  by  President  Polk  as  A.ssistant 
Quartermaster  in  the  United  States  Army,  with  the  rank  of  Cap- 
tain, and  served  in  that  position  in  the  Mexican  war.  On  his 
return  home,  at  the  close  of  the  war,  his  name  wars  prominently 
mentioned  as  a candidate  for  Congress,  but  he  withdrew  his  name 
in  the  convention.  He  had  been  twice  elected  as  Judsre  of  the 
county.  In  1860  he  was  again  returned  to  the  Legislature,  and  two 
years  later  he  was  elected  to  the  State  Senate.  In  June,  1870,  he 
was  elected  Judge  of  the  Tenth  Judicial  Circuit,  and  re-elected  in 
1873.  The  Judge  has  been  a successful  practical  practitioner  for 
a quarter  of  a century.  In  politics  he  is  a stanch  Democrat. 

Thom.as  Simp.son  migrated  from  Kentucky  in  1835,  and  settled 
near  Mechanicsburg,  Sangamon  county.  In  1846  he  moved  to 
Christian  county,  and  purchased  Col.  Thomas  P.  Bond’s  farm  on 
Bear  creek,  where  he  coutinued  to  reside  until  his  death,  December 
6th,  1856.  He  had  seven  sons,  the  most  prominent  of  whom  is 
Judge  Andrew  Simpson  ; he  is  the  eldest  son,  and  came  with  his 
parents  to  this  county  when  a boy.  He  was  born  October  22d, 
1830,  on  the  banks  of  Licking  river,  Ky.  He  is  a man  possessed 
of  a strong,  vigorous  mind,  and  early  turned  his  attention  to  the 
study  of  law,  and  now  takes  rank  among  the  best  lawyers  of  the 
county.  On  the  breaking  out  of  the  late  rebellion  he  volunteered 
his  services,  and  raised  the  first  company  from  this  county,  and  was 
elected  its  captain.  The  comjiany  became  a part  of  the  Fourteenth 
Regiment.  He  was  severely  wounded  in  the  hand  at  the  battle  of 
Pittsburg  Landing,  which  unfitted  him  for  actual  duty;  was  honor- 
ably discharged.  In  November,  1865,  he  was  elected  county  Judge. 
It  was  during  his  administration  that  township  organization  was 
effected.  He  was  a candidate  for  Congress  on  the  Republican 
ticket  in  1874;  the  district  being  largely  Democratic,  he  was 
defeated. 

James  Funderburk,  a jiioneer  of  Sangamon  county,  was  born  in 
Tennessee,  in  the  year  1810.  His  father,  Henry  Funderburk,  was 
one  of  the  early  jiioneer  emigrants  to  Illinois;  he  came  from  Ten- 
nessee in  1815,  and  settled  first  for  twu)  years  on  “ Turkey  Hill,”  in 
St.  Clair  county.  From  here  he  moved  to  wdiat  is  no.w  Sangamon 
county,  in  the  spring  of  1817  ; squatted  on  a piece  of  land  on 
Hor.se  Creek;  built  a cabin,  and  raised  a crop  that  year  with  the 
assi.stance  of  William  Nelson.  It  is  related  that  he  was  the  first 
settler,  and  that  this  was  the  first  crop  raised  in  Sangamon  county. 

James  Funderburk  married  a Miss Nelson.  He  came  to 

Christian  county  in  the  sjiring  of  1836,  and  settled  two  miles  nearly 
west  of  Taylorville,  on  Section  32. 

Janies  R.  Lucas,  born  in  Tennessee,  October  7th,  1807,  emigrated 
with  his  father,  Edward  Lucas,  to  Sangamon  county.  Ilk,  wdicii 
twenty  years  of  age,  and  .settled  on  Horse  Creek  in  1827.  He  was 
married  to  IMiss  Elizabeth  INI.  Harris,  daughter  of  Isaac  Harri.s, 
September  14th,  1828.  He  came  to  this  county  Sejitembcr  7th, 
1836,  and  first  located  on  the  west  side  of  Flat  Branch  timber, 
where  he  lived  about  five  years,  when  he  moved  to  Taylorville,  in 
Aiiril,  1840.  He  was  the  first  landlord  of  the  “Taylor  Hotel,’ 
since  known  as  the  “City  Ilotid.”  Mr.  Lucas  was  elected  the  first 
constable  in  Taylorville  ])rccinct,  after  the  organization  of  the 
county.  He  died  .June  2d,  1862. 

I'’redcri(dv  Hammer  was  al.'o  a prominent  settlor  in  1836;  he 
lived  to  an  advanced  age,  and  ilied  November  21st,  1866. 

James  Waddle,  an  old  seltlcr,  sipiattid  and  inqiroved  a farm 


HISTORY  OF  CHRISTIAN  COUNTY,  ILLINOIS. 


37 


now  adjacent  to  Taylorville  ; he  died  on  this  place,  and  the  farm 
passed  into  the  liands  of  James  Young. 

Lewis  II.  Jernigan  was  born  in  Tennessee  in  1808.  Emigrated 
to  this  county,  and  settled  on  Bear  creek  in  the  year  1836.  Mar- 
ried, in  Tennessee,  Miss  Sally  Currie.  They  came  iu  wagons 
drawn  by  oxen. 

Isaac  Harris,  a native  of  Nashville,  Tenn.  ; born  in  1780.  Was 
married  to  Miss  Rhoda  Parker,  of  Virginia,  in  1802,  and  emigrated 
to  Sangamon  county.  111.,  in  December,  1820.  He  moved  to 
Christian  county  in  the  fall  of  1836  ; located  and  improved  a farm 
four  miles  east  of  Taylorville,  where  he  spent  the  remainder  of  his 
years. 

Among  others  who  came  during  the  year  1836,  were  Ellington 
Adams,  a native  of  Kentucky,  who  emigrated  with  his  family,  and 
settled,  and  made  a farm  on  the  ridge,  five  miles  above  Stonington. 
II  iram  Walker,  a native  of  Virginia,  purchased  and  located  on  a 
farm  six  miles  north-east  of  Taylorville,  bordering  on  the  skirts  of 
the  Flat  Branch  timber.  Rev.  Isaac  Haines,  a native  of  Virginia, 
born  in  1809;  emigrated  to  this  state,  and  preached  for  two  years, 
1836-37,  on  the  Buckhart  circuit;  he  was  highly  esteemed  for  his 
many  Christian  virtues.  He  died  in  September,  1838.  Many  of 
his  descendants  are  now  residing  in  this  county.  Henry  Dickerson 
came  also  in  the  s{>ring  of  this  year.  He  served  as  constable  and 
justice  of  the  peace  in  Taylorville  precinct  for  many  years,  and 
died  in  Johnson  township. 

Judge  William  S.  Frink,  who  figures  prominently  in  the  early 
history  of  this  county,  was  born  in  Connecticut,  iu  December, 
1790;  moved  with  his  father  to  Stonington,  Conn.,  where  he  lived 
until  he  was  forty-one  years  old.  In  1831  he  went  to  New  York 
city,  where  he  engaged  in  business  for  three  years.  In  May,  1837, 
he,  with  his  family,  emigrated  to  this  state,  and  settled  at  Allenton, 
in  this  county,  where  he  resided  until  January,  1853,  when  he 
moved  to  Taylorville.  He  was  a soldier  of  the  war  of  1812.  He 
was  elected  probate  judge,  August  7th,  1843,  for  a term  of  four 
years.  On  court  days  the  judge  could  be  seen  entering  town  wuth 
the  archives  of  the  office  in  a basket  on  his  arm.  He  is  still  re- 
siding in  Taylorville,  respected  and  esteemed  by  all  for  his  sterling 
virtues  and  purity  of  character. 

Wm.  L.  Hammer  w'as  boni  in  Kentucky,  November  2d,  1817,  and 
at  the  age  of  ten  years  emigrated  with  his  father  to  Sangamon 
county.  111.,  in  1827,  where  he  lived  till  the  spring  of  1837.  At 
this  date  he  removed  with  his  father  and  family,  and  settled  on  the 
Flat  Branch,  iu  Prairieton  township.  At  the  first  general  election 
held  after  the  organization  of  the  county,  in  August,  1839,  he  was 
elected  constable  of  Stonington  precinct,  and  as  such  officer  he 
guarded,  at  the  first  term  of  court,  the  Grand  Jury,  as  it  held  its 
session  in  open  air,  where  the  present  brick  jail  now  stands.  He 
acted  as  deputy  sheriff  in  1844.  In  1846  was  elected  sheriff.  He 
was  politically  a “ Whig,”  and  was  very  popular  and  influential  in 
that  party.  October  11,  1853,  he  was  married,  in  Taylorville.  to 
ISIiss  Isabella  East.  In  December,  1854,  he  moved  to  Decatur, 
111.,  where  he  continues  to  reside. 

In  1837,  Thos.  P.  Chapman  came  to  this  county,  and  joined  the 
Stonington  Colony,  at  Old  Stonington,  where  he  continued  to  live 
till  his  death,  January  16th,  1867,  at  the  ripe  age  of  seventy-five.  He 
was  born  in  Stonington,  Conn.,  September  12th,  1791.  He  served  his 
country  in  the  war  of  1812,  in  the  capacity  of  a drummer-boy.  In 
early  days  he  was  a strong  Democrat.  Upon  meeting  a new  ac- 
quaintance his  first  question  is  said  to  have  been,  “Be  you  a Whig 
or  a Democrat?”  His  strong  patriotic  feelings  led  him,  during  the 
late  rebellion,  to  be  a “war  Democrat,”  which  culminated  in  his 
becoming  a Re2)ublican,  and  voting  for  Abraham  Lincoln  for 


President  in  1864.  On  the  formation  of  the  county  in  1839,  he  was 
chosen  one  of  the  first  members  of  the  court,  which  station  he  filled 
with  honor  to  himself  and  credit  to  his  constituency.  To  his  indus- 
try and  perseverance  the  citizens  of  Stonington  settlement  were 
much  indebted  for  the  establishment  of  a j)ost-office  in  their  mid.st; 
he  was  its  first  postmaster,  and  carried  the  mails  weekly  to  and 
from  Taylorville  on  horseback.  He  held  several  offices  of  trust, 
and  was  extensively  known  throughout  the  county,  and  highly 
esteemed  for  his  many  .social  virtues.  He  was  a member  of  the 
Masonic  fraternity,  and  at  his  death  was  buried  with  Masonic 
honors. 

Nicholas  Sanders,  a native  of  Rhode  Island,  born  April  7th, 
1805,  emigrated  to  Christian  county  in  the  spring  of  1837.  and  im- 
jiroved  a farm  on  Flat  Branch.  He  opened  a store  of  general 
goods  at  this  point  in  March,  1852,  and  remained  iu  business  for 
sixteen  years.  His  store  formed  the  nucleus  of  a town  called 
Sandersville,  in  Section  35,  of  Stonington  township. 

Among  others  who  came  to  the  county  this  year  were  Elijah  B. 
Hymen,  a native  of  Virginia;  Presley  Peek,  born  in  Keijtucky; 
Rev.  Paris  Pray,  nativity  Connecticut;  John  Hill,  Sr.,  from  Ken- 
tucky, with  his  sons,  James  H.,  Terry,  and  Gabriel ; and  Thomas 
S Leachman,  also  from  Kentucky. 

Joseph  A.  Haley,  a native  of  Kentucky;  S.  B.  Sheldon,  native* 
of  Massachusetts  ; Frank  Haines,  a native  of  Virginia;  and  James 
Ferguson,  of  Vii’ginia,  were  among  those  who  came  in  1838. 

During  1839,  the  year  the  county  was  organized,  there  was  a 
large  influx  of  population.  Prominent  among  those  who  arrived  at 
this  date  were  Morgan  Goode,  born  in  1808,  at  one  time  county 
treasurer;  William  Hargiss,  a Kentuckian;  Joel  Traylor,  a native 
of  South  Carolina  ; aud  Levi  W.  Goodau. 

David  Rutledge,  the  “Deer  Slayer”  aud  “Nimrod”  of  the  Flat 
Branch,  was  a native  of  Tennessee,  born  in  Dickinson  county  in 
1813.  He  emigrated  to  Christian  county  in  1840-  Was  married 
to  Miss  Anna  Harris,  a daughter  of  Silas  Harris,  in  1844.  He  was 
a resident  of  May  township.  He  was  very  fond  of  the  chase,  and 
devoted  much  time  to  hunting.  It  is  said  that  he  killed,  in  one 
winter,  forty-eight  deer,  besides  a large  amount  of  smaller  game. 

John  W.  Wheat  was  born  in  New  York,  September  25, 1819,  and 
came  to  this  county  in  1840.  In  that  year  he  taught  the  first 
school  in  Taylorville.  He  washy  jjrofession  a lawyer;  was  elected 
the  second  school  commissioner  of  the  county  in  August,  1831,  for 
the  term  of  two  years. 

Daniel  De  Camp  settled  in  the  county  in  June,  1843.  He  was 
born  in  Virginia,  August  31,  1824.  For  several  years  he  was  con- 
nected with  Allen’s  Great  Eastern  Stage  Line,  which  ran  through 
this  county.  He  married,  October  7th,  1847,  ]\Iiss  Pernecy  Lang- 
ley, a daughter  of  Jesse  Langley.  He  purchased  the  “ Blue  Point” 
farm  and  “ Stage  Stand”  in  February,  1851,  and  moved  there  the 
March  following.  His  farm  embraced  over  two  hundred  acres  of 
choice  land,  on  which  the  town  of  Edinburg  is  now  located.  Mr. 
De  Camp  was  fond  of  hunting  in  his  younger  days.  Has  been 
justice  of  the  peace,  and  held  other  offices  of  trust  in  his  town  and 
township.  He  served  as  Captain  of  Company  D,  of  the  130th 
Regiment  Illinois  Volunteers,  in  the  late  rebellion. 

In  recording  the  names  of  tho.se  men  who  have  been  connected 
with  the  liistory  and  development  of  Christian  county,  that  of  the  late 
Major  D.  I).  Shumway  must  not  be  forgotten.  Though  he  did  not 
become  a resident  until  1843,  he  made  an  honorable  record;  but, 
like  many  others,  did  not  live  long  afterwards  to  enjoy  it.  He  was 
born  in  Massachusetts,  September  28,  1813,  where  he  lived  until  he 
reached  the  years  of  manhood.  In  1834  he  came  west  aud  settled, 
first  in  Zanesville,  Ohio,  where  he  remained  till  1837,  when  he 


38 


HISTORY  OF  CHRISTIAN  COUNTY,  ILLINOIS. 


came  to  Montgomery  county,  111.  He  was  elected  and  served  a 
term  as  one  of  the  county  commissioners’  court  of  Montgomery 
county;  was  also  appointed  Major  of  the  State  militia.  June  3d, 
1841,  he  was  married  to  Miss  Emily  R.  Roundtree,  daughter  of 
the  late  Hon.  Hiram  Roundtree,  of  Hillsboro,  111.  In  the  spring 
of  1843  he  removed  to  Christian  county,  first  settling  on  wild  prairie 
land,  about  four  miles  east  of  Taylorville,  where  he  improved  a 
farm  of  several  hundred  acres.  In  1851  he  became  a resident  of 
Taylorville,  where  he  engaged  in  merchandizing,  his  occupation  in 
former  years,  which  he  continued  with  success  until  1858.  He  then 
retired  from  active  business  life,  having  accumulated  considerable 
Avealth.  He  Avas  a member  of  the  legal  profession,  and  for  many 
years  held  the  office  of  Master  in  Chancery  of  the  county. 

The  Major  was  a gentleman  of  culture  and  taste,  possessing  a 
noble,  generous  disposition,  and  was  highly  esteemed  among  his 
felloAv-citizens.  In  politics  he  was  a democrat.  During  his  resi- 
dence in  the  county  he  Avas  elected,  in  1845,  a member  of  the  legis- 
lature from  the  counties  of  Christian  and  Shelby;  and  at  the  fol- 
lowing session  Avas  elected  clerk  of  the  State  Senate.  In  1848  he 
Avas  a member  of  the  State  Constitutional  Convention,  and  took  an 
active  part  in  its  deliberations;  Avas  elected  county  judge  in  No- 
vember, 1857,  for  a term  of  four  years.  He  was  also  connected 
Avith  both  the  county  and  state  agricultural  societies,  and  one  of  the 
incorporators  and  directors  of  the  Springfield  and  South-eastern 
railroad,  and  discharged  the  duties  of  many  minor  offices.  Much 
credit  is  due  him,  Avhile  in  the  legislature,  for  the  location  of  the 
Terre  Haute  and  St.  Louis  R.  R.  through  the  southern  part  of  this 
county,  Avhere  have  sprung  into  existence  the  flourishing  towns  of 
Rana  and  Roscmond.  He  was  also  a prominent  Mason. 

Dr.  Calvin  Goudy  AA-as  a natiA'e  of  Ohio,  born  June  2d,  1814, 
emigrated  Avith  his  parents  to  Indiana  in  1826,  from  thence  to 
Illinois  in  1832,  locating  at  Yandalia.  He  graduated  at  the  St. 
Louis  Medical  College  in  the  spring  of  1844.  Soon  thereafter,  in 
ilay,  1844,  he  located  in  Taylorville,  Avhere  he  acquired  a lucrative 
j>ractice,  and  continued  to  reside  until  his  death.  (A  biographical 
sketch  may  be  seen  on  another  page.) 

Dr.  J.  II.  Clark,  a Kentuckian,  emigrated  and  settled  first  in 
John.son  township,  this  county,  in  the  spring  of  1844.  The  doctor 
Avas  a member  of  the  county  court  Avhen  the  present  court-house 
Avas  built. 

Joseph  Edwards,  a native  of  Ireland,  settled  on  Coal  creek  in 
this  county  March  26,  1845.  He  Avas  one  of  the  noted  eighteen 
voters  of  “Stone  Coal  Precinct.”  He  Avas  a man  known  for  his 
candor  and  integrity,  and  exercised  a commanding  influence  in 
tliat  section  of  tlie  county. 

Anotlicr  early  and  prominent  settler  in  “Stone  Coal,”  noAV  Pana, 
was  Wm.  Pryce,  born  in  England,  Eel).  28th,  1817;  came  to  this 
county  in  1845;  taught  the  first  .school  in  that  part  of  the  county, 
Avas  deputy  tax  collector  in  1845,  and  held  otlicr  offices  of  trust. 

.loseph  Edwards,  an  Irishman  l)y  birth,  .settled  in  Pana  township 
M areli  26lh,  1845.  His  house  Avas  a voting  ])Iacc  for  the  precinct 
for  a number  of  years.  He  was  a justice  of  the  peace  and  a gen- 
tleman higldy  respocted  for  his  moral  Avorth.  He  died  in  October, 
1855,  aged  sixty-ciglif  years. 

Elijah  Huneaii,  nativity  North  Carolina,  settled  in  this  county 
on  the  Avest  side  of  Hear  Creek  in  1847,  Avlicrc  he  died  Dee.  14tli, 
18(»I,  aged  al)out  sixty-four  years.  He  was  a man  firm  and  decided 
in  Ids  eonvietions  of  riglit.  He  liad  sixteen  ehildrcn,  some  of 
whom  are  still  residing  in  the  county. 

Wm.  ,\.  Welch,  a native  of  renne.ssee,  settled  on  South  Fork 
Dee.  25tli,  181!(.  'fho  late  Wm.  S Perry  settled  four  miles  south 
of  Taylorville  in  18411,  and  died  in  187  1 or  ’5.  He  was  one  of  the 


most  succe.ssful  deer-hunters  of  Avhom  Christian  county  can  boast, 
having  killed  over  four  hundred  during  the  twenty-five  years  of 
his  life  in  the  county. 

Jacob  Overholt,  largely  knoAvn  throughout  the  county,  a native 
of  Pennsylvania,  born  Dec.  9th,  1807,  came  to  this  county  in  1851. 

It  is  not,  perhaps,  possible  to  name  all  Avho  Avere  early  settlers  in 
the  county,  but  w'e  have  aimed  to  mention  all  the  earliest  and  most 
prominent  in  its  history  and  development.  IVIany  Avho  came  re- 
mained but  a short  time,  Avhen  they  Avent  back  to  their  old  homes, 
or  moved  away  to  a newer  country,  as  the  settlements  began  to  fill 
up.  Thus  the  settlers  may  naturally  be  grouped  into  two  classes, 
the  pioneers  and  the  permanent  settlers.  As  stated  in  the  begin- 
ning of  this  chapter,  the  pioneer  is  not  to  be  despised,  for  he  is  a 
man  Avith  a mission.  But  pressing  closely  on  his  footsteps,  came 
the  other  class,  scarcely  less  inured  to  hardships  and  fatigue,  or 
fitted  to  combat  the  dangers  and  difficulties  on  the  frontier,  but 
animated  by  different  hopes,  and  pursuing  a nobler  ambition. 
These  left  the  abodes  of  civilized  life,  not  from  love  of  adventure 
or  dislike  of  society;  they  came  Avhere  land  Avas  cheap  and  soil 
rich,  in  search  of  a permanent  home.  They  brought  Avith  them  a 
love  of  church,  and  an  appreciation  of  the  blessings  of  civilized 
life,  and  the  “ Avilderness  and  solitary  place  AA'ere  glad  for  them, 
and  the  desert  rejoiced  and  blossomed  as  the  rose.”  In  the  tOAvn- 
ship  histories  and  the  biographical  department  may  be  found  more 
fully  recorded  the  characters,  trials  and  struggles  of  the  earlier 
settlers.  The  chapter  on  the  “Civil  History”  treats  fully  of  the 
birth  of  the  county,  and  contains  all  records  pertaining  to  its  origin. 

PIONEER  MARRIAGES. 

The  folloAving  marriages  Avere  celebrated  Avithin  the  bounds  of 
the  territory  iioav  embraced  Avithin  the  county  of  Christian.  The 
first  one  recorded  in  the  county  clerk’s  office,  in  Springfield,  is  as 
folloAvs : 

On  the  13th  day  of  Sept,  1823,  I solemn- 
ized the  marriage  of  George  Dickson  and 
Fannie  Cooper. 

Ria’AS  Cormack,  INI  G.,  of  the  M.  E.  Church. 

Recorded  the  aboA'e  this  24th  day  of  Nov.,  1823. 

Charles  R.  Matiieney, 

Clei'k  of  Sangamon  county. 

These  parties  lived  on  the  North  Fork.  George  Dickson  after- 
Avards  Avas  favorably  knoAvn  to  many  of  the  citizens  of  the  county. 
He  Avas  a member  of  the  county  court  for  many  years ; and  Avas 
elected  to  other  offices  of  honor.  His  Avife  Avas  a sister  of  the  pio- 
neer, E})hraim  Cooper,  the  oldest  settler  in  the  north  part  of  the 
county,  in  1820.  It  shoAvs  that  they  Avere  married  and  giv'en  in 
marriage  in  those  primitive  times.  Another  Avas  in  the  Avords  fol- 
loAving:  “I  certify  that  on  the  21st  day  of  September,  I joined  in 
wedlock,  Eli  Matthews  and  Miss  Susanna  Hanon.” 

Wm.  Roberts,  ]\I.  G. 

This  Avas  the  first  pioneer  Avedding  in  South  Fork  toAvnship. 
The  parties  came  to  the  county  in  1818,  about  the  time  of  the  ad- 
vent of  Martin  Ilaifun,  the  first  settler  of  the  county.  Here  fol- 
loAV  four  others: — 

I\Iarric<l  Sept.  24th,  1824,  by  Job  Fletcher,  J.  P.,  Moses  Archer 
of  the  North  Fork,  to  Mira  Moflitt. 

July  15th,  1827,  by  John  Kirkpatrick,  M.  G.  Martin  of  North 
Fork  to  Patsey  Bagbey. 

Nov.  9lh,  1827,  Gabriel  McKenzie,  of  Flat  Branch  country,  to 
IMiss  Elizabeth  Gray.  Gabriel,  AAas  ahvays  held  in  the  liveliest 
remembrance  by  the  youngsters  for  his  violin  entertainments  on 
festive  occasions. 


State  of  Illinois,  ( 
Sangamon  county,  ^ 


HISTORY  OF  CHRISTIAN  COUNTY,  ILLINOIS. 


39 


Sept.  14th,  1828,  James  R.  Lucas,  to  Miss  Elizabeth  Harris, 
daughter  of  Esquire  Isaac  Harris,  who  lived  on  his  farm  four  miles 
east  of  Taylorville.  This  couple  were  amoug  the  first  families  to 
settle  ill  Taylorville,  after  its  location. 

The  following  were  among  the  pioneer  ministers  who  preached 
to  the  early  settlers  and  married  parties  at  the  dates  appended  to 
their  names : 

Gilbert  Dodd,  Sept.  2.5th,  1823,  Rev.  James  Simms,  Dec.  1 8th, 

1823,  John  M.  Berry,  July  17th,  1824,  Simon  Bindley,  Oct.  31st, 

1824,  Peter  Cartwright,  A jiril  26th,  1825,  John  Alkire,  July  16th, 
1826,  Hiram  Bowman,  May  6th,  1827,  Aaron  Vandeveer,  April 
15th,  1 30. 

After  the  organization  of  Christian  county  the  first  marriage 
license  was  issued  July  10th,  1839,  to  Josephus  Durbin  and  INIiss 
Elizabeth  Simpson,  a daughter  of  Esquire  Richard  Simpson,  of  Bear 
creek  township.  Thev  were  united  in  wedlock  by  Joseph  P.  Dur- 
bin, J.  P. 

The  third  license  was  issued  to  Edward  Bugg  and  Miss  Nancy 
Walker,  Sept,  18th,  1839,  who  were  married  by  the  Rev.  Peter  R. 
Ketcham. 

The  twenty-fifth  was  issued  to  Simon  Brents  and  Miss  Mary 
Blalock,  Nov.  19th,  1840,  by  Eli  Mathews,  J.  P.  This  was  the 
first  marriage  in  Taylorville. 

The  twenty  sixth  wedding  was  that  of  John  Gilbert  to  Miss 
Clarissa  Ann  Young,  daughter  of  Esquire  E.  S.  Young,  then  county 
clerk,  January  1st,  1841,  by  Aaron  Vandeveer,  M.  G.  This  was 
the  second  wedding,  and  the  bride,  the  first  death  in  Taylorville. 

VOTING. 

At  the  organization  of  the  county  the  people  voted  viva  voce. 
This  plan,  by  many,  was  considered  as  the  most  independent  one  ; 
others  viewed  it  in  a different  light.  If  the  system  had  no  other 
merit,  it  certainly  gave  a controlling  influence  to  intriguing  politi- 
cians. With  the  adoption  of  the  ballot  system,  their  jiower  was 
dwarfed.  In  this  county,  at  that  early  day,  there  were  two  large 
family  connections,  by  the  name  of  Durbin’s  and  Young’s.  They 
composed  a large  portion  of  the  voting  population.  It  was  not  an 
uncommon  remark  that  as  these  two  sections  voted  — so  went 
the  election.  Politically  they  were  in  sympathy  with  each  other 
and  with  the  “ Whig  ” party. 

Gavin  Ralston,  an  old  line  Whig,  and  a candidate  for  the  office 
of  county  commissioner,  being  interrogated  as  to  his  prospects  for 
an  election,  replied : “ Very  good,  as  both  the  Durbin  and  Young 
Aving  are  with  me  in  a solid  column.”  It  is  scarcely  necessary  to 
say  he  was  elected.  Daniel  Goode  and  William  C.  Brents,  both 
old  settlers  and  political  leaders,  exercised  great  influence  over  the 
])arties.  The  constitution  of  1848,  substituted  the  ballot  for  the 
viva  voce  system.  This  worked  well,  and  the  people  have  been 
enabled  to  vote  their  honest  convictions,  without  being  branded  as 
a “ turn-coat.”  The  old  parties  were  well  disciplined  and  very 
powerful.  If  a member  of  either  broke  ranks  he  was  soon  hounded 
down  ! 

COURT  ANECDOTES. 

In  the  trials  before  the  justices  of  the  peace  in  the  county, 
many  amusing  incidents  and  anecdotes  have  occurred. 

About  forty  years  ago,  in  the  region  of  Bolivar,  in  the  north- 
western part  of  this  county,  lived  one  John  S.  Thompson,  a justice 
of  the  peace.  He  was  a large,  stout,  big-fisted  Kentuckian.  Sam 
Smith  was  brought  before  him  on  a charge  of  assault  and  batterv. 
Sam  soon  became  boisterous,  and  began  to  abuse  the  justice.  Es- 
quire admonished  him  to  keep  quiet;  but  all  to  no  purjwse.  Sam 
grew  worse  and  worse  until  the  burly  Esquire’s  patience  was  ex- 


hausted. “Sam,”  said  the  Esquire,  “I  know  but  little  about  the 
power  the  law  confers  in  keeping  order  in  court,  but  I know  very 
Avell  the  power  the  Almighty  has  given  me,  and  so  shall  you.” 
Suiting  the  action  to  his  words,  the  Esquire  seized  a chair  and  sent 
Sara  whirling  to  the  floor,  and  then  at  the  end  of  his  boots,  relieved 
the  office  of  his  presence.  Smith  then  went  before  another  justice, 
filed  an  affidavit  of  assault  and  battery,  and  had  Esquire  Thompson 
arrested.  The  defense  set  up  a plea  that  the  justice  was  a relative 
to  the  prosecutor,  which  point  Avas  adjudged  Avell  taken,  and  the 
justice  entered  a judgment  of  acquittal.  Not  satisfied  Avith  the  de- 
cision, Smith  filed  another  affidavit  before  Esquire  C . 

Thompson  was  again  arrested  and  arraigned  before  the  justice.  He 
employed  counsel,  Avho  moved  for  his  acquittal  on  the  ground  that 
he  “ could  not  be  put  in  jeopardy  twice  for  the  same  offence,”  under 
the  constitution.  The  Esquire,  after  consulting  various  eA'idences, 
sustained  the  plea,  and  Esquire  Thompson  Avas  again  triumphantly 
acquitted.  From  that  time  forward  there  Avas  as  good  order  in  the 
office  of  Esquire  Thompson  as  in  the  supreme  court-room  of  the 
State  of  Illinois. 

In  another  case,  about  thirty-fi\^e  years  ago,  in  the  Avestern  part 
of  the  county,  a suit  Avas  instituted  before  Esquire  John  R * * 
against  John  W , then  residing  Avithin  three  miles  of  Hills- 

boro, in  Montgomery  county.  Summons  issued  to  constable  Wil- 
liam Torrance,  Avith  instructions  to  serve  the  same ; Avhich  he  ac- 
cordingly executed,  and  judgment  Avas  entered  up,  by  the  Esquire, 
for  forty  dollars  and  costs  of  suit.  The  execution  was  issued  in  due 
time  and  constable  Torrance,  Avho  again  entered  Montgomery 
county,  made  a levy,  took  a delivery  bond,  and  in  time  made  the 
debt,  and  returned  the  execution  satisfied  ; neither  party  knoAving 
the  force  of  the  county  lines  between  them. 

A Pathetic  Speech  Spoiled. — In  the  case  of  M , arraigned  for 

larceny,  his  laAvyer,  from  Springfield,  a bombastic  speaker,  in- 
formed his  client  that  the  case  Avas  desperate,  and  that  he  must  be 
governed  strictly  by  his  directions.  Said  he,  “ My  speech  Avill  be 
divided  into  four  parts:  first,  historical;  second  argumentatiA'e ; 
third,  the  reply ; fourth,  the  pathetic.  You  and  your  Avife  and 
children  must  sit  quiet  till  I come  to  the  fourth,  or  pathetic  part ; 
and  then  I want  you  all  to  burst  out  aloud  and  cry,  groan  and  take 
on  as  I proceed  to  the  close.  The  moment  I stop,  rise  and  throw 
your  arms  around  your  Avife’s  neck,  and  kiss  the  baby.”  The  trial 
Avas  opened  ; the  jury  emiAannelled  and  evidence  heard.  The  pro- 
secuting attorney  opened  the  case  Avith  a speech  of  great  poAver. 
LaAvyer  Bombast  rose  Avith  all  eyes  centered  on  him,  and  began  as 
folloAvs:  “If  the  court  please,  gentlemen  of  the  jury,  look  at  my 
client ; look  at  his  poor  wife  and  little  babe ; look  at  the  afflicted 
parents,  Aveighed  doAvn  Avith  sorroAV  and  grief,  sinking  as  it  Avere  to 
tlieir  graves!  Oh,  gentlemen  of  the  jury,  can  you  find  it  in  your 
hearts  to  send  him  to  the  Penitentiary?” 

As  he  uttered  these  last  Avords  the  prisoner  set  up  a loud  hoAvl, 
threAV  his  arms  around  his  Avife’s  neck,  and  kissed  the  babe,  AA'hile 
the  rest  of  the  family  joined  in  the  chorus.  The  laAvyer  Avas  dumb- 
founded ; the  court  looked  in  astonishment,  the  jurors  looked  at 
each  other  and  wondered  AA’hat  it  all  meant,  but  the  bombast  took 
in  the  situation  at  a glance,  and  exjdained  ; “Nothing,  only  a mis- 
take of  my  client,  your  honor  and  gentlemen  of  the  jury.  He  mis- 
took the  ‘ historical’  for  the  ‘pathetic’  part  of  my  speech.”  The 
blunderer  lost  his  case. 

A number  of  very  interesting  and  humorous  stories  are  told  of 
William  M.  Thomas,  J.  P. ; tAvo  or  three  of  which  Ave  will  relate. 
In  a tiial  before  him  a man  by  the  name  of  Gunn,  AA’as  a AA’itness. 
The  man  hesitated  not  a little  and  seemed  unwilling,  after  much 
persistent  questioning,  to  tell  what  he  really  knew  ; when  the 


40 


HISTORY  OF.  CHRISTIAN  COUNTY,  ILLINOIS. 


Esquire  became  impatient  and  said — “ Come,  Mr.  Gunn,  don’t  hang 
fire ! ” After  the  examination  closed  the  bystanders  were  convulsed 
with  laughter  by  the  old  Esquire  adding — “IMr.  Gunn,  you  can  go 
off,  you’re  discharged  ! ” 

The  Esquire  is  also  credited  with  the  following  decision: — “The 
fact  is,  Peter  Sndth,  the  jail  is  an  old  rickety  affair,  as  cold  as  an 
iron  wedge.  You  applied  to  this  court  for  release  on  bail,  giving  it 
as  your  opinion,  that  you  would  freeze  to  death  there.  It  is  the 
desire  of  this  court  to  be  humane;  and  as  the  weather  has  not 
moderated,  and  to  keep  you  from  freezing,  I will  direct  the  sheriff 
to  hang  you  at  4 o’clock  this  afternoon.” 

In  another  case  before  Thomas, — James  Funderburk  vs.  Sam 
Brents, — In  trial  of  Right  of  Property.  It  was  a jury  case,  com- 
posed of  old  Dicky  Simp.son  and  others,  Capt.  H , suggested 

to  the  plaintiff,  to  take  a jug  of  good  old  bourbon  and  treat  the 
court  and  jury.  Funderburk  acted  on  the  suggestion,  and  it  proved 
to  be  a happy  thought.  Tlie  court  drank  ; the  jury  drank,  and  all 
felt  good.  The  Esquire  gave  an  inkling  of  his  decision  in  advance. 

He  said,  “ There’s  no  use  going  into  trial  in  this  case,  for  the  Right 
of  Property  is  not  in  Sam  Brents,  and  he  is  subject  to  the  execution 
by  G — d,  sir.” 

The  jury  nodded  assent;  as  they  were  in  a nodding  mood.  The 
constable  retained  possession  of  the  property,  and  the  plaintiff, 
Funderburk,  got  his  money. 

Another  case  before  Esquire  Thompson,  in  which  Benjamin  | 
Williams  was  defendant.  The  trial  did  not  result  to  the  satisfaction 
of  said  defendant,  and  he  charged  that  the  Esquire  did  not  do  him 
justice.  Ilis  insulting  remarks  were  overheard  by  the  esquire,  and 
on  liis  coming  out  of  the  court-house,  he  gathered  hold  of  a hoop-  _ | 
pole,  exclaiming,  “ By  G — d sir.  I’ll  give  you  a more  substantial  I 
ju-stice!  ” and  lampooned  him  most  unmercifully. 

Lc  Roy  Hill,  of  Sangamon,  was  a defendant  in  a suit  instituted 
before  Tliomp.son.  He  asked  for  a change  of  venue,  giving  as  a 
reason  that  “ he  didn’t  like  to  be  tried  by  steam  ; ” over  which  the 
E.-quire  became  wrathy,  and  “ by  the  eternal,”  swore  a perfect  streak ! 
However  the  change  was  granted  and  the  case  taken  before  another 
justice. 

THE  “BUEL  BEX,’’  OK  BUGII.ISTIC  Tt.MES. 

No  sooner  had  the  county  seat  been  located  than  it  became  a 
rallying  point  for  all  the  belligerent  spirits  of  the  county.  Ben 

W and  William  AV had  a fight  a few  minutes 

after  the  “ locating  peg  ” had  been  driven  by  the  Commissioners. 
This  was  the  inauguration  of  affrays  which  continued  for  several 
years  at  the  county  seat,  greatly  to  its  discredit.  Persons  harboring 
ill-feelings  or  any  grievances  against  a neighbor,  woidd,  on  meet- 
ing him,  throw  out  a challenge  to  meet  oy  “muster  day,”  or  some 
other  j)ublic  occasion  and  settle  the  matter.  Time  did  not  seem  to 
abate  their  ho.stility;  the  hate  once  engendered,  still  rankled  in 
their  bosoms,  and  public  opinion  deferred  to  this  mode  of  settling 
old  grudges,  and  it  reipiired  no  little  moral  courage  to  withstand  it. 
The  combatants  at  the  ai)pointed  time,  would,  with  their  friends,  be 
on  hand;  draw  their  coats,  gird  their  loins  and  enter  the  “bull 
j)en,” — which  at  that  time  consisted  of  the  ])ublic  s(piare,  in  the 
al)s<mcc  of  a “ stray  ])cn.”  It  was  not  uncommon  for  a half-dozen 
such  cases  to  be  adjustetl  in  one  day.  On  such  occasions,  large 
crowds  often  a.ssend)led,  and  there  was  usually  on  hand  a bountiful 
supply  of  “ sod  corn.” 

('apt.  H , was  sure  to  be  present  with  his  two-wheeh'd  cart, 

conUiining  a cask  of  “ tangle-foot,’' and  his  stentorian  voice  could 
1)0  heard  far  and  near  to  repeat — “ ‘ ho  all  ye  thirsty  come  and  driid\.’ 

It  is  warranted  to  kecj)  you  cool  in  the  summer  and  warm  in  the 


winter.  Indians  say  there  are  “ fifty  fights  in  every  barrel  of  ‘ fire 
water.’  ” 

There  Avero  times  when  some  of  the  most  ])rominent  men  in  the 
county  w'ould  be  engaged  in  these  melees.  It  was  on  one  of  these 
memorable  occasions,  when  Gabriel  and  others  Avere  engaged,  that 

Thomas , county  collector,  supposing  himself  clothed  with 

the  necessary  authority,  mounted  the  court-house  steps  and  in  tones 
of  thunder  “ commanded  the  peace”  His  admonitions  not  being 
heeded,  he  threAV  off  his  coat,  Avaded  in,  exclaiming  that  he  Avould 

“ be  d d if  he  didn’t  have  peace ! ” and  made  for  Gabriel,  Avhen 

he  suddenly  “ right  about  faced  ” and  left  on  “ double  quick,”  Avith 
his  long  ringlets  streaming  in  the  air,  as  the  excited  crowd  and  the 
captain’s  commissary  closed  in  the  rear  ! These  sovereigns  Avould 
suffer  no  interference  on  these  Avarlike  occasions.  It  Avas  looked 
upon  as  coAvardly  to  use  knives  and  pistols,  and  it  Avas  very  seldom 
that  such  Avas  the  case. 

THE  MILITIA  SYSTEM. 

In  the  earlier  history  of  the  county  the  military  spirit  ran  high, 
and  many  aspirants  for  position  used  it  as  a “stepping-stone  ” to 
poAver.  Previous  to  the  formation  of  the  county,  the  people  had  to 
travel  fifteen  or  tAventy  miles  to  Rochester  to  do  military  duty. 
This  Avas  a great  inconvenience,  and  at  length  the  county  Avas  laid 
off  into  military  districts.  Elections  AA’ere  ordered  in  each  of  the 
company  districts  for  one  captain,  one  first  lieutenant  and  one  en- 
sign. Soon  after  the  organization  of  the  county,  the  folloAving 
order  Avas  issued: — 

‘‘  Militia  ix  Dane,  Notice. 

Lieut.  Col.  White’s  Regiment,  including  all  the  county  of  Dane,  Avill  parade 
for  Review  and  Inspection  at  Taylorville,  on  Friday,  June  27,  1839. 

By  order,  A.  G.  IIenra', 

Springfield,  III.  Brigade  Major.’’ 

By  this  order,  the  captains  Avere  required  to  be  in  the  field  Avith 
their  respective  commands,  “armed  and  equipped  as  the  hiAV  directs.” 
The  great  and  memorable  da)’^  came.  The  parade  ground  Avas 
early  filled  Avith  Avaving  plumes  and  croAvds  of  anxious  citizens. 
The  ground  Avhere  Taylorville  had  been  located  a month  pre- 
vious, Avas  dotted  over  Avith  Avhite  tents.  Soon  the  adjutant  on 
a splendid  grey  charger  came  galloping  into  the  field  Avith  orders  : 
“ Officers  to  your  places,  marshal  your  men  into  companies,  separa- 
ting the  barefooted  from  those  Avho  have  shoes.  Placing  thoso  Avho 
have  guns,  sticks  and  corn-stalks  in  separate  platoons,  and  then 
form  the  line  ready  to  rcceiA'e  your  superior  officers.”  Thomas  P. 
Bond  had  been  elected  colonel  of  the  regiment.  The  order  Avas 
executed  Col.  Bond  Avas  seen  coming  in  the  distance  accompanied 
by  the  old  Lieut.  Colonel,  Avith  his  aids.  The  lines  Avere  Avhecled 
into  a column  and  made  to  perform  some  fine  military  e\’olutions, 
and  Avere  eventually  brought  into  position  for  revieiv  by  the  colonel 
and  his  staff. 

The  grand  column  then  moved  Avith  the  colonel  at  its  head,  to  a 
fielil  half  a mile  Avest  of  town,  Avith  its  bayonets,  sticks  and  corn- 
stalks glittering  in  the  sunshine. 

After  exhibiting  a fine  military  dis|)lay,  they  AA’ere  formed  into 
line  of  battle,  under  the  command  of  the  gallant  colonel,  and  a 
sham  battle,  with  corn-stalks  Avas  fought,  Avith  great  fury,  much  to 
the  delight  of  the  by-standers. 

Him  Brents  Avas  placed  under  arms  by  his  commanding  officer 
for  disobedience  of  orders,  in  not  poising  his  corn-stalk  at  an  angle 
of  forty-five  degrees,  in  accordance  with  military  usage.  A guard 
Avas  i)laced  over  him,  Avho  Avas  compelled  to  hold  an  umbrella  over 
liis  head  to  protect  him  from  the  intolerable  heat  of  the  sun,  then 
DO’  F.  in  the  shade. 


IIISrOnY  OF  GIlIUSriAN  county,  iljanoih. 


41 


“ THE  DEEP  SNOW.” 

The  deep  snow  occurred  in  the  winter  of  1830-31.  At  tliat 
period  the  territory  now  embraced  in  Christian  county  was  sparsely 
settled.  The  roads  were  merely  trails  or  bye-paths;  and  the  houses 
of  the  settlers  were  log-cabins,  and  of  a rude  style  of  architecture, 
and  the  larder  was  not  well  supplied  with  sufficient  provisions  to 
carry  the  settler  and  his  family  through  the  winter.  This  being 
the  case,  much  suffering  occurred.  The  “ deep  snow  ” is  one  of  the 
land-marks  of  the  early  settler.  It  is  the  mile-stone,  so  to  speak, 
from  which  he  counts  in  dating  events.  He  sometimes  relies  upon 
it  in  recounting  the  date  of  his  coming,  his  marriage,  and  the  birth 
of  his  children.  The  deep  snow  was  an  important  and  very  extra- 
ordinary phenomenon.  Nothing  has  equalled  it  in  this  latitude  for 
the  last  century — if  the  Indians’  traditions  are  correct  as  to  what 
occurred  before  the  advent  of  the  white  man.  The  Indians  had  a 
tradition  that  about  seventy-five  years  before,  a snow  fell  which 
swept  away  the  immense  herds  of  buffalo  and  elk  that  then  roamed 
over  these  prairies.  This  tradition  was  verified  by  the  vast  quan- 
tity of  buffalo  and  elk  bones  found  on  the  prairies  in  different 
localities  when  first  visited  by  white  men. 

The  snow  began  falling  early  in  autumn,  and  continued  at  inter- 
vals, throughout  the  entire  winter.  The  snow  falls  would  be  sue-  ; 
ceeded  by  heavy  sleet,  forming  crusts  of  ice  between  the  layers  of 
snow,  strong  enough  in  many  places  to  bear  up  the  deer  and  hunter.  i 
Frequently  for  weeks  the  sun  was  not  visible,  and  the  cold  was  so  j 

intense  that  not  a particle  of  snow  would  melt  on  the  sides  of  the  ' 

cabins  facing  the  south.  For  weeks  people  were  blockaded  or  housed  j 
up,  and  remained  so  until  starvation  compelled  them  to  go  forth  in 
search  of  food.  Great  suffering,  hunger  and  untold  hardships  were  | 
endured  by  the  people.  Game,  such  as  deer,  prairie  chickens, 
quails,  rabbits,  &c.,  before  that  time  had  been  abundant,  but  for 
years  afterwards  was  very  scarce,  having  perished  in  the  snow.  As  j 
the  snow  would  thaw,  deer  were  often  caught  and  killed  without 
the  aid  of  fire  arms,  being  unable  to  get  through  the  snow  or  walk 
on  top.  Later  in  winter,  when  the  mass  of  snow  or  ice  had  become 
compact,  fences  that  were  staked  and  ridered  were  driven  over  with 
heavily  loaded  vehicles,  and,  in  fact  the  old  settlers  say  in  places 
could  not  be  seen.  The  snow  in  many  places,  where  not  drifted,  was 
three  to  five  feet  deep.  In  the  spring,  when  this  immense  amouLt 
of  snow  melted,  the  river  streams  and  marshes  became  flooded. 

THE  “ SUDDEN  FREEZE.” 

The  writer,  in  conversing  with  a lady,  an  old  settler,  elicited 
from  her  the  following  facts  and  recollectioin  relative  to  this  won-  | 
derful  and  extraordinary  atmospheric  phenomenon,  which  occurred 
a little  after  noon  one  day  in  January,  1836.  The  lady  says,  she  | 
and  her  family  had  finished  the  noon-day  meal,  and  were  sitting  | 
around  and  in  front  of  the  old-fashioned  large  open  fire-place, 
enjoying  its  generous  warmth,  chatting  and  discussing  the  state  of 
the  weather,  as  during  the  morning  it  had  been  snowing  and  raining 
a little; — presently  the  lady  in  looking  from  the  window  in  her 
cabin,  noticed  a heavy  black  cloud  lying  off’  to  the  west,  which 
seemed  to  be  rapidly  approaching.  Needing  some  water  she  took  a 
bucket  and  went  to  the  well,  at  a distance  of  about  a 100  yards, 
lowering  the  bucket  with  a long  “sweep”  then  used  in  drawing  the  ' 
water,  filled  it,  and  started  for  the  house.  Before  reaching  the 
house  the  wind  and  rain  struck  her;  blew  aud  upset  a portion  of 
the  water  on  her  clothing;  the  cold  air  seemed  to  cut  like  a knife, 
and  before  she  reached  the  house,  her  dress  and  apron  were  frozen  ! 
stiff  in  a solid  sheet  of  ice.  Ponds  which  a moment  before  were 
free  from  the  ice,  were  frozen  in  a solid  mass  in  a few  minutes.  ' 

Many  persons  were  frozen  to  death  who  happened  to  be  caught 

6 


away  from  home;  and  many  others,  before  they  could  get  to  a place 
of  shelter,  had  their  faces,  ear.s,  hands  and  feet  frozen.  Imme- 
diately preceding  the  storm  the  ground  had  been  slightly  covered 
with  snow,  which  from  rain  falling  in  the  morning  had  become 
“slushy.”  Cattle,  that  were  in  the  fields,  were  held  fast  by  the 
“slush  ” freezing  about  their  feet ; and  it  became  necessary  to  cut 
away  the  ice  to  liberate  them.  Ducks  and  geese  were  imprisoned  in 
the  same  way.  It  was  scarcely  ten  minutes  after  the  cold  wavs 
swept  over  the  place,  that  the  water  and  melting  snow  was  hard 
enough  to  bear  up  a man  on  horseback. 

Thus  have  Ave  briefly  sketched  a few  of  the  incidents  that  occur- 
red in  the  early  history  of  the  county. 


CHAPTER  IV. 

CUSTOMS  OF  EARLY  DJI’S”. 

HABITS  AND  MODES  OF  LIA  ING  OF  THE  PIONEERS  AND  FIRST  SETTLERS. 

T is  a trite  but  true  proverb  that  “Times  change,  and 
Ave  change  Avith  them  ;”  and  it  is  Avell  illustrated  by 
tbe  ebanges  in  dress,  condition  and  life,  that  haAm 
taken  place  in  this  county  in  less  than  half  a cen- 
tury. We  doubt  not  that  these  changes,  as  a Avhole, 
are  for  the  better. 

To  the  old  man,  indeed,  Avhose  life-Avork  is  accomplished,  and 
Avhose  thoughts  (hvcll  mainly  on  the  past,  Avhere  his  treasures  are, 
there  are  no  days  like  the  old  days,  and  no  song  aAvakens  so 
responsive  an  echo  in  his  heart  as  “ Auld  Lang  Syne.” 

The  very  skies  that  arch  above  his  gray  head  seem  less  blue 
to  his  dimmed  eye  than  they  did  Avhen,  in  the  adoration  of  his 
young  heart,  he  directed  to  them  his  gaze;  the  Avoods  appear  less 
green  and  inviting  than  Avhen  in  the  gaiety  of  boyhood  he  courted 
their  cool  deaths;  and  the  songs  of  their  feathered  inhabitants 
fall  less  melodiously  upon  his  ear.  He  marks  the  changes  that 
are  everyAvhere  visible,  aud  feels  like  crying  out  in  the  language 
of  the  poet : 

“ B.ickwarJ,  turn  backward,  oli.  Time,  in  thy  fliglit ! ” 

It  is  natural  for  the  aged  to  sigh  for  a return  of  the  past,  nor 
Avould  Ave  attempt  the  hopeless  task  of  convincing  them  that  Avith 
the  changes  of  the  years  there  have  come  also  an  incrca.se  in 
happiness,  an  improvement  in  social  life,  a progress  in  education, 
an  advancement  in  morality,  and  a tendency  upAvard  in  all  that 
relates  to  the  Avelfare  of  mankind. 

AVe  may  learn  useful  lessons,  hoAvever,  from  a study  of  that 
land  over  Avhich  the  pardonable  and  fond  imagination  of  the  old 
settler  has  throAvn  the  “light  that  never  AAras  on  sea  or  land,”  if, 
Avithdrawing  ourselves  from  the  dizzy  activities  of  the  present 
day,  Ave  let  the  old  settler  take  us  by  the  hand  and  lead  us  back 
into  the  regions  of  his  youth,  that  Ave  may  observe  the  life  of 
those  Avho  founded  a grand  empire  in  a great  Avilderness.  Let  us 
leave  the  j)row  of  the  rushing  ship,  from  Avhich  may  be  discerned 
a mighty  future  rich  in  promises  and  bright  Avith  hope,  and  take 
our  place  upon  the  stern  and  gaze  backward,  into  the  beautiful 
land  of  the  past. 

No  doubt  Ave  shall  be  led  to  regret  the  ab.sence  among  us  of 
some  of  the  virtues  of  dAvellers  in  those  early  days.  Gone  is  that 
free-hearted  hospitality  Avhich  made  of  every  settler’s  cabin  an  inn 
Avhere  the  belated  and  Aveary  traveler  found  entertainment  Avith- 
out  money  and  Avithout  price.  Gone  is  that  community  of  senti- 
ment Avhich  made  neighbors  indeed  neighbors  ; that  era  of  kind- 
ly feeling  Avhich  Avas  marked  by  the  almost  entire  absence  of  liti- 
gation. 


42 


HISTORY  OF  CHRISTIAN  COUNTY,  ILLINOIS. 


Gone,  too,  some  say,  is  that  simple,  strong,  upright,  honest 
integrity  which  was  so  marked  a characteristic  of  the  pioneer. 

So  rapid  has  been  the  improvement  in  machinery,  and  the 
progress  in  the  arts  and  their  application  to  the  needs  of  man, 
that  a study  of  the  manner  in  which  people  lived  and  worked 
only  fifty  years  ago  seems  like  the  study  of  a remote  age. 

It  is  important  to  remember  that  while  a majority  of  settlers 
•were  poor,  that  poverty  carried  with  it  no  crushing  sense  of  de- 
gradation like  that  felt  by  the  very  poor  of  our  age.  They  lived 
in  a cabin,  it  is  true,  but  it  was  tlieir  own,  and  had  been  reared 
by  their  hands.  Their  house,  too,  while  inconvenient  and  far 
from  water-jiroof,  was  built  in  the  prevailing  style  of  architecture, 
and  would  compare  favorably  with  the  homes  of  their  neighbors. 

They  were  destitute  of  many  of  the  conveniences  of  life,  and  of 
some  things  that  are  now'  considered  necessaries;  but  they 
patiently  endured  their  lot  and  hopefully  looked  forward  to  bet- 
ter. They  had  plenty  to  wear  as  protection  against  the  weather, 
and  an  abundance  of  wholesome  food.  They  sat  dow'n  to  a rude 
table  to  eat  from  tin  or  pewter  dishes;  but  the  meat  thereon 
spread — the  flesh  of  the  deer  or  bear,  of  the  wild  duck  or  turkey, 
of  the  fpiail  or  squirrel — was  superior  to  that  we  eat,  and  had 
been  won  by  the  skill  of  the  head  of  the  house  or  of  his 
vigorous  sons  The  bread  they  ate  was  made  from  corn  or  wheat 
of  their  own  raising.  They  walked  the  green  carpet  of  the  grand 
])rairie  or  fore.st  that  surrounded  them,  not  with  the  air  of  a beg- 
gar, but  with  the  elastic  step  of  a self-respected  freeman.* 

The  settler  brought  with  him  the  keen  axe,  which  was  indis- 
pensable, and  the  equally  necessary  rifle;  the  first  his  weapon  of 
offence  against  the  forests  that  skirted  the  water  courses,  and 
near  which  he  made  his  home;  the  second  that  of  defence  from 
the  attacks  of  his  foe,  the  cunning  child  of  the  forest  and  prairie. 
Ilis  first  labor  was  to  fell  trees  and  erect  his  unpretentious  cabin, 
which  was  rudely  made  of  logs,  and  in  the  raising  of  wliich  he 
had  ihe  cheerful  aid  of  his  neighbors.  It  was  usually  from  four- 
teen to  sixteen  feet  S(]uare,  and  never  larger  than  twenty  feet, 
and  was  frequently  built  entirely  without  glass,  nails,  hinges  or 
locks. 

The  manner  of  building  was  as  follow's:  First,  large  logs  were 
laid  in  position  as  sills;  on  these  w'ere  placed  strong  sleepers,  and 
on  the  sleepers  were  laid  the  rough  hewed  puncheons,  which  were 
to  serve  as  floors.  The  logs  were  then  built  up  till  the  ])ropcr 
height  for  the  eaves  was  reached;  then  on  the  ends  of  the  build- 
ing were  j)laccd  j)oles,  longer  than  the  other  end  logs,  which 
jnojccted  some  eighteen  or  more  inches  over  the  sides,  and  were 
called  “1)11  ting-pole  .sleepers;”  on  the  projecting  ends  of  these  was 
jilaced  the  “ butting-pole,”  which  served  to  give  the  line  to  the 
first  row  of  clap  boards.  These  were,  as  a matter  of  course,  split, 
and  as  the  gables  of  the  cabin  were  built  up,  were  so  laid  on  as 
to  lap  a third  of  their  length.  They  were  often  kept  in  place  by 
the  weight  of  a heavy  pole,  which  was  laid  across  the  roof  paral- 
lel to  the  ridge-pole.  The  house  was  then  chinked,  and  daubed 
with  a coarse  mortar. 

A huge  fire  place  was  built  in  at  one  end  of  the  house,  in 
which  fire  was  kindled  for  cooking  purposes,  for  the  settlers  gen- 
erally were  without  stoves,  and  which  furnished  the  needed 
warmth  in  winter.  The  ceiling  above  was  sometimes  covered 
with  the  ])clts  of  the  raccoon,  opo.ssuin,  and  of  the  wolf,  to  add  to 

•Tlie  wlii.lp  country,  now  doltfil  with  sniilinK  f.irms  nml  tmppy  vIIIuko-*,  Irnvorsod 
liy  milroivl  - find  li-lpirmph  wir>’«,  »!is  a m ildcrcicHH,  cliiplly  of  prnirip, 

whinli  atri  t 'liPil  iiwny  in  Idllowy  vuntiip--  liko  a poiiifi-alpd  ocean.  Along  llio  waler- 
coiirpcB  was  a fringe  of  tiinUor,  ami  ncra‘<ionally  wan  to  lie  goon  a grove.  Tlip  iimni- 
grantg  camejiomoin  cnit«,  the  ctiildren  packed  like  surdineg  in  a box;  gome  in 
wagoDg,  and  tome  on  horseback  witli  pack-iiorses. 


the  warmth  of  the  dwelling.  Sometimes  the  soft  inner  bark  of 
the  bass  wood  was  used  for  the  same  purpose.  The  cabin  was 
lighted  by  means  of  greased  paper-windows.  A log  would  be 
left  out  along  one  side,  and  sheets  of  strong  j)aper,  well  greased 
i with  coon-grease  or  bear  oil,  would  be  carefully  tacked  in. 

The  above  description  only  applies  to  the  very  earliest  times, 
i before  the  rattle  of  the  saw  mill  was  heard  within  our  borders, 
i The  furniture  comported  admirably  with  the  house  itself,  and 
hence,  if  not  elegant,  was  in  most  perfect  taste.  The  tables  had 
four  legs,  and  were  rudely  made  from  a puncheon.  Their  seats 
Avere  stools  having  three  or  four  legs.  The  bedstead  Avas  in 
keeping  Avith  the  rest,  and  Avas  often  so  contrived  as  to  permit  it 
1 to  be  drawn  up  and  fastened  to  the  Avail  during  the  day,  thus 
affording  more  room  to  the  family.  The  entire  furniture  was 
simple,  and  Avas  framed  Avith  no  other  tool  than  the  axe  and  au- 
ger. Each  Avas  his  own  carpenter;  and  some  displayed  consid- 
, erable  ingenuity  in  the  construction  of  implements  of  agriculture, 

* and  utensils,  and  furniture  for  the  kitchen  and  house.  Knives 
and  forks  they  sometimes  had,  and  sometimes  had  not.  The 
common  table-knife  Avas  the  pack-knife  or  butcher-knife.* 
Horse  collars  were  sometimes  made  of  the  plaited  husk  of  the 
maize  sewed  together.  They  Avere  easy  on  the  neck  of  the  horse, 

' and  if  tug-traces  Avere  used,  Avould  last  a long  Avhile.  Horses 
I Avere  not  used  very  much,  hoAvever,  and  oxen  Avere  almost  exclu- 
j sively  used.  In  some  instances  carts  and  Avagons  Avere  con- 
structed or  repaired  by  the  self-reliant  settler  ; and  the  Avoful 
! creaking  of  the  untarred  axles  could  be  heard  at  a great  dis- 
I ance. 

The  Avomen  corresponded  Avell  Avith  the  description  of  the 
i virtuous  woman  in  the  last  chapter  of  Proverbs,  for  they  “ sought 
Avool  and  flax,  and  Avorked  Avilliiigly  Avith  their  hands.”  They 
! did  not,  it  is  true,  make  for  themselves  “coverings  of  tapestry,” 
nor  could  it  be  said  of  them  that  their  “ clothing  was  silk  and 
purple;”  but  they  “rose  Avhile  it  Avas  yet  night,  and  gave  meat 
unto  their  household,”  and  they  “•  girded  their  loins  Avith  strength 
and  strengthened  their  arm.5.”  They  looked  aa'cII  to  the  Avays  of 
their  household  and  ate  not  the  bread  of  idleness.  They  laid 
, “their  hands  to  the  spindle  and  to  the  distaff,”  and  “strength 
I and  honor  Avere  in  their  clothing.” 

I In  these  days  of  furbedoAvs  and  flounces,  Avhen  from  tAventy  to 
thirty  yards  are  required  by  one  fair  damsel  for  a dress,  it  is  re- 
freshing to  knoAV  that  the  ladies  of  that  ancient  time  considered 
eight  yards  an  extravagant  amount  to  put  into  one  dress.  The 
dress  Avas  usually  made  plain  Avith  four  Avidths  in  the  skirt,  the 
I tAVO  front  ones  cut  gored.  The  Avaist  Avas  made  very  short,  and 
j across  the  shoulders  behind  Avas  a draAV-string.  The  sleeves  Avere 
1 enormously  large,  and  tapered  from  shoulder  to  Avrist,  and  the 

i most  fashionable — for  fashion,  like  love,  rules  alike  the  “court 

' and  grove” — Avere  jiadded  .so  as  to  resemble  a bolster  at  the 

upper  ])art  and  Avere  knoAvn  as  “ mutton  legs,”  or  “sheep  shank 
! slccA'CS.  ’ The  .sleeve  Avas  kept  in  shape  often  by  a heavily 
I starched  lining.  Those  Avho  could  afl’ord  it  used  feathers,  Avhich 
j gave  the  sleeve  the  a])pcarancc  of  an  inflated  balloon  from  elboAV 
I uj),  and  Avere  known  as  “ pilloAV-slcevcs.” 

j j\Iany  boAvs  and  some  ribbons  AA'cre  Avorn,  but  scarcely  any 
I jcAVclry.  The  toAV  dress  Avas  superseded  by  the  cotton  gOAvn. 

' Around  the  neck,  instead  of  a lace  collar  or  elegant  ribbon,  there 
Avas  dispo.^cd  a copperas  colored  neck-kerchief 

In  going  to  church  or  other  public  gathering  in  summer 

• AVooJen  vcsspIs,  eittier  duR  out  or  coopered,  nnd  called  “noggins,”  were  in  com- 
mon use  for  bowls,  out  of  wtiieh  encli  member  of  the  family  ate  musli  and  milk  for 
supper.  A gourd  formed  the  drinking  cup. 


HISTORY  OF  CHRISTIAN  COUNTY,  ILLINOIS. 


43 


1 

weather,  they  sometimes  walked  barefoot  till  near  their  destina- 
tion, when  they  would  put  on  their  shoes  or  moccasins.  They 
were  contented  and  even  happy  without  any  of  the  elegant 
articles  of  dress.  Ruffles,  fine  laces,  silk  hats,  kid  gloves,  false 
curls,  rings,  combs  and  jewels,  were  nearly  unknown,  nor  did  the 
lack  of  them  vex  their  souls.  Many  of  them  were  grown  before 
they  ever  saw  the  interior  of  a well-supplied  dry-goods  store. 
They  were  reared  in  simplicity,  lived  in  simplicity,  and  were 
happy  in  simplicity. 

It  may  be  interesting  to  speak  more  specifically  regarding 
cookery  and  diet.  Wild  meat  was  plentiful.  The  settlers  gen- 
erally brought  some  food  with  them  to  last  till  a crop  could  be 
raised.  Small  patches  of  Indian  corn  were  raised,  which,  in  the 
earliest  days  of  the  settlements,  was  beaten  in  a mortar.  The 
meal  was  made  into  a coarse  but  wholesome  bread,  on  which  the 
teeth  could  not  be  very  tightly  shut  on  account  of  the  grit  it 
contained.  Johnny-cake  and  pones  were  served  up  at  dinner, 
while  mush  and  milk  was  the  favorite  dish  for  supper.  In  the 
fire-place  hung  the  crane,  and  the  dutch-oven  was  used  in  baking. 
The  streams  abounded  in  fish,  which  formed  a healthful  article 
of  food.  Many  kinds  of  greens,  such  as  dock  and  polk,  were 
eaten.  The  “truck-patch furnished  roasting  ears,  pumpkins, 
beans,  squashes  and  potatoes,  and  these  were  used  by  all.  For 
reaping-bees,  log-rollings,  and  house-raisings,  the  standard  dish 
was  pot-pie.  Coffee  and  tea  were  used  sparingly,  as  they  were 
very  dear,  and  the  hardy  pioneer  thought  them  a drink  fit  only 
for  women  and  children.  They  said  it  would  not  “stick  to  the 
ribs.”  Maple-sugar  was  much  used,  and  honey  was  only  five 
cents  a pound.  Butter  was  the  same  price,  while  eggs  were  three 
cents.  The  utmost  good  feeling  prevailed.  If  one  killed  hogs 
all  shared.  Chickens  were  to  be  seen  in  great  numbers  around 
every  doorway ; and  the  gabble  of  the  turkey  and  the  quack  of 
the  duck  were  heard  in  the  laud.  Nature  contributed  of  her 
fruits.  Wild  grapes  and  plums  were  to  be  found  in  their  sea- 
son, along  the  streams. 

The  women  manufactured  nearly  all  the  clothing  worn  by  the 
family.  In  cool  weather  gowns  made  of  “linsey-woolsey  ’ were 
worn  by  the  ladies.  The  chain  was  of  cotton  and  the  filling  of 
wool.  The  fabric  was  usually  plaid  or  striped,  and  the  differing 
colors  were  blended  according  to  the  taste  and  fancy  of  the  fair 
maker.  Colors  were  blue,  copperas,  turkey-red,  light  blue,  etc. 
Every  house  contained  a card-loom  and  spinning-wheels,  which 
were  considered  by  the  women  as  necessary  for  them  as  the  rifle 
for  the  men.  Several  different  kinds  of  cloth  were  made  Cloth 
was  woven  from  cotton.  The  rolls  were  bought  and  spun,  on  little 
and  big  wheels,  into  two  kinds  of  thread;  one  the  “chain,”  the 
other  the  “filling.”  The  more  experienced  only  spun  the  chain  ; 
the  younger  the  filling.  Two  kinds  of  loom  were  in  use.  The 
most  primitive  in  construction  was  called  the  “side-loom.”  The 
frame  of  it  consisted  of  two  pieces  of  scantling  running  obliquely 
from  the  floor  to  the  wall.  Latep,  the  frame-loom,  which  was  a 
great  improvement  over  the  other,  came  into  use. 

The  men  and  boys  wore  “jeans ’’ and  linsey-woolsey  hunting 
shirts.  The  “jeans  ” were  colored  either  light-blue  or  butternut. 

Many  times  when  the  men  gathered  to  a log-rolling  or  barn- 
raising, the  women  would  assemble,  bringing  their  spinning- 
wheels  with  them.  In  this  way  sometimes  as  many  as  ten  or 
twelve  would  gather  in  one  room,  and  the  pleasant  voices  of  the 
fair  spinners  were  mingled  with  the  low  hum  of  the  spinning- 
wheels.  “ Oh  ! golden  early  days ! ” 

Such  articles  of  apparel  as  could  not  be  manufactured  were 
brought  to  them  from  the  nearest  store  by  the  mail  carrier. 


These  were  few,  however.  The  men  and  boys,  in  many  instances, 
w’ore  pantaloons  made  of  the  dressed  skin  of  the  deer,  which  then 
swarmed  the  prairies  in  large  herds.  The  young  man  who 
desired  to  look  captivating  to  the  eye  of  the  maiden  whom  he 
loved,  had  his  “ bucks”  fringed,  which  lent  them  a not  unplea.sing 
effect.  IMeal-sacks  were  also  made  of  buckskin.  Caps  w’ere 
made  of  the  skins  of  the  wolf,  fox,  wild-cat  and  musk-rat,  tanned 
with  the  fur  on.  The  tail  of  the  fox  or  wolf  often  hung  down  the 
top  of  the  cap,  lending  the  w'earer  a jaunty  air.  Both  sexes  w’ore 
moccasins,  w'hich  in  dry  weather  were  an  excellent  substitute  for 
shoes.  There  were  no  shoemakers,  and  each  family  made  its  own 
shoes. 

The  settlers  were  separated  from  their  neighbors  often  by 
miles.  There  were  no  church-houses  or  regular  services  of  any 
kind  to  call  them  together  ; hence,  no  doubt,  the  cheerfulness  with 
which  they  accepted  invitations  to  a house-raising,  or  a log-roll- 
ing, or  a corn-husking,  or  a bee  of  any  kind.  To  attend  these 
gatherings  they  would  go  ten  and  sometimes  more  miles. 

Generally  with  the  invitation  to  the  men  went  one  to  the  wo- 
men, to  come  to  a quilting.  The  good  woman  of  the  house  where 
the  festivities  were  to  take  place  would  be  busily  engaged  for  a 
day  or  more  in  preparation  for  the  coming  guests.  Great  quanti- 
ties of  provisions  were  to  be  prepared,  for  dyspepsia  was  unknown 
to  the  pioneer,  and  good  appetites  were  the  rule  and  not  the  ex- 
ception. 

“The  bread  used  at  these  frolics  was  baked  generally  on 
Johnny  or  Journey  cake  boards,  and  is  the  best  corn-bread  ever 
made.  A board  is  made  smooth,  about  two  feet  long  and  eight 
inches  wide — the  ends  are  generally  rounded.  The  dough  is 
spread  out  on  this  board,  and  jilaced  leaning  before  the  fire. 
One  side  is  baked,  and  then  the  dough  is  changed  on  the  board, 
so  the  other  side  is  presented,  in  its  turn,  to  the  fire.  This  is 
Johnny-cakc,  and  is  good  if  the  proper  materials  are  put  in  the 
dough,  and  it  is  properly  baked.” — Reynolds’  History. 

At  all  log-rollings  and  house-raisings  it  was  customary  to  pro- 
vide liquor.  Excesses  were  not  indulged  in,  however.  The 
fiddler  was  never  forgotten.  After  the  day’s  work  had  been 
accomplished,  out  doors  and  in,  by  men  and  women,  the  floor 
was  cleared  and  the  merry  dance  began.  The  handsome,  stal- 
wart young  men,  whose  fine  forms  were  the  result  of  their  manly 
out-door  life,  clad  in  fringed  buckskin  breeches  and  gaudily 
colored  hunting-shirts,  led  Ibrtli  the  bright-eyed,  buxom  damsels, 
attired  in  neatly-fitting  linsey-woolsey  garments,  to  the  dance, 
their  cheeks  glowing  with  health  and  eyes  speaking  of  enjoy- 
ment, and  perhaps  of  a tenderer  emotion. 

The  following  description  of  a “Shucking”  of  the  olden  time 
is  taken  from  Reynolds'  Pioneer-History  of  Illinois: 

“In  pure  pioneer  times  the  crops  of  corn  were  never  husked 
on  the  stalk,  as  is  done  at  this  day,  but  Avere  hauled  home  in  the 
hu.sk  and  thrown  in  a heap,  generally  by  the  side  of  the  crib,  so 
that  the  ears,  when  husked,  could  be  thrown  direct  into  the  crib. 
The  whole  neighborhood,  male  and  female,  were  invited  to  the 
shmkinrj,  as  it  Avas  called.  The  girls,  and  many  of  the  married 
ladies,  generally  engaged  in  this  amusing  Avork. 

“In  the  first  place  two  leading  expert  huskers  AA'ere  chosen  as 
captains,  and  the  heap  of  corn  divided  as  nearly  equal  as  possi- 
ble. Rails  were  laid  across  the  pile  so  as  to  designate  the  divi- 
sion ; and  then  each  captain  chose,  alternately,  his  corps  of 
huskers,  male  and  female.  The  Avhole  number  of  Avorking  hands 
present  were  selected,  on  one  side  or  the  other,  and  then  each  party 
commenced  a contest  to  boat  the  other,  Avhich  Avas  in  many  cases 
truly  exciting.  One  other  rule  Avas,  that  Avhenever  a male  husked  a 


44 


HISTORY  OF  CHRISTIAN  COUNTY,  ILLINOIS. 


red  ear  of  corn,  he  was  entitled  to  a kiss  from  the  girls  This 
frequently  excited  much  fuss  and  scuftling,  which  was  intended 
hy  both  parties  to  end  in  a kiss.  It  was  a universal  practice 
that  taffia  or  IMonongahela  whisky  was  used  at  these  husking 
frolics,  which  they  drank  out  of  a bottle,  each  one,  male  and  fe- 
male, taking  the  bottle  and  drinking  out  of  it,  and  then  handing 
it  to  his  next  neighbor,  without  using  any  glass  or  cup  whatever. 
This  custom  was  common,  and  not  considered  rude.  Almost  al- 
Avays  these  corn-shucks  ended  in  a dance.  To  prepare  for  this 
amusement  fiddles  and  fiddlers  Avere  in  great  demand ; and  it 
often  required  much  fast  riding  to  obtain  them.  One  violin  and 
a performer  Avere  all  that  Avas  contemplated  at  these  innocent 
rural  games. 

“ Towards  dark,  and  the  supper  half-over,  then  it  Avas  that  a 
bustle  and  confusion  commenced.  The  confusion  of  tongues  at 
Babel  Avould  have  been  ashamed  at  the  corn-shuckings.  The 
voung  ones  liurrA’ing  off  the  table,  and  the  old  ones  contending 
for  time  and  order.  It  Avas  the  case  nine  times  out  of  ten,  that 
but  one  dwelling-house  Avas  on  the  premises,  and  that  used  for  eat- 
ing as  Avell  as  dancing. 

“ButAvhenthe  fiddler  commenced  tuning  his  instrument  the 
music  ahvays  gained  the  victory  for  the  young  side.  Then  the 
dishes,  victuals,  table  and  all,  disappeared  in  a few  minutes,  and 
the  room  Avas  cleared,  the  dogs  drove  out,  and  tlie  floor  swept  off 
ready  for  action.  The  floors  of  these  houses  were  sometimes  the 
natural  earth,  beat  solid,  sometimes  the  earth  Avith  puncheons  in 
the  middle  over  the  potato-hole,  and  at  times  the  Avhole  floor  Avas 
made  of  puncheons. 

“ The  music  at  these  country  dances  made  the  young  folks 
almost  frantic,  and  sometimes  much  excitement  Avas  displayed  to 
get  on  the  floor  first.  Generally  the  fiddler  on  these  occasions 
assumed  an  important  bearing,  and  ordered,  in  true  jirofcssional 
style,  so  and  so  to  be  done;  as  that  Avas  the  Avay  in  North  Caro- 
lina, Avhere  he  Avas  raised.  The  decision  ended  the  contest  for  the 
floor.  In  those  days  they  danced  jigs  and  four-handed  reels,  as 
they  Avere  called.  Sometimes  three-handed  reels  Avere  also 
danced. 

“In  these  dances  there  Avas  no  standing  still ; all  Avere  mov- 
ing at  a rapid  pace  from  the  beginning  to  the  end.  In  the  jigs 
the  bystanders  cut  one  another  out,  as  it  Avas  called,  so  that  this 
dance  Avould  last  for  hours.  Sometimes  the  parties  in  a jig 
tried  to  tire  one  another  doAvn  in  the  dance,  and  then  it  Avould 
ahso  last  a long  time  liefore  one  or  the  other  gave  up. 

“ The  cotillion  or  stiuid-stUl  dances  Avere  not  then  knoAvn. 

“Tlic  bottle  Avent  round  at  these  parties  as  it  did  at  the  shuck- 
ings,  and  male  and  female  took  a dram  out  of  it  as  it  jia.^scd 
around.  No  sitting  Avas  indulged  in,  and  the  folks  either  stood 
or  danced  all  night,  as  generally  day-light  ended  the  frolic. 
The  dre.«s  of  the.se  hardy  pioneers  Avas  generally  in  plain  home- 
spun.  The  hunting-shirt  Avas  much  Avorn  at  that  time,  AA'hich  is 
a couA’cnient  Avorking  or  dancing  dress.  Sometimes  dres.scd 
deer-skin  ])antaloons  Avere  used  on  the.se  occasion.®,  and  imiAAkaAv- 
sins — rarely  shoes — and  at  times  bare  feet  Averc  indulged  in. 

“In  the  morning  all  go  hotiie  on  horseback  or  on  foot.  No 
carriages,  Avagon.s  or  other  vehicles  Avere  used  on  the.se  occasions, 
for  the  best  of  rca.sons — because  they  had  none.’’ 

Dancing  Avas  a favorite  ammsement,  and  aaiis  j)articij)atcd  in 
by  all. 

“,\lik(!  all  aKOs;  <laneers  of  aiicieiil  <l:iA’», 

Have  li  d tlicir  cliililrrn  (liniiij,di  lliv  inirllifiil  maze. 

And  the  Sf-'.'’  grand.sire,  skillfd  in  >;eslic  lore, 

Ila.s  fi  iski-d  benialli  tlio  Inirden  of  llireu-«c  irc.” 


The  amusements  of  that  day  Avere  more  athletic  and  rude  than 
those  of  to-day.  Among  settlers  in  a neAV  country,  from  the  na- 
ture of  the  case,  a higher  value  is  set  upon  physical  than  mental 
cndoAvments.  Skill  in  Avood-craft,  superiority  of  mu.scular  devel- 
opment, accuracy  in  shooting  Avith  the  rifle,  activity,  SAviftness  of 
foot,  Avere  the  qualifications  that  brought  their  possessors  fame. 
Foot-racing  Avas  often  practiced,  and  often  the  boys  and  young 
men  engaged  in  friendly  contests  Avith  the  Indians.  Every  man 
had  a rifle,  alAA'ays  kej)t  in  good  order;  his  flints,  bullet-moulds, 
scrcAv  driver,  aAvl,  butcher-knife  and  tomahaAvk  Avere  fastened  to 
the  shot-pouch  strap  or  to  the  belt  around  the  Avaist.  Target-shoot- 
ing Avas  much  practiced,"  and  shots  Avere  made  by  the  hunters  and 
settlers,  Avith  flint-lock  rifles,  that  cannot  be  excelled  by  their 
descendants  Avith  the  improved  breech-loaders  of  the  present  day. 

At  all  gatherings  junqfing  and  Avrestling  Avere  indulged  in,  and 
those  AA’ho  excelled  Avere  thenceforAvard  men  of  notoriety.  Cards, 
dice,  and  other  gambling  implements  Avere  unknoAvn.  Dancing 
Avas  a favorite  amusement.  It  Avas  jiarticipated  in  by  all. 

At  the  shooting-matches,  AAdiich  Avere  usually  for  the  prize  of  a 
turkey,  or  a gallon  of  Avhisky,  good  feeling  generally  prevailed. 
If  disputes  arose,  they  Avere  settled  often  by  a square  stand-up 
fight,  and  no  one  thought  of  using  other  Aveapons  than  fists.  They 
held  no  grudges  after  their  fights,  for  this  Avas  considered  un- 
manly. It  AA'as  the  rule  that,  if  a fight  occurred  betAveen  tAvo  per- 
sons, the  A'ictor  should  j)our  Avater  for  the  defeated  as  he  Avashed 
aAvay  the  traces  of  the  fray,  after  Avhich  the  latter  Avas  to  per- 
form the  same  service  for  the  former. 

To  illustrate  the  ready  ingenuity  of  the  early  settlers,  deA^el- 
oped  by  their  poA'erty,  and  remoteness  from  places  Avhere  neces- 
saries could  be  purchased,  Ave  borroAV  an  anecdote,  from  “Ford’s 
History  of  Illinois,”  related  of  James  Lemon,  a Avell-knoAvn  pio- 
neer of  Monroe  county,  and  an  old-style  Baj)tist  preacher.  A 
farmer  by  occupation,  “He  manufactured  harness  as  they  Avere 
required.  Being  one  day  employed  in  ploAving  a piece  of  stubble 
ground,  on  turning  out  for  dinner,  as  Avas  hisAvont,  he  left  the 
harness  on  the  beam  of  the  ploAV.  His  son,  not  differing  from  the 
proverbial  minister’s  boy,  perhap.s,  Avho  had  assisted  him  by  remov- 
ing the  clogging  straAV  from  the  ploAV  Avith  a pitchfork,  remained 
behind  long  enough  to  conceal  one  of  the  collars,  that  he  might 
have  a playing  spell  aaIiIIc  his  father  Avas  occupied  in  making 
another.  But  his  plot  failed;  on  returning  after  dinner  and 
missing  the  collar,  his  father  reflecting  a fcAV  minutes  promptly 
divested  himself  of  his  leather  breeches,  stuffed  the  legs  Avith 
stubble,  straddled  them  across  the  neck  of  the  horse  for  a collar, 
and  ploAved  the  remainder  of  the  day  barc-lcgged,  requiring  the 
assistance  of  his  truantly  inclined  boy  all  of  the  time.”  At  this 
day,  to  provide  for  such  a mishap,  half  a day  Avould  have  been 
spent  in  going  to  toAvn  after  another  collar,  and  the  boy  Avould 
probably  ha\’c  gained  his  point. 

Pioneer  Mills. — Among  the  first  Avere  the  “band  mills.”  A 
description  of  one  Avill  not  ju’ove  uninteresting.  The  })lan  Avas 
chcaj).  The  horse-poAver  consisted  of  a large  upright  shaft,  some 
ten  or  tAveU’e  feet  in  height,  Avith  some  eight  or  ten  long  arms 
let  into  the  main  shaft  and  extending  out  from  it  fifteen  feet. 
Auger  holes  Avere  bored  into  the  arms  on  the  upi)er  side  at  the  end, 
into  Avhich  Avooden  ])ins  Avere  driven.  This  Avas  called  the  “big 
AA'hcel,”  and  Avas,  as  has  been  seen,  about  tAventy  fi'et  in  diameter. 
The  raAv  hide  belt  or  tug  Avas  made  of  skins  taken  off  beef 
cattle,  AAhich  Avere  cut  into  strips  three  inches  in  Avidth;  these 
Avere  tAA’i.ffed  into  a round  cord  or  tug,  Avhich  Avas  long  enough  to 
encii’cle  the  circumlcreiKic  of  tlie  big  Avheel.  There  it  Avas  held 
in  place  by  the  Avooden  pins,  then  to  cross  and  pass  under  ashed 


HISTORY  OF  CHRISTIAN  COUNTY,  ILLINOIS. 


45 


to  run  around  a drum  or  what  is  called  a “trunncl  head,”  which 
was  attached  to  the  grinding  apparatus.  The  horses  or  oxen 
Avere  hitched  to  the  arms  by  means  of  raw  hide  tugs.  Then 
walking  in  a circle  the  machinery  w'ould  be  set  in  motion.  To 
grind  twelve  bushels  of  corn  was  considered  a good  day’s  work 
on  a band  mill. 

The  most  rude  and  primitive  method  of  manufacturing  meal 
Avas  by  the  use  of  the  Grater.  A 2)late  of  tin  is  pierced  with 
many  holes,  so  that  one  side  is  very  rough.  The  tin  is  made 
oval,  and  then  nailed  to  a board.  An  ear  of  corn  was  rubbed 
hard  on  this  grater  whereby  the  meal  Avas  forced  through  the  holes, 
and  fell  into  a vessel,  prepared  to  receive  it.  An  improA^ement  on 
this  Avas  the  Hand-mill.  The  stones  Avere  smaller  than  those  of  the 
band-mill  and  were  propelled  by  man  or  Avoman  power.  A hole 
is  made  in  the  upper  stone,  and  a staff’  of  Avood  is  put  in  it,  and  the 
other  end  of  the  staff’ is  put  through  a hole  in  a plank  above,  so 
that  the  Avhole  is  free  to  act.  One  or  two  persons  take  hold  of 
this  staff  and  turn  the  upper  stone  as  rapidly  as  possible.  An 
eye  is  made  in  the  upper  stone,  through  Avhich  the  corn  is  put 
into  the  mill,  Avith  the  hand,  in  small  quantities  to  suit  the  mill, 
instead  of  a hopper.  A mortar,  Avherein  corn  was  beaten  into  meal, 
is  made  out  of  a large  round  log  three  or  four  feet  long.  One.  end 
is  cut  or  burnt  out  so  as  to  hold  a peck  of  corn,  more  or  less,  ac- 
cording to  circumstances.  This  mortar  is  set  one  end  on  the 
ground,  and  the  other  up,  to  hold  the  corn.  A sweep  is  prepared 
over  the  mortar  so  that  the  spring  of  the  pole  raises  the  pi.ston, 
and  the  hands  at  it  force  it  so  hard  down  on  the  corn  that,  after 
much  beating,  meal  is  manufactured. 

The  picture  here  drawn  of  the  pioneers,  their  modes  of  living, 
their  customs,  and  amusements,  Avhile  lacking  entire  complete- 
ness, Ave  feel  is  not  inaccurate  and  untruthful. 


CHAPTER  V. 

GEOGRArilY,  AGRICULTURAL  AND  MANUFACTURING  RE- 
SOURCES AND  RAILROAD  FACILITIES. 

HRISTIAN  COUNTY  lies  between  the  39th  and  40th 
parallel  of  latitude.  It  is  classed  as  one  of  the  south  cen- 
tral counties.  Its  greatest  length  is  about  thirty-two  and 
a half  miles  from  north  to  south,  and  greatest  breadth 
twenty-seven  miles  from  east  to  Avest,  measured  in  section 
lines,  and  contains  an  area  of  700  square  miles,  or  451,200  acres. 
It  is  bounded  on  the  north  by  Sangamon  and  Macon  counties,  east 
by  Macon  and  Shelby  counties,  south  by  Shelby  and  Montgomery 
counties,  Avest  by  Montgomery  and  Sangamon  counties. 

Taylorville,  the  capital  of  the  county,  is  situated  near  the  centre, 
on  the  lines  of  the  Wabash,  St.  Louis,  and  Pacific  Railway,  and  the 
Springfield  branch  of  the  Ohio  and  Mississippi  Railroad.  It  is 
eighty-one  miles  north-east  from  St.  Louis,  and  twenty  miles  south- 
Avest  from  Decatur. 

Form. — In  form  the  county  is  nearly  an  oblong  square,  and  is 
divided  into  fifteen  full,  and  ten  fractional  congressional  tOAvmships, 
and  into  seventeen  municipal  townships  or  voting  precincts,  as  fol- 
lows: namely,  Pana,  Assumption,  Prairieton,  Rosemond,  Locust, 
May,  Stonington,  Mosquito,  Greenwood,  Johnson,  Taylorville, 
Buckhart,  Mt.  Auburn,  Ricks,  Bear  creek.  South  Fork,  and  King. 

Population. — The  population  of  the  county,  according  to  the 
cemsus  of  1870,  is  20,552.  The  increase  has  been  very  large  since 
then.  The  population  is  cornpo.scd  of  English,  German,  Irish, 
French,  and  Swede  extraction,  with  a few  colored  persons. 

Waters.  — is  Avatei-ed  by  several  streams:  the  Sangamon  river. 


on  the  north,  is  the  large.st,  and  drains  a large  area  of  country  ; its 
principal  tributaries  are  Buckhart  and  Mosquito  creeks.  Buck- 
hart  creek  rises  in  the  south-eastern  i>art  of  Stoning4on  toAvnship, 
and  flows  in  a north-westerly  direction,  leaving  the  county  in  Sec- 
tion 22,  township  15-3,  and  mingles  its  Avaters  Avith  the  Sangamon. 
Moscpiito  creek  heads  in  Wheatland  township,  Macon  county,  and 
runs  in  a Avesterly  direction  until  it  crosses  the  Christian  county 
line,  Avhen  its  course  assumes  a north-AA’esterly  direction,  emptying 
in  the  Sangamon  on  Section  25,  Tp.  16,  Range  2.  By  far  the 
greatest  area  drained  in  the  county  is  by  the  South  Fork,  Flat 
Branch,  Bear  creek.  Clear  creek.  Lick  creek,  Cottomvood  creek. 
Prairie  Fork,  and  their  tributaries.  All  of  the  county  south  of 
Buckhart  and  Stonington  toAvnship  is  drained  by  these  streams 
and  their  tributaries,  Avhich  floAV  principally  in  a northern  and 
north-Avestern  direction,  and  are  all  affluents  of  the  South  Fork. 
Each  of  these  streams  possesses  its  tributaries,  so  that  the  entire 
surface  of  the  country  is  Avell  Avatered  and  drained.  In  portions  of 
the  county  good  Avater  is  afforded  by  copious  springs;  the  high 
; grounds  are  the  AA’ater-sheds  betAveen  the  creeks. 

Timber. — The  streams  of  the  county  are  lined  Avith  belts  of  tim- 
ber varying  from  tAvo  to  six  miles  in  Avidth,  abounding  Avitli  the 
j A’arious  species  of  oak,  hickory,  Avalnut,  sycamore,  maple,  cherry, 
j etc.  The  natiA’e  kinds  of  timber  are  fully  set  forth  in  the  chapter  on 
the  Flora  of  the  county,  and  hence  demand  but  brief  mention  here. 
In  earlier  years  the  timber  Avas  destroyed  Avith  a degree  of  reckless- 
i ness.  IMore  particularly  Avas  this  the  case  Avith  the  lands  of  non- 
j residents  and  speculators ; the  latter  class  entered  most  of  the 
timbered  lands  Avith  the  vieAV  of  future  speculations.  Much  of  the 
1 forest  has  disappeared  before  the  axe  of  the  Avoodman,  and  is  used  for 
I railroad  ties,  for  fuel  and  fencing.  Since  the  introduction  of  Osage 
' orange  for  hedges,  Avhich  are  a common  fence  in  this  county,  and 
the  introduction  of  coal  for  fuel,  it  may  be  safely  estimated  that  the 
annual  groAvth  of  timber  is  fully  equal  to  the  yearly  consumption 
of  this  county.  Artificial  grooves  and  belts,  consisting  chiefly  of 
hard  and  soft  maple,  elm,  and  fruit  trees,  have  been  planted  on  the 
I prairies  for  shade  and  shelter. 

j Land  Surface. — The  land  surface  is  divided  betAveen  timber  and 

! prairie.  At  least  three-fourths  of  the  county  consisted  originally  of 
prairie.  The  surface  in  Rosemond,  some  portions  of  Pana,  Bear 
creek.  South  Fork,  Mt.  Auburn,  and  parts  of  Johnson  and  May, 

! are  rather  undulating.  There  are  occasionally  small  hills  or  bluflk 
I adjacent  to  the  streams,  principally  along  the  Flat  Branch,  South 
Fork,  and  Sangamon,  and  their  tributaries.  This  county  is  a part 
of  AA  hat  has  been  happily  termed  “ Grand  Prairie  of  the  West,” 
Avhich  extends  from  the  heavily-timbered  regions  of  the  sluo'o'ish 

j */  O Oo 

Wabash  on  the  east,  to  the  pine-clad  Rocky  mountains  on  the 
j Avest.  A fcAV  mounds  exist.  The  most  noted  are  those  in  Rose- 
! mond  and  hit.  Auburn  tOAvnships.  The  natural  and  artificial 
groves,  the  fringed  banks  of  the  Avater-courses,  the  smiling  farms, 
Avith  their  fields  of  maize,  and  grain,  and  herds  of  cattle,  all  go  to 
form  a picture  of  surpassing  loveliness.  But  little  of  the  land  is  too 
flat  for  drainage  or  too  broken  for  tillage,  hence  the  greater  portion 
i is  susceptible  of  cultivation,  and  affords  the  Avidest  apjflication  of 
machinery. 

! Soil  and  Agriculture. — This  county  may  be  classed  among  the 
richest  and  most  productiAm  in  the  state.  Its  soil  is  dark  and  of  the 
ricliest  quality,  ranging  from  one  to  four  feet  in  depth.  It  is  com- 
posed largely  of  vegetable  mould,  formed  from  the  decomposition 
of  grass  and  prairie  Aveeds,  the  accumulations  of  centuries.  It  is 
seemingly  inexhaustible.  In  the  more  northern  portions  of  the 
! county  the  soil  is  somcAvhat  changed,  and  is  called  the  “sand  ridge.” 
It  produces  Avell,  and  most  of  it  is  under  cultivation.  Experience 


46 


HISTORY  OF  CHRISTIAN  COUNTY,  ILLINOIS. 


has  demonstrated  that  this  kind  of  soil  will  stand  the  drought  much  j 
better  than  heavier  soils.  There  is  another  ridge  of  a similar  char- 
acter, extending  in  a north-east  direction  from  the  county  seat, 
west  of  the  Flat-Branch  timber.  It  also  produces  well.  The 
soil  of  the  county  generally  is  adapted  to  raising  nearly  all  the 
cereals,  such  as  wlieat,  corn,  oats,  rye,  barley,  etc.  Tobacco,  castor 
beans,  and  flax  have  been  cultivated  to  a considerable  extent. 
Before  the  “deep  snow”  cotton  was  raised  profitably.  The  climate 
then  was  milder.  A few  years  ago  the  castor  bean  was  cultivated 
extensively  on  Bear  creek  and  other  portions  of  the  county.  A 
market  was  found  for  them  at  Edwardsville  at  from  $1.50  to  $2.50 
per  bushel.  In  grain  and  live-stock  the  official  reports  exhibit  a 
wonderful  growth  during  the  past  few  years.  The  climate  is  favor- 
able to  fruit  culture;  all  kinds  can  be  raised  with  success  and  profit.  ' 
Those  mostly  deserving  attention  are  the  apple,  pear,  peach,  cherry, 
jflum,  grapes;  and  many  smaller  fruits  and  berries  thrive  well.  | 
Vegetables  of  all  kinds  grow  to  perfection.  The  “Illinois  Maga- 
zine,” published  nearly  forty  years  ago  at  Vandalia, says,  “Cabbage 
heads  three  feet  in  diameter,  or  nine  feet  in  circumference,  are  no 
gieat  wonder  in  Illinois  soil.”  The  seed  has  somewhat  degenerated 
since  that  date,  or  the  imagination  of  the  editor  was  larger  than  the 
results  attained  at  the  present  time  by  the  growers  of  cabbage.  i 

Grasses. — Blue  grass,  red  and  white  top  clover,  and  timothy, 
grow  with  great  luxuriance. 

The  chief  industry  of  the  people  is  agriculture  and  stock-raising, 
which  employs  a majority  of  the  people  of  the  county,  who  possess  j 
all  the  sterling  virtues  of  the  rural  freeholder.  Directly  upon  the  ' 
hroad  shoulders  of  the  tiller  of  the  soil  rests  the  prosperity  of  every 
other  class  of  men.  He  holds  in  his  hands  the  destinies  of  all. 
His  prosperity  means  universal  prosperity;  his  failure  universal 

distress.  i 

rXITED  STATES  SURVEYS. 


The  following  are  the  dates  and  Surveys  made  in  Christian  cmnty, 
names  of  Deputy  Surveyors,  &c.,  &c. 


Towrmftip 

Date  <f 

'lownskip 

Date  of 

Deputy 

and  Date  of 

Return  of 

Deputy 

and  Date  of  Return  of 

Surceyors. 

Range.  Sureey. 

Survey. 

Surveyors. 

Range.  Survey. 

Survey. 

Enocli  Moore 

11-1  W 1818 

1819 

Wm.5'  Rector  13—2  W 

1821 

Wm.  Gordon 

12-3  E 1818 

1819 

do 

14-2  W 

1821 

W. S. Hamilton  1 1 — 1 E 

1821 

do 

15-2  W 

1821 

<\o 

12-1  E 

1821 

A.  L.  Langham  10—  2 W 

1821 

do 

13-1  E 

1821 

E.  Moore 

11—3  W 

1819 

do 

14-1  E 

1821 

Wm.  V.  Rector  13 — 3 W 

1821 

Enocli  Moore 

12-1  W 1818 

1819 

do 

14-3  W 

1821 

Wm.  V.  Rector  12-1  W 

1821 

do 

15-3  W 

1821 

do 

14-1  W 

1821 

— 

1 1—4  W 

— 

do 

15—1  W 

1821 

— 

12-4  W 

— 

A.  L.  Langliam  10  — 1 W 

1821 

Wm.  V.  Rector  1 3—4  W 

1821 

Enoch  Moore 

11—2  W 

1819 

do 

14-4  W 

1821 

do 

12—2  W 

1819 

Win.  Rector. 

Surveyor  General,  1818. 

J’ltbllc  Lands. — The  ])ublic  lands  were  first  offered  for  sale  in 
November,  1823,  after  which  they  were  subject  to  private  entry. 
On  the  1st  of  July,  1820,  Congrc.ss  reduced  the  price  of  the  public 
lands  from  $2  to  $1.25  per  acre.  On  the  8th  May,  1822,  a land 
office  was  established  at  Springfield,  Illinois.  The  lands  in  the 
north  half  of  the  county  were  subject  to  entry  at  Springfield.  All 
lands  were  exempt  from  taxation  for  five  years  from  date  of  entry. 

The  first  tract  of  land  entered  in  what  now  constitutes  the  boun- 
daries of  Christian  county,  was  by  Jacob  Cagle;  it  being  the  E.  J 
of  \V.  1,. section  10,  township  14-3  (Buckhart  township).  Mar -h 
10th,  1827.  The  .«ocond  tract  entered  was  the  W.  i,  S.  W.  },  sec- 
tion 13,  township  15-3  (Mt.  Atiburn),  Nov.  21st,  1827,  by  Uobert 
Archie,  an  old  settler  familiarly  known  in  the  county.  “Archie’s 
Mill  ” was  a household  word.  It  was  located  on  this  tract. 


The  third  tract  entered  was  in  the  same  township,  W.  J,N.  W.  I, 
section  26,  township  15-3,  on  the  12th  of  September,  1820,  by 
John  Daigh.  The  fourth  tract  by  Ephraim  Cooper,  W.  i,  N.  W.  i, 
section  24,  township  15-3  W-,  Oct.  19th,  1820  ; he  was  the  pioneer 
settler  in  the  north  joart  of  the  county.  These  men  occupied  these 
lands  several  years  as  “ Squatters,”  before  they  came  into  market. 
As  all  the  lands  in  the  county  were  vacant,  they  did  not  apprehend 
any  danger  in  being  entered  out. 

MANUFACTURING  INTERESTS  FROM  CENSUS  OF  1870. 

While  the  chief  industry  of  the  people  of  this  country  is  agricul- 
ture and  stock  raising,  yet  the  manufacturing  interests  are  small 
only  in  a comparative  sense.  We  call  the  attention  of  the  reader 
to  the  following  statistics. 

Census  1870. 


Establish- 

ments. 

Hfind.s  em- 
ployed. 

'p. 

c; 

O 

Wages. 

j Material.^. 

1 Products. 
1 

CHRISTIAN  COUNTY. 

Dollars. 

Dollars. 

Dollars. 

Dollars. 

Agiicultur.al  implements 

2 

9 

8.>00 

2360 

4787 

12244 

Brick 

3 

24 

53  JO 

3700 

IM'O 

12(100 

Carriages  and  wagons 

5 

IS 

7300 

3720 

3(177 

12.525 

Clotliing,  men’.* 

2 

13 

7000 

24(10 

85’H) 

1381K) 

Floui'ing-mill  products 

7 

40 

1.3I.5IKI 

2' -410 

003290 

79U4  0 

Sa^fi,  doors  and  blinds 

13 

16000 

.50s)n 

170‘M) 

29260 

RAILROAII  SYSTEM. 

Transportation  Facilities. 

The  Illinois  Central  Railroad  enters  Christian  county  on  section 
36,  township  14,  range  1 east,  and  traverses  the  county  in  a south- 
western direction,  leaving  it  on  section  33,  township  11,  range  1 
cast,  passing  through  Assumption  and  Pana.  The  latter  is  the  most 
important  station.  In  September,  1850,  congress  passed  an  act, 
and  it  wms  approved  by  President  Fillmore,  granting  an  aggregate 
of  2,595,053  acres  to  aid  in  building  this  road. 

The  act  granted  the  right  of  way,  and  gave  alternate  sections  of 
land  for  six  miles  on  either  side  of  the  road.  The  grant  of  land 
was  made  directly  to  the  state.  On  the  10th  of  February,  1851, 
the  legislature  of  Illinois  granted  a charter  to  an  eastern  com- 
pany, represented  by  Rantoul  and  others,  to  build  it,  with  a capital 
stock  of  $1,000,000.  The  legislature,  in  granting  the  charter, 
and  transferring  to  the  corporation  the  lands,  stipulated  that 
seven  ^ler  cent,  of  the  gross  earnings  of  the  road  should  be 
paid  semi-annually  into  the  treasury  of  the  state  forever.  This 
wise  provision,  in  lieu  of  the  liberal  land  grant,  yields  a hand- 
some annual  revenue  to  the  state.  This  road  has  a total  length  of 
706  miles,  connecting  Cairo  with  Chicago  and  Dunlcith,  or  from 
Cairo  to  Centralia  112  miles,  and  from  Centralia  to  Dunleith  341 
miles.  This  road  is  one  of  the  great  truid<  lines  of  Illinois  and  the 
]\Iissi.ssippi  Valley  ; its  principal  leased  line  in  this  state  is  the  Gil- 
man and  Springfield  road,  and  with  its  loiva  division,  running  from 
Dubuque  to  Sioux  city,  serve  to  mark  it  as  one  of  the  principal 
roads  of  the  west.  It  connects  Chicago  with  St.  Louis  by  the  Van- 
dalia road.  The  first  ground  broken  toward  the  building  of  this 
road  in  this  county  was  in  1853.  And  the  cars  were  running  the 
following  year,  and  then  Pana  and  Assumption  stations  were 
located. 

INDIAN.VrOU.S  AND  ST.  EOUIS  RAII.ROAI). 

(Formerly  the  Terre-Haute,  Alton  and  St.  Louis  railroad).  Its 
general  offices  arc  located  at  Indianapolis,  which  point  is  its  east- 
ern terminus.  And  St.  Imuis  being  the  western  termini,  the 
length  of  track  from  either  termini  is  261  miles.  The  road-bed  is  of 
substantial  buihl,  well  ballasted,  tied  and  ironed.  It  enters  the 
state  of  Illinois  in  Edgar  county,  and  the  principal  towns  which  it 


HISTORY  OF  CHRISTIAN  COUNTY,  ILLINOIS. 


47 


passes  through  in  this  state,  are  Paris,  Charleston,  Mattoon,  Shel- 
byville.  Puna,  Hillsboro,  Litchfield,  Bunker  Hill,  Alton  and  East 
St.  Louis.  The  line  of  the  road  is  laid  through  a very  fertile  dis- 
trict of  the  state,  and  it  receives  a fair  i)roportion  of  the  traffic. 
It  strikes  Christian  county  first  on  the  northern  portion  of  section 
24,  Pana  township,  and  traverses  the  county  in  a south-westerly 
direction,  leaving  it  on  section  33,  in  Ro.semond  township.  The 
stations  in  this  county  are  Pana  and  Roseniond  ; Pana  being  the 
most  important  station.  This  road  was  completed  near  the  same 
date  as  the  Illinois  Central,  the  crossing  of  which  determined  the 
location  of  Pana,  in  1855. 

WABASH,  ST.  LOUIS,  AND  PACIFIC  RAILWAY. 

This  is  the  most  important  road  in  the  county,  and  is  the  great 
north  and  south  line  connecting  with  the  principal  eastern  and 
western  cities;  it  does  a heavy  business.  The  length  of  the  line  in 
the  county  is  over  thirty-one  miles.  It  furnishes  transportation 
facilities  for  the  flourishing  towns  of  Taylorville,  Morrisonville,  Pal- 
mer and  other  stations  on  the  road  and  the  district  of  country  tributary 
and  adjacent  thereto.  It  enters  the  county  on  section  1,  Stonington 
township  traverses  it  in  a southwesterly  direction,  and  leaves  it  at 
Harvel  on  section  34,  King  township.  It  crosses  the  Springfield 
division  of  the  Ohio  and  Mississippi,  at  Taylorville,  the  county-seat. 

This  road  was  built  under  a charter  granted  to  a corporation 
under  the  style  of  Decatur  and  East  St-  Louis  Railroad  ; the  work 
was  commenced  in  1869,  and  finished  through  this  county  in  the 
spring  of  1870.  The  Wabash  is  now  one  of  the  best  roads  in  the  west. 

SPRINGFIELD  DIVISION  OF  OHIO  AND  MISSISSIPPI  RAILROAD. 

This  road  runs  diagonally  through  the  county,  from  the  North- 
west to  the  South-east  corner.  It  enters  the  county  on  section  ten, 
Buckhart  township,  and  travenses  it  in  a south  easterly  direction, 
crossing  the  Wabash,  St.  Louis  & Pacific  at  Taylorville,  and  pass- 
ing on  to  Pana,  leaves  the  country  on  section  24.  Pana  township, 
Taylorville  and  Pana,  are  the  principal  stations  on  the  road,  and 
do  the  greatest  amount  of  business.  There  are  other  thriving  and 
growing  towns  on  the  line  of  this  road,  such  as  Edinburg,  Sharps- 
burg,  Owaneco  and  Millersville.  This  road  was  formerly  known 
as  the  Springfield  and  Pana  R.  R.,  afterwards  as  the  Springfield  & 
South-eastern  R.  R.,  and  on  the  first  of  April,  1875,  it  was  sold  to 
the  O.  & M.  R.  R.  Company.  It  was  built  under  a charter  ob- 
tained in  1865  and  completed  in  1870.  The  first  train  entered  the 
corporation  of  Taylorville  at  5 p.  m.,  October  28th,  1869.  The 
first  through  train  from  Beardstown  to  Shawneetown  was  run  on 
the  28th  of  March,  1872.  The  first  telegraph  office  opened  in  Tay- 
lorville was  at  the  office  of  this  road.  May  11th,  1872. 


CHAPTER  VI. 

GEOLOGY. 

are  indebted  to  A.  H.  Worthen,  editor  of  the  State 
Geological  Report  for  the  following  article,  and  have 
selected  such  portions  as  we  deem  of  most  interest  to 
our  readers. 

GENERAL  FEATURES,  SOIL,  TIMBER,  ETC. 

On  the  north,  it  is  drained  by  the  Sangamon  river,  and  the  cen- 
tral, southern  and  western  parts  of  the  county  are  watered  by  the 
South  Fork  of  Sangamon  and  its  tributaries.  Bear,  Locust, 
Prairie  Fork  and  Flat  creeks.  The  smaller  streams  sometimes  are 
nearly  dry,  but  the  two  main  forks  of  Sangamon  generally  flow  the 
year  round.  The  South  Fork  is  rather  a sluggish  stream  with 
muddy  banks,  but  occasionally,  as  at  Taylorville,  the  water  is  clear 
and  fresh,  indicative  of  latent  springs. 


The  topographical  features  of  this  county  do  not  vary  much  in 
different  localities.  The  prairies  in  the  south-east  are  rolling,  often 
rising  into  mounds.  In  every  other  part  of  the  cotinty  they  are 
flat  or  very  gently  undulating.  Near  the  streams  the  slopes  are 
often  very  gentle.  In  the  southern  half  of  the  county  we  very 
rarely  find  a bluff’  twenty-five  feet  high,  and  in  passing  down  the 
South  Fork  no  broken  or  hilly  land  is  seen  until  we  get  below 
Taylorville.  Four  miles  north-west  of  Taylorville  the  country  is 
rather  hilly,  the  hills  about  sixty  feet  high,  but  not  often  too  steeji 
to  admit  of  cultivation.  A few  miles  further  down,  there  is  a 
gradual  descent  from  the  prairie  to  the  river,  the  bluffs  of  which  are 
about  twenty  feet  high.  In  the  north  east  the  slopes  are  often  so 
gentle  as  to  render  it  impossible  to  trace  a line  between  the  upland 
and  the  lowland. 

On  the  North  Fork  of  the  Sangamon  there  are  occasional  drift 
bluff's  thirty  to  fifty  feet  high,  capped  with  a heavy  growth  of  white 
oak,  but  the  white  oak  lands  do  not  often  extend  more  than  a quarter 
of  a mile  from  the  river,  giving  place  to  a more  undulating  surface, 
with  a growth  of  elm,  hickory,  oak,  sassafras,  cherry,  hazel,  etc. 

This  county  consists  mostly  of  prairie,  the  timbered  laud  being 
confined  to  a narrow  belt  along  the  streams.  On  the  South  Fork 
of  the  Sangamon  the  timber  belt  is  generally  about  three  miles 
wide,  and  along  the  other  streams  from  one  to  two  miles  The 
prairies  are  generally  flat,  with  a luxuriant  growth  of  resin-weed, 
two  species,  viz: — Silphium  liciniatum  and  S-  terebinthinaceum, 
golden  I’od,  solidago,  several  species  ; Liatris,  or  blazing  star,  two 
species,  and  the  beautiful  and  delicately  colored  Physostegia  Vir- 
giniana  and  Gerardia  tenwfolia.  Occasionally,  on  the  basin-like 
depressions  or  flat  marshy  spots  on  the  prairies,  may  be  found  Iris 
versicolor  and  Vernonia  fascicnlata. 

\ There  is  not  much  difference  in  the  quality  of  the  prairie  soil,  it 
being  all  a rich  black  loam  of  from  one  to  two  and  a half  feet  in 
depth,  and  in  the  northern  part  of  the  county  slightly  sandy.  The 
soil  along  the  edge  of  the  prairie  near  Taylorville  is  quite  sandy  ; 
eastwardly  for  six  miles  there  are  occasional  spots  of  poor  sandy  soil, 
with  post  oak  and  black  jack,  but  this  often  gives  place  to  better 
land,  with  white  oak,  black  oak,  hazel  and  sassafras,  or  chen-y, 
laurel  oak,  pin  oak,  hickory,  plum  and  crab  apple.  Along  Locust 
Fork  its  whole  length,  and  on  South  Fork  above  the  mouth  of 
Locust  Fork,  both  on  the  bottoms  and  hill  sides,  the  soil  is  deep  and 
rich,  with  principally  a growth  of  American  elm  and  cornus.  On 
Bear  creek  the  soil  and  growth  is  similar.  On  and  near  Mosquito 
j creek  the  soil  is  rich  and  black,  with  a growth  of  elm,  linden,  coffee 
tree,  cherry,  red  oak,  hickory,  red  bud,  spice  bush  hackberry,  black 
walnut,  honey  locust,  ash,  mulberry,  etc.  West  of  Mosquito  creek, 
on  the  slopes  leading  to  the  North  Fork,  the  timbered  land  is  quite 
sandy  and  the  growth  variable ; on  some  soil  black  oak  predom- 
inates ; where  there  is  much  clay  mingled  with  sand  there  is  a 
j growth  of  red  elm,  sassafras,  etc  ; where  there  is  still  more  clay, 
i laurel  oak,  American  elm,  white  oak,  black  hickory,  shell  bark 
[ hickoiy,  red  bud,  black  oak  and  sassafras. 

1 On  the  south  side  of  South  Fork,  below  the  mouth  of  Bear  creek, 

I . . 

the  prairie  land  often  approaches  the  stream,  and  the  adjoining 
woodland  growth  reaching  to  the  river  bank  consists  of  laurel  oak, 
elm,  hickory,  linden  and  sassafra.s. 

North  of  the  South  Fork  there  are  white  oak  hills  occasionally 
spreading  out  into  flats.  Along  the  Sangamon  river  and  adjacent 
hills  there  is  a good  supply  of  very  good  timber,  consisting  of  white 
j oak,  burr  oak,  black  walnut,  red  oak,  elm  and  linden. 

I Out  on  the  prairie  the  farmers  have  planted  many  hedges  of 
Osage  orange,  and  they  seem  to  thrive  very  well.  Near  Rosemond 
there  is  a thrifty  berberry  hedge. 


48 


HISTORY  OF  CHRISTIAN  COUNTY,  ILLINOIS. 


Crops. — This  is  an  excellent  corn-jirodncing  county,  generally 
averaging  forty  to  fifty  bushels  per  acre,  and  often  sixty  to  seventy- 
five  can  be  raised.  Fall  wheat  gives  a fine  return  to  the  farmer, 
but  requires  the  ground  to  be  well  broken  and  grain  put  in  with  a 
drill.  It  will  average  fifteen  bushels,  and  often  reach  twenty-eight 
to  thirty-two  per  acre.  As  yet  there  have  not  been  many  orchards 
planted,  but  the  apple  crop  is  generally  sure,  and  the  peach  trees 
often  bear  two  years  in  succession.  Where  the  prairies  are  grazed 
down  blue  grass  naturally  springs  up,  and -soon  affords  excellent 
grazing. 

The  Geological  formation  of  this  county  includes  the  Quarternary 
and  Coal  Measures. 

QUARTERNAEY 

Under  this  head  were  recognized  the  alluvium,  loess  and  drift. 
The  alluvium  includes  the  soil  and  recent  deposits  from  the  sti earns; 
and  the  black  clays  of  the  wide  rich  Sangamon  bottoms  are  good 
examples  of  alluvium.  On  Mosquito  creek  the  exposure  along  the 
banks  shows  as  much  as  six  feet  of  dark  rich  loam.  On  the  South 
Fork  of  the  Sangamon  the  black  loam  is  often  ten  feet  or  more  in 
depth. 

The  loess  is  but  partially  developed,  and  is  scarcely  recognized  as 
separate  from  the  drift. 

East  of  Taylorville  the  washings  in  ravines  exhibit  about  ten 
feet  of  buff  and  brown  clays  and  sand  which  may  be  referred  to  the 
loess;  and  in  digging  wells,  about  ten  to  fifteen  feet  of  similar  clay 
is  passed  through,  reaching  beds  of  sand  and  gravel,  in  which  good 
streams  of  water  are  generally  found.  Sand  beds  are  often  reached 
within  eight  feet  of  the  surface.  Good  streams  of  pure  and  pleasant 
tasting  water  are  generally  reached  at  a depth  of  from  twelve  to 
sixteen  feet  on  the  prairies,  sometimes  as  much  as  twenty  feet,  and 
very  rarely  they  have  to  dig  deeper;  but  in  the  timber,  wells  have 
to  be  dug  deeper,  often  twenty  to  thirty-five  feet. 

Bluffs  of  well  marked  drift  deposits  are  often  seen  along  the 
streams,  and  consist  of  brown  sand  with  rounded  jicbbles  and 
boulders,  and  brownish-yellow  and  blue  clay. 

On  J’rairie  Fork  and  Bear  creek,  ten  miles  south  of  Taylorville, 
the  washings  on  the  hillsides  exhibit  at  the  top  soft  brown  clay,  and 
below  clay  with  many  small  round  pebbles.  On  the  North  Fork 
of  the  .Sangamon,  one  mile  west  of  the  east  county  line,  the  river 
bluff  is  fifty  feet  high,  the  upper  portion  of  blue  and  dark-brown 
clay  with  sand  and  pebbles  ; below  there  is  a loose  mass  of  sand  and 
pebbles,  sometimes  cemented  into  a rough  sandy  conglomerate,  at 
times  sufficiently  firm  and  regular  to  make  rough  walls.  Below 
this  there  is  a dark-colored  bed  of  finely  comminuted  sand  and  clay. 
Two  miles  further  down  the  stream  there  is  a low  bluff' of  dark  drift 
clay,  with  pebbles  and  small  boulders  at  the  bottom  and  brown 
clay  at  the  top.  At  this  place  we  observe  a quantity  of  bituminous 
shale,  a little  coal  and  some  fragments  of  limestone,  all  associated 
with  the  drift. 

The  drift  boulders  in  this  county  arc  generally  small,  and  their 
character  and  composition  various.  Among  them  may  be  found 
greenstone,  quartzite,  granite,  sienite,  ci)idote  rock,  corals  from  the 
Devonian  ami  limestone  from  the  .Silurian,  but  no  j)cculiar  drift 
fossihs. 

At  Fana,  the  1.  C.  It.  B.,  passing  through  a mound,  exhibits  the 
following  .section  : 

KT.  IN. 


1 Soil  and  .Siihsoil 0 18 

2 Asli-I.rown  clay 8 0 

I'.rown  Clay  and  small  round  pchhlca Id  0 


'I'his  section  is  similar  to  wliat  may  be  fijund  in  all  the  mounds  of 
this  part  of  tlic  State. 


COAL  MEASURE.S. 

The  formation,  as  seen  in  this  county,  embraces  a thickness  of 
about  230  feet,  in  which  are  visible  two  coal  seams,  only  one  of 
which  is  of  workable  thickness.  These  measures  underlay  the 
whole  of  the  county,  although  there  are  no  outcrops  in  the  south- 
west, nor  do  we  find  any  in  the  north  east  quarter  of  the  county, 
they  being  restricted  to  a small  district  south  of  Pana,  to  Locust 
Fork,  to  .South  Fork  for  ten  miles  up  the  stream  from  the  west 
c.ounty  line;  on  North  Fork  for  three  miles  from  the  west  line  of 
the  county,  and  one  other  outcrop  between  the  forks.  The  deep 
drift  deposits  cover  the  rocks  in  other  places.  These  rocks  belong 
to  the  upper  coal  measures,  and  their  position  in  this  section  is  from 
No.  12  to  No.  32  inclusive. 

The  highest  rocks  (geologically  speaking)  are  the  beds  south  of 
Pana,  at  or  near  White’s  coal  bank,  of  which  the  following  is  a 


section ; — 

FT.  IN. 

1 Drift  of  clay,  pebbles,  etc 23 

2 Clay  sbale 10 

3 Blue  and  bituminous  sbale,  part  quite  calcareous,  passing 

into  a dark-colored  limestone 4 

4 Bituminous  coal  (No.  14) 0 lGto22 

5 Fire  clay 5 

6 Rough-looking  hard  grey  sandstone,  sometimes  in  thin  even 

beds.  No.  20  of  section 4 

7 Sandy  shale,  with  iron-stone  concretions 1-5 


There  is  here  a regular  southerly  dij)  at  the  rate  of  thirty  feet  to 
the  mile,  extending  from  Pana  for  four  miles  South.  It  is  probable 
that  near  or  north  of  Pana,  the  rocks  are  horizontal  and  soon  dip 
north-westwardly,  which  they  evidently  do  ten  miles  north-west  of 
Pana,  although  the  dip  is  slight. 

The  next  rocks  in  descending  order  crop  out  on  Locust  Fork  on 
Section  2,  T.  11  N.,  R.  1 W.,  and  just  north.  They  belong  near 
No.  21  of  the  section,  and  appear  thus  : 

1 Dark  blue  shale,  with  some  regular  layers  of  lenticular  concretions  of 

Iron  stone  and  occasional  strata  of  brown  ferruginous  shales,  con- 
taining remains  of  fo.ssils,  including  Prod,  lonc/ispinus,  Bellerophon, 

Crinoid  stems,  etc.,  part  e.xposed,  remainder  in  shaft total  31  ft. 

2 Ash-grey  limestone,  weathers  drab,  has  buff  shaly  partings,  abounds 

in  Prod,  costatus,  P.lonyispinus,  Athyris  subtilita  ; also  contains  Prod. 
Nebrascenus,  Sp-  camerains.  Prod,  pratlenianus,  a fish  tooth  and  one 
specimen  each  of  Syntrilasma  hemiplicata  and  Allorisma  subcuneata 
hemipticata  and  Allorisma  subcuneata  were  obtained  from  it. 

The  rocks  of  the  above  section  are  regarded  as  being  equivalent 
to  the  Ramsey  creek,  Fayette  county  beds.  The  limestone  (No.  2) 
contains  the  fossils  of  the  Syntrilasma  limestone  of  Ramsey  creek, 
although  but  one  specimen  of  that  fossil  was  found.  The  lithologi- 
cal character,  thickness  and  fossils,  are  the  same  as  beds  found  on 
Beck’s  creek,  Fayette  county,  and  the  overlaying  shales  (No.  1)  are 
similar  to  corresponding  beds  at  the  railroad  bridge,  on  Ramsey 
creek.  Down  the  creek  three  miles,  there  appear  four  feet  of 
lead-blue  argillaceous  limestone,  equivalent  to  No.  22  of  the 
section.  The  iqiper  beds  are  shaly,  the  lower  part  firm,  even,  thick 
beds  of  subcrystalline  fine-grained  deep-blue  limestone,  having  a 
conehoidal  fracture.  The  upper  shaly  j)art  is  traversed  by  fucoidal 
markings,  and  contains  many  fossils,  mostly  Prod,  ymattenianns,  P. 
Nchrasicensis  and  Sp.  camcratns ; but  fragments  of  a Nautilus  and 
Bryozoa  were  also  found  hero. 

A mile  further  down  stream,  rocks  near  No.  25  crop  out  in  the 
bank  of  the  creek,  of  which  the  following  is  a section  : — 

FT. 


1 Soft,  yellow,  oebroy,  ealenreous  slude 5 

2 Dark  olive  clay  shale.s 2 

3 Deep  blue  fucoidal  sandstone,  and  shales 

4 Biluminou.s  shale ? 


HISTORY  OF  CHRISTIAN  COUNTY,  ILLINOIS. 


49 


Fossils  found  in  !Nos.  1 and  2 were  Pleurotomaria  splupruluta, 
Spirifer  cameratus,  Sp.  plano-conve.rm,  Produdm  longUpinus,  P. 
prattenianus,  Orthis  carhonaria,  Itetzia  puncfulij'em,  Lophophyllum 
proUferum,  Macroclieilii<,  (small  sp.),  Bellerophon,  crinoid  stems,  and 
one  line  specimen  Pleurotomaria  tabulata. 

The  next  in  descending  order  is  12  feet  of  sandstone  (No.  26), 
seen  on  South  Fork,  five  miles  below  Taylorville.  The  upper  part 
is  shaly,  the  lower  beds  thick,  hard  and  grey,  and  a softer  brown 
with  dark  specks;  contains  remains  of  Catamites,  Sirjillaria,  and 
other  coal  plants.  Nos.  27,  28  and  29. — In  section  29,  T.  14  N.  R. 
3 \V.,  a quarter  of  a mile  above  Greenwood’s  mill,  was  ob-served  at 


the  top : — 

FT.  IN. 

Ked  sliiile 1 0 

Dark  olive  calcareous  nliale,  containing  Athyris  siibt.ilila,  .a  .small 

Macrncheilus,  Nucida  ventricosa,  and  crinoid  stems 210 

Coal,  No.  12 0 10 

Slope  to  limestone  No.  30  of  general  section 3 0 


Three  miles  above  Ralston’s  bridge,  on  the  South  Fork  of  the 
Sangamon,  observed  Nos.  30  and  31  as  follows: — 

FT.  IN. 

1 Ash-grey,  compact  limestone,  showing  facets  of  calc  spar,  very 

few  fossils 0 8 

2 Shales,  with  nodules  of  huff  limestone  abounding  in  fossils, 

Froductus  costatus,  Productus  lonyispinus,  Spirifer  cameratus, 

Spiriferia  Kentuekensis.  Athyris  subtdita,  Chonetes  variolata  ? 

Crinoid  stems,  Fistulipora  and  Synocladia  biserialis 3 0 

At  Ralston’s  Quarry,  in  section  3,  T.  13  N.,  R.  3 W.,  we  have — 

FT. 

1 Slope  from  top  of  hill 23 

2 Grey  limestone  fossils  are  Productus  costalus,  P.  punctatus,  Spirifer 

cameratus,  Spiriferia  Kentuekensis,  llemipronites  erassus  ....  1 

3 Like  the  last,  but  more  shelly,  fossils  about  the  same 1 

4 Green  shales 1 

5 Brown  shales,  with  nodules  of  limestone;  abounds  in  Athyris 

subtilita,  Crinoid  stems  and  plates,  Lophophyllum  proUferum,  Sp. 
cameratus 1 

6 Gray  or  drab  limestone,  but  few  fossils  ; those  seen  were  Athyris 

subtilita,  Productus  lonyispinus,  P.  Pratlenianus  and  Lophophyllum 
proUferum 9 

Part  of  the  same  may  be  seen  at  Greenwood’s  Mills. 

At  North  Fork  mills,  on  the  North  Sangamon  river,  in  section 
13,  T.  15  N.,  R.  3 W , we  have — 

FT. 

1 Slope  clay  and  sand-drift .50 

2 Limestone,  upper  part  gray  and  nodular,  lower  part  more  firmly 

bedded,  soon  weathers  brown;  fossils:  Productus  lonyispinus, 

P.  costatus,  P.  Prattenianus,  P.  Nebrascensis,  Athyris  subtilita, 
Spirifer  cameratus,  llemipronites 8 

3 Clay  shales,  eontaining  a crinoid  allied  to  Poteriocrinus  heniis- 

phericus 2V 

4 Limestone  weathering  brown 4 

Three  miles  down  stream,  near  the  west  county  line,  the  lower 
part  of  the  last  section  appears  7 feet  thick,  with  brown  shaly  part- 
ings between  the  beds,  which  abound  in  Athyris  subtilita;  the  other 
fossils  are  P.  Costatus,  P.  Nebrascensis,  P.  Prattenianus,  and 
Lophophyllum  proUferum. 

The  limestones  above  described  (Nos.  30  and  31)  correspond  to 
similar  beds  at  Litchfield  and  on  Lake  Fork,  in  Montgomery  county. 

COAL  SHAFT  AT  EDINBURG. 

On  the  22d  day  of  August,  1873,  Dr.  Basil  Greenwood,  and  John 
McKeman,  entered  into  a contract  to  sink  a shaft  for  coal  on  the  lands 

* For  the  facts  concerning  this  mine  the  puhlLshers  are  indebted  to  Dr.  Greenwood. 

7 


owned  by  William  W.  Halford.  The  site  for  the  shaft  was  in  what 
was  then  Blueville,  (but  now  Edinburg\  the  size  was  six  feet  by 
twelve  feet  in  the  clear,  and  has  a partition  in  the  middle,  thus 
forming  two  six  foot  shafts.  After  reaching  about  70  feet,  jMcKeman 
became  dissatisfied  and  sold  out  to  Greenwood,  who  went  on  with 
I the  work.  The  shaft  was  sunk  with  one  horse,  and  from  three  to 
five  men,  and  was  over  four  years  being  sunk  to  the  dejith  of  345 
feet,  and  at  a co.st  of  near  .§16,003.  Below  we  give  the  strata  passed 
through. 


FT. 

IN. 

FT. 

IN. 

Soil  and  drift,  clav 

. 12 

0 

Gray  shale 

9 

0 

Light  sandstone  very  coarsj  . 

. 0 

3 

Reddish  shale  (soft)  . . . . 

. 1 

3 

Mi.xed  shale  and  coal  . . . . 

. 1 

3 

Coal  rock  and  sand  mixed  . . 

. 7 

0 

Hard  clay  shale — hard  pin  . 

. G 

G 

Soapstone  (soft) 

. 3 

4 

' Quicksand  (very  soft)  . . . 

. 0 

10 

Clay  shale  (dark) 

. 1 

4 

Blue  sandstone  (very  hard)  . 

. 0 

2 

Gray  sandstone 

. IG 

0 

Blue  soapstone 

. G 

0 

Gray  .sand  shale 

. 8 

G 

Soft  sandstone 

. G 

G 

Dark  sand  shale 

. 3 

0 

Mixture  of  clav  sand  and  gra\ 

el  10 

G 

Hard  sand  rock 

. 0 

8 

Hard  gray  sand  shale  .... 

. 17 

G 

Dark  sand  shale  with  iron  ha 

11s  8 

0 

Hard  blue  clav  with  hard  nodu 

les  2 

5 

Light  limestone 

. 0 

8 

Soft  blue  shale,  some  water  . 

2 

4 

Black  sandstone  and  shale  . . 

. ,50 

0 

Coal 

. 1 

3 

Gray  sand  shale 

. 9 

0 

Fire  clay 

. 4 

G 

Black  slate  or  shale  . . . . 

. 5 

2 

Hard  gray  limestone  . . . . 

. 8 

10 

Coal 

G 

; Reddish  shale  mixed  with  hard 

Fire  clay  (very  fine)  . . . . 

. G 

2 

baits 

0 

White  sandstone 

. 0 

8 

Variegated  limestone  ( very  ha 

-d)  8 

2 

Fire  clay 

. 1 

2 

Dark  soapstone  (soft)  .... 

. 1 

G 

Gray  sandstone  (gets  darker) 

. 27 

0 

Hurd  conglomerate  rock  w 

th 

Dark  sand  shale 

0 

iron  balls 

. 9 

0 

Hard  black  limestone  with  wl 

lite 

Fire  clay 

. 1 

3 

spots 

. 0 

11 

Black  slate 

. 4 

0 

Black  slate  (very  soft)  . . . 

. 0 

10 

j Coal 

. 0 

G 

Coal 

. 0 

1 

Blue  or  green  clay  .... 

. 1 

3 

Soapstone 

. 0 

2 

1 Hard  fossil  rock  (greenish  color  ) 7 

3 

Coal 

. 0 

1 

Spotted  limestone 

. 8 

0 

Fireclay 

. 0 

6 

j White  fossil  rock 

. 1 

2 

The  exact  depth  of  the  shaft 

IS  315  11 

I After  getting  through  those  strata  and  not  finding  coal  Dr. 

Greenwood  abandoned  the  shaft  for  nearly  three  year’s,  and  let  it 
j fill  up  with  water,  but  again  in  the  spring  of  1879  he  employed  an 
i engine,  and  hoisted  out  the  water,  and  drilled  near  seventy  feet 

I deeper,  but  found  nothing  to  justify  sinking  the  shaft  any  further, 

so  he  put  the  hands  at  work  on  the  last  18  inch  vein  of  coal,  and  it 
proved  to  be  a very  good  article,  and  the  fire  clay  lying  immediately 
under  the  coal  the  shaft  can  be  worked  jirofitably.  This  is  the  only 
mine  in  the  county  where  coal  has  been  raised  to  any  extent,  although 
there  have  been  large  sums  of  money  spent  prospecting  for  it.. 


ECONOMICAL  GEOLOGY. 

Coal. — South  of  Pana  coal  has  been  taken  out  at  several  places 
along  the  head  waters  of  Coal  creek.  At  White’s  bank,  on  section 
34,  township  11,  north,  range  1,  east,  the  seam  is  about  twenty-two 
inches  thick,  of  good  quality,  and  obtained  by  drifting  into  the  hill 
side,  at  an  elevation  of  about  thirty  feet  above  the  level  of  the 
creek.  The  position  of  this  coal  in  the  geological  series  is  about 
420  feet  above  coal  No.  7,  and  corresponds  to  No.  14,  counting 
I from  lowest  coal  upwards,  and  is  numbered  seventeen  in  general 
j section  of  this  and  adjoining  counties.  A ten  inch  seam  crops  out 
; a quarter  of  a mile  up  stream,  from  Greenwood’s  mill,  but  the  coal 
is  of  poor  quality.  A 17  inch  seam  probably  exists  beneath  the 
limestone  at  North  Fork  mills,  about  six  feet  below  low  water. 

I This  coal  is  perhaps  about  365  feet  above  coal  No.  7. 

I Building  Material. — South  of  Pana  there  is  a quarry  of  hard 
gray  sandstone,  which  appears  to  be  very  durable.  At  a quarry 


50 


HISTORY  OF  CHRISTIAN  COUNTY,  ILLINOIS. 


six  miles  west  of  Paim,  on  Locust  Fork,  there  are  four  feet  of  ash- 
gray  limestone,  weathering  bluish-drab.  The  beds  are  rather  thin, 
but  the  rock  is  of  good  quality.  Two  miles  west  of  this  there  is  a 
very  good  quarry  of  deep  blue  limestone;  the  lower  beds,  if  pro- 
perly quarried,  would  make  a pretty  and  durable  building  stone. 

Ralston’s  and  Greenwood’s  quarries,  on  the  South  Fork  of  San-  i 
gamon,  each  contain  several  good  beds  of  building  stone,  and  make 
excellent  lime.  There  are  similar  cpiarries  at  the  North  Fork  mills, 
and  three  miles  west. 

The  lower  two  feet  at  the  quarry  in  section  16,  township  14, 
north,  I’ange  3,  west,  would  probably  make  a good  marble ; it  is  a 
fine-grained,  even-textured,  dove-colorcd  limestone,  with  many  lines 
and  specs,  of  calc-spar. 


CHAPTER  VII. 

FAUNA  OF  THE  COUNTY. 

N presenting  a list  of  the  animals  of  the  county  that 
existed  here  prior  to  and  after  the  advent  of  the  white 
man,  while  the  list  may  not  be  complete,  it  will,  how- 
ever, be  of  interest  to  the  student  and  scientist.  Of  the 
ruminating  animals  that  were  indigenous  to  this  territory,  we  had 
the  American  Elk  (Cervus  Canadensis),  and  still  have  the  deer  of  ! 
two  kinds,  the  more  common,  the  well-known  American  deer  (Cer- 
vus Virginianus),  and  the  White-tailed  Deer  (Cervus  Leucurus). 
And  at  a period  not  very  remote,  the  American  Buffalo  (Bos 
Americanus)  must  have  found  pastures  near  the  alluvial  and  shaded 
banks  of  the  Sangamon  and  plains  and  prairies  of  this  portion  of  | 
tli3  State.  The  heads,  horns  and  bones  of  the  slain  animals  were  j 
still  numerous  in  1820.  The  Black  Bear  (Ursus  Americanus) 
were  quite  numerous  even  in  the  memory  of  the  older  settlers. 
Bears  have  been  seen  in  the  county  within  the  last  thirty  years. 
The  Gray  Wolf  (Canis  Occidentalis)  and  Prairie  Wolf  (Canis  j 
latrans)  are  not  unfrequently  found,  as  is  also  the  Gray  Fox 
(Vulpes  Virginianus),  which  still  exists  by  its  superior  cunning,  j 
The  panther  (Felis  concolor)  was  occasionally  met  with  in  the  ear- 
lier times,  and  still  later  and  more  common,  the  Wild  Cat  (Lynx 
rufus).  The  AVeasel,  one  or  more  species;  the  Mink  (Putorius  j 
Vison);  American  Otter  (Lutra  Canadensis) ; the  Skunk  (Mephitis  ' 
Mephitica) ; the  Badger  (Taxidea  Americana) ; the  Raccoon  (Pro- 
cyoii  Lotor)  ; The  ()ppo.ssuni  (I)idelphys  Virginiana).  The  two  j 
latter  species  of  animals  are  met  with  in  every  ])ortion  of  the 
United  State.s  and  the  greater  j)art  of  North  Atncrica.  The  coon- 
skin  among  the  early  settlers  was  regarded  as  a legal  tender.  The 
Bear  and  Otter  are  now  extinct  in  the  county,  and  were  valuable 
for  their  furs.  Of  the  Squirrel  family  we  have  the  Fox,  Gray, 
Flying,  Ground  and  Prairie  S(juirrel  .Scirus  Ludovicanus,  Caroli- 
ncn.«is,  Volucella,  Striatus  and  S])ermaphilu.s).  The  Wh)odchuck 
(.\rctomys  Monax);  the  common  Musk  Rat  (Fiber  Zibethicus). 
The  Bats,  Slirews  and  Moles  are  common.  Of  the  Muridic  we  have 
the  introduced  species  of  Hats  and  Mice,  as  akso  the  native  Meadow 
Mouse,  and  the  Long-tailed  Jumping  Mouse  (.Mcriones  laihrado-  | 
rus),  freipiently  met  with  in  the  clearings.  Of  the  Hares,  the  ' 
(Lupus  Sylvaticiis)  the  so-called  Rabbit,  is  very  plentiful.  Several 
species  of  tlie  native  animals  have  perished,  being  unable  to  endure 
the  presence  of  ci vilizalion,  or  finding  the  food  congenial  to  their 
tastes  appro|)riate«l  by  stronger  races.  IMany  of  the  pleasures, 
datigers  and  excitements  of  the  chase  are  only  knowti  and  enjoyed 
by  most  of  ns  of  the  present  ilay  through  the  talk  and  traditions  of 
the  |)ast.  J'he  Buffalo  and  the  Elk  have  passed  the  borders  of  the 
Missi.ssippi  to  the  westward,  never  mon;  to  return. 


Of  the  Fish,  the  most  common  are  the  Cat,  Bass  and  the  Sun- 
fish.  The  Perch,  Pike  and  Buffalo  are  also  occasionally  met  with. 
The  common  Carp  Chub  arc  numerous;  the  Bass  is  a game  fish, 
and  affords  fine  sport. 

Ot‘  Birds  may  be  mentioned  the  following:* 

Among  the  Game  Birds  most  sought  after  are  the  JMelcagris 
Gallopavo  (Wild  Turkey),  and  Cupidonia  Cupido  (Prairie  Hen), 
which  afford  excellent  sport  for  the  hunter,  and  are  quite  plenti- 
ful; Pinnated  Grouse  (Bonasa  Umbellus);  Ruffled  Grouse  (Ortyx 
Virgininanus)  ; Quail  (Philohela  Minor);  Woodcock  (Gallinago 
W’ilsonii)  ; English  Snipe,  (Macrorhamphus  Griseus) ; Red-brea.sted 
Snipe,  (Gambetta  Melanoleuca) ; Telltale  Snipe,  (Gambetta  Fla- 
vipes);  Yellow-Legs,  (Li mosa  Fedoa);  Marbled  Godwit,  (Scolofax 
Fedoa,  AVilson) ; Numenius  Longirastris,  (Long-billed  Curlew); 
Numenius  Hudsonicu.s,  (Short-billed  Curlew) ; Rallus  Virginianus, 
(Virginia  Rail);  Cygnus  Americanus,  (American  Swan);  Cygnus 
Buccinator,  (Trumpeter  Swan ) ; Anser  Hyperboreus,  (Snow  Goose) ; 
Bermicala  Canadensis,  (Canada  Goose) ; Bermicala  Brenta  (Brant) ; 
Anas  Boschas  (Mallard);  Anas  Obscura  (Black  Duck);  Pafila 
Acuta,  (Pintail  Duck);  Nettion  Carolinensis,  (Green-winged  Teel) ; 
(^uerqucdela  discors  ( Blue-winged  Teel);  Sj)atula  Clypeata,  (Sho- 
veler) ; Mareca  Americana,  (American  AVidgeon)  ; Ai.x  Sponsa, 
(Summer,  or  AA’^ood-Duck) ; Aythaya  Americana  (Red-head  Duck) ; 
Aythaya  Vallisncria,  (Canvass-back  Duck);  Bucephala  Albeola 
(Butter  Ball);  Lophodytes  Cucculatus,  (Hooded  Merganser); 
(Pelecanus  erythrorhynchus).  Rough-billed  Pelican;  (Colymbus 
torquatus).  The  Loon ; (Aegialitis  vociferus),  Killdeer  Plover ; 
Ball  Head,  Yellow-legged  and  upland  Plover;  (Tantalus  loculator), 
AA'^ild  Ibis,  very  rarely  visit  this  locality.  (Herodus  egretta).  White 
Heron;  (Ardea  Herodias),  Great  Blue  Heron;  (Botaurus  lentigi- 
nosus).  Bittern  ; (Grus  Canadensis),  Sand  Hill  Urane  ; (Ectopistes 
migratoria),  AA’^ihl  Pigeon  ; (Zenaidura  Carolinensis),  Common 
Dove;  (Corvus  carnivorus),  American  Raven;  (Corvus  Ameri- 
canus), Common  Crow;  (Cyanurus  cristatus).  Blue  Jay;  (Doli- 
chonyx  oryzivorus),  Bobo’link  ; (Agelaius  phoenicanus).  Red-winged 
Black  Bird;  (Sturella  magna).  Meadow  Lark ; (Icterus  Baltimore), 
Golden  Oriole;  (Chrysometris  tristis).  Yellow  Bird;  (Junco  hye- 
malis).  Snow  Bird;  (Spizella  Socialis),  Chipping  Sparrow;  (Spi- 
zella  pusilla).  Field  Sparrow;  (Melospiza  palustris).  Swamp  Spar- 
row; (Cyanospiza  cyanea).  Indigo  Bird;  (Cardinalis  Virginianus), 
Cardinal  Red  Bird  ; (Pipilo  erythrophthalmus),  Cheewink ; (Sitta 
Carolinensis),  AA’^hite-bellied  Nuthatch  ; (Mimus  polyglottus).  Mock- 
ing Bird  ; (Minus  Carolinensis),  Cat  Bird;  (Harphorhynchus  ru- 
fus), Brown  Thrush  ; (Troglodytes  aedon).  House  AVren;  (Hirundo 
horreorum).  Barn  Swallow  ; (Cotylc  riparia).  Bank  Swallow  ; 
(Progne  purpurea).  Blue  IMartin ; (Ampellis  cedrorum),  Cedar 
Bird;  (Pyrangra  rubra).  Scarlet  Tanager ; (Pyrangra  astiva). 
Summer  Red  Bird  ; (Tardus  migratorus),  Robin,  came  less  than 
forty  years  ago.  (Sialia  Sialis),  Blue  Bird  ; (Tyrannus  Carolinen- 
sis), King  Bird;  (Sayornis  fuscus),  Pewee;  (Ceryle  alcyon).  Belted 
Kingfi.sher;  (Antrostomus  vociferus),  AA^hij)poorwill ; (Chardeiles 
)H)i)etue),  Night  Hawk;  (Chaetura  pelasgia).  Chimney  Swallow; 
('rrochilus  colubris).  Ruby-throated  Humming  Bird;  (Picus  villo- 
sus).  Hairy  AA^ood pecker ; (Picus  pube.sccns).  Downy  AVoodpccker; 
(Mel  anerpes  erythrocephalus).  Red-headed  AVoodpccker;  (Colaptcs 
auratus),  Golden-AVingcd  AVoodpccker;  (Conurus  Carolinensis), 
(kirolina  Parrot ; (Bubo  Virginianus),  Groat  Horned  Owl;  (Syr- 
nium  ncbulosum).  Barred  Owl;  (Nyctoa  nivea)  Snowy  Owl;  (Ca- 
thartes  aura),  Turkey  Buzzard  ; (Falco  columbarium).  Pigeon 
Hawk;  (Nauclcrus  furcatus).  Swallow-tailed  Hawk;  (Icteria  IMis- 

• In  the  pi-pcmling  mention  of  nnimnls,  both  tlie  scientific  and  common  names  arc 
gencially  given  for  the  convenience  of  the  reader. 


HISTORY  OF  CHRISTIAN  COUNTY,  ILLINOIS. 


51 


sissippicnsis),  Mississippi  Kite;  (Buteo  borealis),  Red-tailed  Hawk, 
(Ilaliatus  leucocephalus).  Bald  Eagle;  (Falco  fulvius),  RiDg-tailed 
Eagle. 

We  give  the  following  classification  of  birds  into  three  divisions, 
as  found  in  the  “Transactions  of  the  Illinois  State  Horticultural 
Society  ” of  1876. 

1st.  Those  of  the  greatest  value  to  the  fruit-growers,  in  destroying 
noxious  insects,  and  which  should  be  encouraged  and  fostered  in 
every  way. 

Blue  Birds,  Tit-mice  or  Chicadces,  Warblers  (small  summer  birds 
with  pleasant  notes,  seen  in  trees  and  gardens).  Swallows,  Vuros  : 
(small  birds  called  green  necks).  All  birds  known  as  Woodpeckers 
except  sap-suckers  (Picus  varius).  This  bird  is  entirely  injurious, 
as  it  is  not  insectivorous,  but  feeds  on  the  inner  bark,  cambium 
(and  the  elaborated  sap)  of  many  species  of  trees,  and  may  be 
known  from  other  Woodpeckers,  by  its  belly  being  yellowish,  a 
large  black  patch  on  its  breast,  and  the  top  of  its  head  a dark  bright 
red.  The  males  have  also  a patch  of  the  same  on  their  throats  and 
with  the  minor  margins  of  the  two  central  tail  feathers  white. 
This  bird  should  not  be  mistaken  for  the  two  other  mo.st  valuable 
birds  which  it  nearly  resembles,  to  wit: — The  Hairy  Woodpecker, 
(Picus  villiosii  et  vars) ; and  the  Downy  Woodpeckei’,  (Picus 
pubescens  et  vars).  These  two  species  have  the  outer  tail  feathers 
white  (or  barred  with  black),  and  have  only  a small  patch  of  red 
on  the  back  of  the  head  of  the  males.  The  Yellow  Hammer  or 
Flecker,  (Colaptus  auratus)  is  somewhat  colored  with  yellow,  and 
should  not  be  mistaken  for  the  sap-sucker.  It  is  a much  larger 
bird.  The  Red-headed  Woodpecker,  (Melanerpes  rythrocephalus), 
sometimes  pecks  into  apples  and  devours  cherries,  and  should  be 
placed  in  the  next  division,  (2d).  The  Wren,  Ground  Robin, 
(known  as  Cherwick),  Meadow  Lark,  all  the  fly-catchers,  the  King 
Bird  or  bee-catcher.  Whip-poor-will.  Night  Hawk  or  Goat  Sucker, 
Nut-hatcher,  Pewee  or  Pewit.  All  the  Blackbirds,  Bobolinks,  j 
Finches,  (Fringillidse),  Quails,  Song  Sparrows,  Scarlet  Tanager,  j 
Black,  White  and  Brown  Creepers,  Maryland  Warblers,  Indigo 
Birds,  Chirping  Sparrow,  Black-throated  Bunting,  Thrushes,  ex- 
cept those  named  in  the  next  class,  and  all  domestic  fowls  except 
geeie. 

2d. — BIRDS  OF  DOUBTFUL  UTILITY. 

Which  include  those  which  have  beneficial  qualities,  but  which 
have  also  noxious  or  destructive  qualities  in  the  way  of  destroying 
fruits,  and  whose  habits  are  not  fully  determined.  (Thus  the  Robin,  ; 
Brown  Thrush  and  Cat  Bird  are  very  valuable  as  cut-worm  eaters, 
but  also  very  obnoxious  to  the  small  fruit  growers.  The  Jay  (Blue 
Jay)  not  only  destructive  to  grain  and  fruits,  but  very  noxious  in 
the  way  of  destroying  the  nest  eggs  and  young  of  smaller  and  better  | 
birds,  Robin,  Brown  Thrush  and  Cat  Bird,  Shrike  or  Butcher  Bird, 
Red-headed  Woodpecker,  Jay  Bird  or  Blue  Jay,  Crow  and  the  1 
small  Owls  (screech  owls),  Pigeons  and  Mocking  Bird.)  [ 

3d. — BIRD.S  THAT  SHOULD  BE  EXTERMINATED. 

Sap-sucker,  or  Yellow-bellied  Woodpecker,  (see  above),  Balti-  ! 
more  Oriole,  or  Hanging  Bird,  Cedar  Bird,  or  Wax-wings  (Ampelis  j 
cedrorum),  Hawks  and  the  larger  Owls.  ' 


CHAPTER  VIII.  i 

FLORA. 

r is  not  the  purpose  of  this  chapter  to  speak  exhaustively 
on  the  plants  of  the  county,  but  rather  to  give  a list  of  I 
the  national  trees  and  shrubs  and  grasses  found  within  ! 
its  limits.  The  intelligent  farmer  looks  at  once  to  the  l 


native  vegetation  as  a sure  indication  of  the  value  and  fertility  of 
the  soil. 

The  botanist  in  making  a survey  of  the  State  of  Illinois  would 
consider  it  under  three  heads,  or  ordinances;  the  heavily  timbered 
regions  of  the  South,  the  flora,  which  is  remarkable  for  its  variety; 
the  central  portion,  consisting  mainly  of  prairie,  yet  not  without 
grooves  which  are  usually  adjacent  to  water  courses.  The  county 
of  Christian  lying  as  it  does  in  the  prairie  region,  presents  all  the 
characteristics  of  a jirairie  county.  Upon  the  flora  of  this  county 
civilization  has  produced  its  inevitable  effect.  Our  article  will 
particularly  treat  of  the  more  valuable  woods  utilized  in  the  me- 
chanic arts,  and  the  grasses,  plants,  vegetables,  and  flowers  most 
beneficial  to  man,  and  particularly  those  which  are  natives  of  the 
county.  Many  species  of  the  vegetable  kingdom  have  fled;  the 
Buffalo  grass,  which  only  grew  on  parts  of  the  prairies,  and  almost 
wholly  the  large  pamjias  grass,  have  become  extinct,  and  given 
place  to  blue-grass,  which,  in  places  where  domestic  cattle  feed,  is 
rapidly  and  quietly  displacing  all  others.  The  2ihints  are  many 
and  rare,  some  for  beauty  and  some  for  medicine.  The  pink-root, 
the  columbo,  the  ginseng,  the  boneset,  pennyroyal,  and  others  are 
used  as  herbs  for  medicine.  Plants  of  beauty  are  phlox,  the  lily, 
the  asclepias,  the  mints,  golden  rod,  the  eye-bright  gerardia,  and 
hundreds  more  which  adorn  the  meadows  and  brook-sides;  besides 
are  climbing  vines,  the  trumjiet  creejier,  the  bitter  sweet,  the  wood- 
bine, the  clematis,  and  the  grape,  which  fill  the  woods  with  gay 
festoons,  and  add  grace  to  many  a decaying  monarch  of  the  forest. 
The  trees  and  grasses,  one  so  lordly  and  permanent,  the  other  so 
humble  and  transient,  are  the  true  glories  of  the  county.  The  oak, 
with  at  least  its  twenty  varieties;  the  hickory,  with  as  many  more 
species;  the  thirty  kinds  of  elm,  from  the  sort  which  bear  leaves  as 
large  as  a man’s  hand,  to  the  kind  which  bear  a leaf  scarcely  larger 
than  a man’s  thumb-nail;  the  black  walnut,  so  tall  and  straight; 
the  hackberry ; gum  tree,  black  and  sweet;  the  tulip;  the  giant 
cotton-woods,  and  hundreds  more  attest  the  fertility  of  the  soil  and 
mildness  of  the  climate,  while  the  blue-grass  in  its  ten  varieties,  the 
timothy  and  red-top,  with  clover  so  abundant  in  succulence,  affords 
excellent  pasturage,  and  ojiens  a fine  field  for  the  dairyman  or  stock 
raiser. 

The  following  is  a partial  list  of  the  trees  and  plants  of  the 
county : 

Poa  pratensis — spear-grass;  Poa  compressia — blue-grass,  common. 

Arisiema  triphyllum — Indian  turnip  ; Typhlatifolia — cat-tail  ; 
Sagittaria  variabilis — arrow-head  ; Cypripedium  pubescens— yel- 
low lady’s  slipjier;  Cyprijiediurn  candidum — white  lady's  slipjier, 
common. 

Cannabis  sativa — hemp;  Humulus  lupulus — hop,  not  common. 

Datura  stramonium — Jamestown  weed;  Asclepias  cornuti — milk 
weed;  Fraxinus  Americana — white  ash ; Fraxinus  sambucifolia — 
black  ash;  Phytolacca  . decandra — poke  weed;  Amarantus  hybri- 
dus — pigweed;  Rumex  crispus — sour  dock  ; Sassafras  officinale — 
sassafras;  Benzoin  odoriferus — fever  bush  ; Marrubium  vulirare — 
hoarhound;  Solanum  nigrum — night-shade;  Physalis  viscosa— 
ground  cherry;  Monarda  didyma— horsemint ; Nepeta  cataria— 
catnip  ; Hedeoma  pulegioides— pennyroyal ; Diospyros  virginiana 
— persimmon;  Plantago  major  - plantain  ; Verbascum  thapsus — 
mullein,  common;  Cirsium  lanceolatum— common  thistle;  Lappa 
m ijor — Burdock  ; Tara.xacum  dens-leonis — dandelion,  common,  in- 
troduced during  the  last  forty  years. 

Lrecthites  hieracifblia — fire  weed  ; Ambrosia  artemisaifolia — rag 
weed;  Xanthium  struniarium— cockle  burr ; Bidens  bipinnata — 
Spanish  needle;  Bidens  chrysanthemoides— beggar  ticks;  ]\Ianta 
cotula — May  weed  ; Leucanthcnuim  vulgare — ox-eyedaisy,  common. 


HISTORY  OF  CHRISTIAN  COUNTY,  ILLINOIS. 


Eupatoriiim  perfoliatiim — thorougliwort,  not  common  ; Cornus  j 
Florida — dogwood  ; Sambiicus  Canadensis — elder,  very  common  ; 
liibes  cynosbati — wild  gooseberry  ; Pyrus  coronana — wild  crab, 
abundant. 

Crategus,  several  species ; Rosa  setigera — climbing  rose;  Rubus 
lucida — dwarf  wild  rose  ; Rubus  villosus — blackberry,  abundant.  | 
Asimina  triloba — papaw’,  quite  abundant  along  the  creek  bot- 
toms ; Nelumbium  luteum — May  apple,  abundant  in  shady  places. 

Sanguinaria  Canadensis,  or  bloodroot;  Lepidium  Virginicum — | 

wild  pepper-grass;  Portulaca  Oleracea,  or  purslane;  Tilia  Ameri- 
cana, or  linden,  not  abundant ; Zanthoxylum  Americanum — prickly  ^ 
ash,  scarce  ; Rhus  typhina — sumach  ; Rhus  toxicodendron — poison 
oak;  Vitis  jestivalis — summer  grape,  common;  Vitis  cordifolia — 
frost  grape ; Ampelopsis  quinquefolia — Virginia  creeper;  yPseulus 
pavia — buckeye,  scarce;  Acer  saccharinum — sugar  maple;  Acer  ! 
dasycarpum — white  maple;  Xegundo  aceroides — box  elder;  Bap- 
tisia  tinctoria — indigo  w'ced,  not  abundant ; Cercis  Canadensis — j 
red-bud;  Gymnocladus  Canadensis — Kentucky  cotfee-tree ; Gleidt- 
schia  tracanthos — honey  locust:  Prunus  Americana — red  plum; 
Prunus  chicasa — Chickasaw' plum  : Prunus  ecrotina — wild  cherry;  i 
Fragaria  Virginiana — wild  strawberry;  Rubus  occidentalis — black  j 
cap  raspberry;  Rubus  Canadensis — dewberry,  common.  ^ * 

Populus  angulata — cotton-wood,  abundant. 

Salix — willow',  several  varieties.  [ 

Alims  serrulata — alder.  i 

Betula — birch  ; Carpinus  Americana — horn-bean,  not  common. 
Corylus  Americana — hazel  nut,  abundant ; Castanea  pumila — j 
chinquapin.  | 

Quercus  rubra — red  oak;  Quercus  pal ustris— water  oak,  com-  j 
mon  ; (Quercus  tinctoria — black  oak  ; Quercus  nigra— black-jack  ; j 
(Quercus  imbricaria — laurel  oak  ; Quercus  prinus — chestnut  Avhite 
oak;  (Quercus  castanea — yellow  oak,  not  common  ; Quercus  alba — 
white  oak,  common  ; (Quercus  obstiloba — post  oak,  abundant.  | 

Carya  glabra — pig-nut  hickory;  Quercus  macrocarpa — overcup 
oak,  common  ; Carya  tomento.sa — white-heart  hickory  ; Carya  alba 
— shell-bark  hickory  ; Carya  oliva;formis — pecan;  not  common.  ; 

Juglans  nigra — black  walnut,  abundant ; Juglans  cinerea — but-  | 
tcr-nut,  not  common. 

IMatanus  occidentalis — sycamore. 

Ulmus  fulva — red  elm;  Moms  rubra — red  mulberry;  ITrtica  | 
dioica— stinging  nettle;  Ulmus  Americana — Avhite  elm,  abundant. 

In  the  above  list  we  have  given  the  scientific  as  well  as  the  Eng- 
lish narne.s,  believing  such  a course  to  j)ursue  in  the  study  of  ])lanls  ' 
more  beneficial  to  the  student  or  general  reader.  There  may  be 
some  plants  omitted,  yet  w'e  think  the  list  quite  comjilete. 


dow'ii  said  river,  to  the  line  between  sections  nine  and  ten,  in  town- 
ship fifteen  north,  of  range  three  west;  thence  south,  to  the  south- 
east corner  of  section  four,  in  township  fourteen  north,  range  last 
aforesaid  ; thence  west,  three  miles  by  the  surveys ; thence  south 
three  miles  by  the  surveys  ; thence  west  three  miles  by  the  surveys: 
thence  south,  to  the  southern  boundary  of  township  eleven,  range 
last  aforesaid  ; thence  east,  with  the  surveys,  to  the  third  principal 
meridian ; thence  north,  to  the  place  of  beginning,  shall  constitute 
the  County  of  Dane. 

Approved,  Febriianj  15th,  1839. 

Thomas  Carlin,  Governor.” 

We  append  the  follow'ing  report  of  the  Commissioners. — “The 
undersigned,  Benjamin  Mitchell,  of  Tazew'ell  county;  John  Henry, 
of  Morgan  county;  and  Newton  Walker,  of  Fulton  county,  having 
been  appointed  commissioners  to  locate  the  seat  of  justice  of ‘Dane 
county,’  according  to  the  provisions  of  the  law'  establishing  said 
county,  met  at  the  town  of  Allenton,  in  said  county  of  Dane,  on 
Monday,  the  20th  day  of  May,  A.  D.,  1839,  pursuant  to  a previous 
agreement  betAveen  said  commissioners,  and  after  being  first  duly 
sworn  by  Esquire  Ketcham,  an  acting  Justice  of  the  Peace,  in  and 
for  said  county,  faithfully  and  impartially  to  discharge  the  duties 
imposed  upon  us  by  said  laAV,  proceeded  to  explore  said  county  and 
to  locate  the  seat  of  justice  thereof,  Avith  a vieAv  to  the  present  and 
future  population,  and  having  fully  examined  the  same,  and  being 
satisfied  in  the  premises,  Ave  fixed  and  located  the  scat  of  Justice  of 
said  county  of  Dane,  on  the  West  half  of  the  North-east  quarter  of 
section  twenty-seven,  in  tow'iishij)  thirteen  north,  range  2,  to  Avest  of 
the  third  principal  meridian,  in  the  most  eligible  place  at  or  near  a 
stake  established  by  us  on  said  half  quarter  section  ; Ave  also  took  a 
bond  from  M.  Eastham,  proprietor  of  said  land,  Avith  good  and  suf- 
ficient security  conditioned  for  the  conveyance  of  a public  square, 
of  not  less  than  two  acres  of  said  land  to  said  county,  on  Avhich  to 
erect  a court-house,  and  also  for  the  payment  of  three  thousand 
dollars  in  cash,  according  to  the  provisions  of  said  law.” 

In  testimony  wliereof  Ave  have  hereunto  set  our  hand  and  affixed 
our  seal  this  24th  day  of  May,  A.  D.,  1839. 

Benjamin  Mitchell, 

Signed,  j John  Henry, 

Newton  Walker,  ^k\l\ 

I 

Filed  May  21th,  1839. 

C.  R.  Matheney,  Clerk,  (of  Sangamon  Co.') 


CHAPTER  IX. 

Cl  VI L JIISTOR  V. 

RIOR  to  1839  that  portion  of  Illinois  noAV  knoAvn  as 
Christian  county,  Avas  a part  of  Sangamon,  Mont- 
gomery, and  Shelby  counties,  and  was  originally  named 
Dane,  Avliich  title  it  held  for  one  year.  In  1839 
the  legislature,  in  sc.ssion  at  the  capital,  Vandalia,  pas.sod  an  act 
entitled  “ An  act  creating  the  county  of  Dane,”  and  iippointing 
( Aunmissionors  to  select  a .seat  of  Justice,  w hose  names  appear  in  the 
report  which  is  appemled. 

“.la  Act  to  cntal)li.-h  the  county  of  Dane”  “ Bot:Nl>.Al!lE.s  of 
I)ani;  Coi'nta'.”  “ 'I'hat  all  that  tract  of  country  lying  within  the 
following  boundaries,  fo  in'f  .■  Beginning  where  the  third  principal 
meridian  cro.sses  the  north  fork  of  the  Sangamon  river  : thence. 


AVhile  some  of  the  citizens  approved  of  the  location,  others  Avere 
dissatisfied.  We  quote  the  following  from  the  Springfield  Journal 
of  September  20th,  1839  : 

“ That  the  county  seat  Avas  not  located  in  accordance  Avith  the  im- 
])lied  Avish  of  nine-tenths  of  the  citizens,  is  a proposition  which  has  ne- 
A'er  been  denied  by  any  pcr.son  residing  therein,  but  on  the  contrary, 
Avas  located  in  opposition  to  their  wishes.  The  citizens  held  a meet- 
ing, (and  there  Avas  quite  a respectable  collection  of  people  before 
the  location  Avas  made),  expressed  a desire  to  have  Allenton  or 
I'hlinburg  selected.  There  Avas  not  a dissenting  A’oicc  in  the  meet- 
ing. Yet  the  commissioners  wholly  disregarded  this  expression  of 
the  citizen.s.” 

The  land  on  which  the  location  Avas  made  Avas  entered  in  1835, 
by  Daniel  G.  Goode,  an  old  jiioneer  citizen,  and  by  him  conveyed 
on  the  23d  of  May,  18.39,  to  Marvellous  J'lastham  and  others  for 
that  j)urposc.  4'he  acknowh’dgment  of  the  deed  of  conveyance  was 


HISTORY  OF  CHRISTIAN  COUNTY,  ILLINOIS. 


53 


before  Eli  Matthews,  J.  P.,  May  24th,  1839.  The  deed  is  “ wit- 
nessed ” by  the  late  Hon.  Stephen  A.  Douglas,  who  made  an  affi- 
davit to  that  effect,  May  30th,  1839,  before  Thomas  C.  Brown,  one 
of  the  Associate  Judges  of  the  Supreme  Court  of  Illinois. 

Sarveij  of  the  County  seat. — The  law  provided  that  the  location  of 
the  county  seat  should  not  be  made  on  private  property,  unless  the 
owner  thereof  convey  to  the  county  twenty  acres  of  the  land,  having 
tlie  court-house  square  in  the  centre,  or  donate  in  lieu  thereof 
$3,000,  to  be  used  iu  the  erection  of  Public  Buildings.  The  town 
was  surveyed  and  platted  by  T.  M.  Neal,  county  surveyor  of  San- 
gamon county,  for  a company  cotn posed  of  Dr.  Richard  F. 
Barrett,  Hon.  John  Taylor,  Marvellous  Eastham,  and  Robert 
Allen,  citizens  of  Springfield,  Illinois.  Tlie  company  agreed  to  pay 
the  “bonus  of  $3,000”  in  pursuance  of  law,  and  executed  their 
obligations  for  said  am  )unt.  They  however  failed  to  pay  the 
money  at  its  maturity.  A suit  was  instituted,  and  the  case  even- 
tually carried  to  the  Supreme  Court;  and  while  pending  in  that 
court  the  matter  was  compromised  by  the  company,  they  convey- 
ing to  the  CO  inty  the  “ Public  square  and  78  town  lots  in  Taylor- 
ville.”  This  arrangement,  it  was  claimed,  greatly  inured  to  the 
interests  of  the  proprietors  of  the  town.  These  lots  wei’e  afterward 
sold  at  merely  nominal  prices  by  the  county  authorities,  to  persons 
agreeing  to  improve  them. 

Christening  the  County  Seat. — The  location  of  the  seat  of  justice 
was  looked  upon  by  the  old  settlers  as  an  important  event  in  the 
history  of  the  county.  It  was  determined  to  honor  the  occasion  in 
a suitable  manner;  therefore  a sumptuous  dinner  was  given  to  the 
ywoprietors  at  the  house  of  Daniel  C.  Goode,  the  former  owner  of 
the  land.  The  dinner  was  supplemented  with  an  ample  supply  of 
old  Monongahela.  Some  of  the  guests,  feeling  its  exhilarating  effects, 
proposed  to  name  the  new  county  seat,  and  that  in  so  doing  it 
should  be  in  honor  of  one  of  the  notable  guests  present.  The  pro- 
position was  received  with  hearty  eclat.  In  resi^onse  to  a toast  it 
was  named  Taylorville,  in  honor  of  Hon.  John  Taylor,  of 
Spi’ingfield,  Illinois,  one  of  its  proprietors. 

CHANGING  THE  NAME  OF  THE  COUNTY. 

The  county  was  first  named  Dane,  in  compliment  to  Nathan 
Dane  of  Massachusetts,  who  had  been  a member  of  Congress,  and 
rendered  prominent  as  the  author  of  that  celebrated  North-western 
Ordinance,  by  which  that  large  territory  was  forever  consecrated 
to  freedom.  Tlie  act  was  passed  by  Congress  on  the  13th  of  July, 
1787.  In  a speech  at  Boston,  shortly  after  the  nullification  times 
of  1832,  Daniel  Webster,  in  referring  to  Hayne’s  speaking  in  an 
ironical  manner  of  “ one  Nathan  Dane,”  exclaimed  scornfully — 
“Mr.  Hayne  calls  him  ‘one  Nathan  Dane?’  I tell  you,  my 
fellow-citizens,  that  Nathan  Dane  Avas  no  Federalist,  and,  that  as 
author  of  the  North-western  Ordinance,  his  name  is  as  immortal  as 
if  it  were  written  on  yonder  firmament,  blazing  forever  between 
Orion  and  Pleiades.” 

This  statement  is  made,  as  on  it  hinged  the  changing  of  the  name 
Dane,  to  that  of  Christian.  It  was  rumored  that  Dane  was  a rank 
old  “Federalist,”  and  effectually  used  by  those  seeking  the  change. 
The  county  at  that  time,  as  now,  was  democratic,  and  the  term 
“ Federalist  ’ was  distasteful — often  used  as  a term  of  opprobrium 
towards  their  opponents  in  those  partisan  days.  The  name  Dane 
was  suggested  and  first  put  in  the  original  petition,  asking  for  the 
new  county,  by  Wm.  S.  Frink,  a prominent  “whig”  politician  at 
that  period,  who  took  an  active  part  in  the  formation  of  the 
county.  This  fact  gave  coloring  to  the  charge.  At  the  time  he 
thought  little  about  the  political  proclivities  of  the  author  of  the 
celebrated  ordinance,  but  selected  the  name  from  his  known  na- 


tional reputation  ; and  from  the  fact  that  in  the  great  north-west 
there  was  no  county  by  that  name,  thus  avoiding  the  too  fre- 
quent use  of  names  common  in  counties  and  towns  in  this  and  other 
states.  Since,  however,  a county  in  Wisconsin  has  been  called  Dane. 
Daniel  C-  Goode,  an  old  settler  and  uncompromising  Jackson  dem- 
ocrat, circulated  petitions  to  have  the  name  changed.  In  aid  of  the 
movement,  a mass-meeting  of  the  citizens  of  the  county  was  held 
on  the  open  prairie,  where  the  court-house  now  stands  ; Thomas  P. 
Bond  addressed  the  meeting;  made  the  motion,  which  was  adopted, 
substituting  the  name  Christian  for  that  of  Dane.  This  name  was 
suggested  from  the  fact  that  many  of  the  inhabitants,  at  that  time, 
were  from  Christian  county,  Kentucky.  The  change  was  effected 
and  legalized  by  an  act  of  the  legislature,  passed  February  1st, 
1840.  Hon.  Thos.  J.  Nance  was  the  representative  of  the  district 
in  the  legislature,  and  it  was  through  his  efforts  that  the  prayer  of 
the  petitioners  was  granted,  and  the  bill  became  a law. 

The  records  and  proceedings  of  the  county,  fur  the  first  year 
after  its  organization,  appear  under  the  name  “Dane.”  But  on  the 
2d  of  March.  1840,  on  the  official  records  of  the  county  court,  the 
change  is  thus  noted,  “ Christian  {alias  Dane)  county.”  Who 
first  conceived  the  idea  of  the  formation  of  the  county  is  lost 
in  the  labyrinths  of  the  past ; prominent  in  the  movement  to 
effjct  it  was  Col.  Thos.  P.  Bond,  Judge  W.  S.  Frink,  Daniel  Miller, 
Gabriel  R Jernigan,  Jesse  Murphy,  AVilliam  S.  Ricks,  Aaron  Mc- 
Kenzie, A.  D.  Northeutt,  Amos  Richardson,  William  B.  Hall  ; 
other  petitions  were  circulated  on  two  different  occasions;  the  first 
petition  failed  to  secure  all  the  territory  the  friends  of  the  move- 
ment desired.  This  caused  the  circulation  of  another  petition 
asking  the  annexation  of  additional  territory.  Col.  Bond  was 
the  bearer  of  the  first  petition  to  the  legislature.  The  Act  made 
the  third  principal  meridian  the  eastern  boundary  of  the  newly 
formed  county.  It  was  expected  to  extend  six  miles  further 
eastward,  as  set  forth  in  the  first  petition,  but  for  some  cause  was 
ignored.  The  act,  therefore,  as  passed,  was  not  satisfactory;  and 
more  especially  to  the  inhabitants  residing  on  the  territory  border- 
ing along  the  east  side  of  the  meridian  line.  Seeing  the  importance 
of  adding  a tier  of  townships  from  Shelby  county,  Judge  Frink, 
AVm.  B.  Hall,  and  Aaron  McKenzie  circulated  petitions  in  Febru- 
ary, 1839,  over  Shelby  county.  The  men  in  charge  of  the  petition 
pushed  the  canvass  with  a will  and  determination  over  the  territory 
of  Shelby,  securing  a majority  of  the  legal  voters  favoring  the 
annexation  project.  Jesse  Oliver,  then  county  clerk  of  Shelby 
county,  appended  his  official  certificate  to  that  effect.  The  prayer 
of  the  petitioners  was  granted,  and  became  a law,  granting  to  the 
county  of  Dane,  townships  eleven,  twelve,  thirteen,  and  the  south 
half  of  fourteen  north,  range  one,  east,  of  the  3d  principal  meri- 
dian. In  this  valuable  acquisition  the  county  secured  an  additional 
area  of  80,640  acres  of  choice  land. 

FIRST  ELECTION  FOR  COUNTY  OFFICERS 

Was  held  on  the  first  Monday  of  April,  1839.  The  county  ivas 
divided  into  three  precincts,  north,  centre,  and  south,  with  voting 
places  at  Buckhart  Grove,  Allenton,  and  at  the  house  of  John  Z. 
Durbin.  The  judges  of  election  for  Buckhart  were  James 
Fletcher,  George  D.  Pier-son,  and  John  George;  clerks,  Samuel 
Virden  and  Gustavus  A.  Kilbourn.  For  Allenton  — Judges 
were  John  Estes,  Joshua  Brents,  and  Isaac  Harris ; clerks,  Thomas 
S.  Leachman  and  Jesse  Murphy.  At  Durbin’s — Judges  were  Rich- 
ard Simpson,  Isaac  Log.sdon,and  Thomas  Durbin;  clerks,  William 
Durbin  and  Christ.  K.  Durbin.  The  residents  of  Bear  creek  voted 
at  the  John  Z.  Durbin  poll ; and  those  of  the  lower  South  Fork  at 
Allenton,  and  all  the  North  Fork  country  at  Buckhart  Grove.  The 


54 


HISTORY  OF  CHRISTIAN  COUNTY,  ILLINOIS. 


law  provided  that  the  judges  of  election  should  meet  at  Allenton, 
some  three  miles  north-east  of  Taylorville,  compare  the  vote,  and 
deliver  to  each  officer  elected  a certificate  to  that  effect.  The  judges 
of  election  were  further  required  to  retain  the  poll-books,  until  the 
county  clerk  elect  had  been  qualified,  when  they  were  to  make  re- 
turns of  the  election  to  the  said  county  clerk.  It  was  made  the 
duty  of  the  clerk  to  transmit  an  abstract  of  the  votes,  so  returned, 
to  the  secretary  of  state ; tliis  was  done,  and  the  same  mailed  at 
Blue  Point,  the  nearest  post-office  at  that  date.  Unfortunately 
this  abstract  of  the  vote  given,  is  missing  from  the  files  in  the  Sec- 
retary of  State’s  office.  The  population  of  the  county  at  that  date 
was  small,  about  1,400 ; the  total  number  of  votes  polled  was 
only  IGO. 

FIRST  OFFICERS  ELECTED 

AVere  E S.  Young,  Clerk  of  the  County  Court;  Thomas  W.  Davis, 
Probate  Justice;  AVilliam  S.  Ricks,  Sheriff;  Benjamin  AVilliams, 
Coroner;  H.  M.  Vandeveer,  Recorder;  John  S.  Stockton,  County 
Surveyor.  Thomas  P.  Chapman, 

Peter  Porter,  I 

Gavin  Ralston,  Sr.,  ; 

County  Commissioners'  Court. 

OFFICERS  APPOINTED  BY  THE  COUNTY'  COURT. 

Jesse  Murphy,  Collector  of  Revenue ; Gabriel  R.  Jernigan,  ! 
County  Treasurer;  H.  M.  Vandeveer,  School  Commissioner.  This  ; 
was  the  crowning  event  in  the  formation  of  the  new  county;  the 
long  expectations  of  friends  realized  ; and  with  its  newly  elected 
officers,  it  was  prepared  to  take  position  in  the  ranks  of  its  sister  j 
counties  in  the  state. 

RECORD  OF  THE  MEETING  OF  THE  FIRST  BOARD  OF  COMMTS-  [ 

SIONERS. 

i 

AVith  this  tribunal,  more  than  any  other,  devolved  the  duty  of 
setting  the  county  machinery  in  motion.  The  three  commissioners  i 
elected,  Thomas  P.  Chapman,  Peter  Porter,  and  Gavin  Ralston,  Sr.,  I 
constituted  what  was  styled  the  County  Commi.ssioners’  Court. 

It  was  made  their  duty  to  transact  all  official  business  pertaining  to 
the  interests  of  the  county,  the  making  of  roads,  bridges,  selection 
of  jurors,  and  a general  supervision  of  the  financial  operations  of 
the  county. 

The  first  term  of  this  court  was  held  on  the  loth  of  April,  1839, 
at  a small  village  called  Edinburg,  located  about  two  miles  north- 
wc.st  of  Taylorville,  on  G.  AV.  A'alentine’s  farm.  The  county  seat 
luul  not  yet  been  located.  There  were  present  at  this  meeting  the 
three  commissioners,  E.  S.  Young,  county  clerk,  and  AA’’m.S.  Ricks, 
sheriff.  The  court  was  opened  in  due  form  by  the  proclamation  of 
the  sheriff.  A herd  of  deer  grazing  near  by  were  startled  at  the 
anomalous  sound,  and  fled  to  the  wilds  of  the  prairie.  The  first 
entry  of  record  reads,  “ ordered,  that  county  commissioners  have 
met  according  to  appointment  for  the  business  of  tbe  county  of 
D.inc;  that  the  clerk  of  this  court  provide  suitable  blank  books 
fur  keeiiing  all  records  of  the  county.”  The  county  was  divided 
into  four  a.sse.s.sors’ di.stricts,  and  the  appointment  of  as  many  a.sses- 
Eors  : John  S.  Stockton  was  for  the  first  or  North  Fork  district, 
and  for  his  .services  rendered  charged  the  county  ton  dollars;  Daniel 
Goode  was  selected  for  the  .second,  or  central  district,  receiving 
for  his  services  ten  dollars;  Thomas  P.  Bond  was  appointed  for  the 
third,  Bear  creek, or  the  south  part  of  the  county,  charging  for  like 
sorvi(;es  seven  dollars;  Aquilla  Council  was  appointed  for  the 
fourth,  or  lower  South  Fork  ; his  charge  for  services  rendired  was 
fourteen  dollars.  Making  a total  cost  of  only  841  for  as.sessing  the 
entire  county. 


COUNTY’  ROADS. 

The  value  of  good  roads  to  a nation  or  county  cannot  be  over- 
estimated ; they  are  evidences  of  a high  civilization.  Savages 
make  no  roads  and  build  no  bridges.  It  is  only  at  the  behest  of 
civilized  man  that  the  beautiful  arch  springs  across  the  stream.  A 
great  people  are  road-builders,  and  the  Eternal  City  retained  sway 
over  her  conquered  and  remote  provinces  by  means  of  the  magnifi- 
cent highways  that  radiated  from  her  gates.  AVhen  the  first  .settlers 
came  into  the  county,  it  is  needless  to  say  that  no  roads  existed. 
Along  the  trail  which  was  first  marked  out  by  the  footsteps  of  the 
buffldo,  the  wily  Indian  pursued  his  aimless  wanderings.  Much 
has  been  done  since  that  distant  day  in  providing  roads  along  which 
products  travel  to  the  place  of  shipment;  yet  much  remains  to  be 
done.  One  of  the  great  drawbacks  of  the  county,  to-day,  is  the 
want  of  good  roads.  Business  languishes  and  trade  is  paralyzed 
during  a portion  of  the  year  on  account  of  the  execrable  condition 
of  the  public  roads.  The  people  seem  almost  to  have  given  them- 
selves up  to  the  belief  that  from  the  level  nature  of  the  country, 
and  the  character  of  the  soil,  excellent  roads  are  impossible,  unless 
they  are  macadamized.  Let  the  roads  be  improved,  and  the  farm 
interests — the  really  important  ones  to  a nation  or  a community — 
wdll  grow’  apace.  A better  system  of  road  supervision  and  drainage 
should  be  devised. 

The  County  Commissioners,  understanding  the  importance  of 
roads,  at  their  first  session  formed  seven  road  districts,  and  appointed 
supervisors  for  the  same.  Fur  the  first,  Martin  Hinkle;  second, 
John  G.  Fletcher;  third,  David  Simons;  fourth,  Allen  B.  Peabody; 
fifth,  AVm.  B.  Hall;  sixth,  Presley  Peek,  and  seventh,  Francis 
Adams.  There  were  two  leading  eastern  routes  passing  through 
the  county,  one  of  which  was  the  Springfield,  Charleston  and  Terre 
Haute  stage  road.  On  these  the  supervisors  were  directed  to  ex- 
pend the  road  labor.  The  court  then  directed  its  attention  to  the 
opening  of  county  roads;  one  of  its  regulations  was,  that  every  pe- 
tition or  application  for  a new'  road  should  be  accompanied  with  ten 
dollars  to  defray  expenses  in  making  the  location  and  survey,  and 
every  person  signing  the  petition  should  perform  a day’s  work  on 
the  same.  In  those  days  people  were  not  hasty  in  signing  petitions. 
On  petition,  and  ten  dollars  accompanying  it,  Eli  Matthews,  Thos. 
Young,  and  AV’^illiam  Harvey  were  appointed  commissioners  to 
view  and  locate  a road  from  Taylorville,  in  a north-western  direc- 
tion, to  Elgan’s  mill,  on  the  lower  South  Fork.  Another  petition 
and  ten  dollars  were  laid  before  the  court,  asking  for  a road  from 
Taylorville  to  Hillsboro,  to  cross  the  South  Fork  at  Simpson’s 
Ford,  a short  distance  below'  the  Clarksdale  bridge,  taking  in 
Bond’s  Point  and  the  Ricks’  farm,  on  the  head-waters  of  Bear 
creek.  Thos.  S.  Leachman,  Joshua  Brents  and  Thos.  P.  Bond  were 
appointed  view'crs  to  examine  and  locate  it.  Those  were  the  first 
two  roads  receiving  official  sanction.  James  Young,  Jesse  Murphy 
and  John  Z.  Durbin  were  appointed  additional  supervisors  to  look 
after  these  and  other  local  roads.  All  road  supervisors  were  ap- 
jiointcd  by  the  court,  and  compelled  to  serve  without  compensation, 
under  a penalty  of  five  dollars.  Neglect  of  duty  was  made  an  in- 
dictable offence.  Times  have  changed.  Such  is  not  the  penalty  for 
non-.scrvice  at  the  present. 

ELECTION  I’RECINCT.S. 

The  court,  at  its  fir-st  term,  divided  the  county  into  four  justices 
or  election  jirccincts:  North,  East,  AVest  and  Central.  The  North 
embraced  all  that  territory  lying  north  of  a line  running  from 
Camiibellsburg,  due  oast,  to  the  county  line,  taking  in  one  tier  of 
.sections  south  of  the  line  diviiling  townships  14  and  15.  It  con- 
tained an  area  ol'  107  square  miles.  Place  of  voting,  at  Fargo 


HISTORY  OF  CHRISTIAN  COUNTY,  ILLINOIS. 


55 


Milligan’s.  The  first  jiulgcs  of  election  were  James  Fletcher,  Geo. 
D.  Pierson  and  George  Dickerson.  Tlie  East  comprised  the  terri- 
tory lying  cast  of  a line  beginning  at  the  nortli-west  corner  of  sec- 
tion 10,  township  14 — 1 west,  running  tlience  south,  through  old 
Stonington  to  the  county  line,  containing  an  area  of  195  square 
miles.  Place  of  voting.  Old  Stonington.  Judges  of  election  were, 
Elijah  Palmer,  David  Simons  and  Peter  R.  Ketcham.  The  West 
embraced  the  territory  lying  west  of  a line  beginning  at  the  north- 
west corner  of  section  7,  township  14, — 2 and  running  thence  south, 
on  the  dividing  line  between  townships  2 and  3,  to  the  county  line, 
containing  an  area  of  207  square  miles.  Place  of  voting,  at  Fran- 
cis Adams’.  Judges  of  election  were,  Robert  Richardson,  Thomas 
Anderson,  of  Bear  creek,  and  Francis  Adams.  The  Central  com- 
prised all  that  territory  lying  between  the  East  and  West  precincts. 
It  contained  an  area  of  207  square  miles.  Place  of  voting,  the  old 
village  of  Edinburg.  Thomas  Young,  Jesse  Murphy  and  Isaac 
Harris  were  the  judges  of  election. 

FIRST  BRIDGE. 

In  1839,  the  court  made  the  following  order: 

“Ordered,  and  it  is  hereby  decreed  that  $25  be,  and  is  hereby 
appropriated  for  the  use  and  purpose  of  erecting  and  completing  a 
bridge  across  the  Flat  Branch,  at  the  place  where  the  county  road 
from  Blue  Point  to  the  Brushy  Branch  crosses  said  stream,  and 
that  the  Supervisor  of  Roads  in  District  No.  5,  shall  have  an  order 
issued  on  the  treasury  for  said  sum,  to  be  expended  by  said  super- 
visor for  the  use  and  jiurpose  above  named.” 


PRECINCT.  NAME.  VOTE. 

r A.  D.  Nortbcutt 47 

North  Fork.  ■]  James  Baker 41 

bGeo.  D.  Pierson 17 

Aquilla  Council 55 

Presley  Peck 55 

South  Fork.  - Samuel  D.  Slater 23 

Jesse  Elgan 23 

Thomas  P.  Bond 17 


For  Constables  there  were  fourteen  candidates  to  be  voted  for  and 
only  eight  to  be  elected,  two  for  each  precinct. 


PRECINCT. 

NAME. 

VOTE. 

- James  R.  Lucas .... 

...  46 

Taylorville,  ' 

' John  W.  Young.  . . . 

...  29 

(or  Central.)  | 

[^John  P.  Nelson.  . . . 

...  31 

( 

"Wm.  L.  Hammer.  . . 

Stonington,  ^ 

Nicholas  Sanders  . . . 

. . . 12 

( 

Frederick  Fitch  .... 

...  12 

\ 

" James  M.  Fletcher  . . 

...  47 

North  Fork. 

Tho.L  E.  V.  Farris  . . 

...  33 

( 

L Ira  Stockton  

...  21 

f Amos  Richardson  . . . 

...  55 

1 John  L.  Cagle  .... 

...  37 

South  Fork. 

Jackson  Wilson  .... 

1 John  Martin 

...  25 

( Alfred  Currie 

...  21 

SECOND  SESSION. 

Assessment  of  Property. — At  a county  commissioners’  court,  begun 
and  held  in  June,  1839,  a tax  of  seventy  cents  on  every  one  hun- 
dred dollars’  worth  of  property,  was  ordered  levied  for  State  and 
county  ])urposes.  Amongst  the  property  specified  as  taxable,  were 
slaves  and  indentured  negroes  or  mulatto  servants,  watches  and 
their  appendages,  and  all  other  personal  pi  operty,  except  “ the  law- 
ful fire-arms  of  each  individual.”  This  tax  when  it  was  collected 
amounted  to  $760,411.  But  little  of  the  land  was  then  taxable,  as 
they  were  exempt  for  five  years  after  entry.  This  very  much  re- 
duced the  revenue  of  the  county. 

ELECTION  FOR  JUSTICES  AND  CONSTABLES. 

The  first  election  for  justices  and  con.stables,  two  in  each  of  the 
four  precincts,  with  one  additional  in  the  Central,  was  held  at  the 
regular  annual  election,  August  5th,  1839.  This  election  came  oflP 
only  four  months  after  the  organization  of  the  county,  and,  as  the 
abstract  of  the  votes  cast  at  the  April  election  is  lost,  this  one  will 
give  the  reader  a very  fair  idea  of  the  voting  force  in  the  county  on 
its  organization.  As  each  voter  had  the  privilege  of  casting  two 
votes  for  the  two  justices  to  be  elected  in  each  precinct,  it  will  re- 
duce the  apparent  vote  of  the  county  nearly  one-half  There  were 
thirteen  candidates  for  the  offices  of  justice  of  the  peace,  nine  of 
whom  were  elected.  The  following  is  an  abstract  of  the  votes  given 
at  the  election  held  in  Dane  county,  August  5th,  1839: 


For  Justices  of  the  Peace. 


PRECINCT. 

Taylorville, 
(or  Central.) 

Stonington. 


NAME.  VOTE. 

r Wm.  M.  Thomas, 39 

j Eli  Matthews, 49 

1 Richard  Simpson, 43 

I A.  A.  Hesser 12 

( Peter  R.  Ketcham 23 

I David  Simons 25 


“ State  of  Illinois,  ] 

Pane  County  f j “ I,  Ezekiel  S.  Young,  Clerk  of  the  County 

Commissioners’  Court  of  Dane  County,  having  taken  to  my  assist- 
ance Richard  Simpson  and  Peter  R.  Ketcham,  Justices  of  the  Peace 
of  said  county,  and  proceed  to  open  the  poll  books  of  the  above 
Election,  and  we  hereby  certify  the  foregoing  to  be  a true  and  cor- 
rect abstract  of  the  votes  polled,  Aug.  5,  1839.” 

c E.  S.  Young,  Clerk  Co.  Com.  Ct, 
Signed  Richard  Simpson,  J.  P. 

( Peter  R.  Ketcham,  J.  P. 

Richard  Simpson  and  Peter  R.  Ketcham  were  old  justices  hold- 
ing over,  elected  before  the  organization  of  the  county,  and  whilst 
the  territory  was  under  the  jurisdiction  of  other  counties.  The 
county  clerk  makes  a further  certificate  in  transmitting  officially 
the  votes  to  the  secretary  of  state  at  Springfield. 

“ State  of  Illinois,  ) 

Dane  County  f j ‘ I,  Ezekiel  S.  Young,  Clerk  of  the  County 
Court  in  and  for  said  county,  do  hereby  certify  the  foregoing  to  be 
a true  and  correct  abstract  of  the  poll  books  of  said  Election,  now 
on  file  in  my  office. 

In  testimony  whereof  I have  hereunto  set  my  hand  and  the  seal 
of  said  county,  at  Edinburg,  this  30th  day  of  August,  1839. 

E.  S.  Young,  Clerk  Co.  Ct.  Dane  County. 

The  county  clerk’s  certificate  appended  above  shows  that  Edin- 
burg was  the  temporary  county  seat  at  that  date.  As  a matter 
of  interest,  an  abstract  of  votes  cast  at  several  subsequent  elections, 
as  well  as  the  persons  voted  for  is  given.  It  exhibits  the  strength 
of  the  parties  in  popular  elections  forty  years  ago.  The  annual 
elections  then  were  held  in  the  month  of  August,  instead  of  Novem- 
ber, as  at  present.  The  sovereigns  voted  viva  voce,  and  not  by 
ballot. 


56 


HISTORY  OF  CHRISTIAN  COUNTY,  ILLINOIS. 


ELECTION 

, AUGUST  3d,  1840. 

For  State  Senator 

..E.  D.  Tavlor 

.Dem 

208 

(< 

..E.  D.  Baker 

■Wl'ig 

Ill 

Total 

319 

For  Representative 

.Martin  White 

219 

it 

.Thomas  S.  Leachman. .IVhig 

95 

Total 

For  Coiintv  Comniis-ioners 

..Aquilla  Council 

186 

U U 

..Gavin  Ralston 

..Whig 

82 

Total 

268 

For  Sheriff 

Wm.  S.  Ricks 

.Dem 

184 

it 

.Thos.  E.  V.  Farris... 

..Whig 

103 

Total 

287 

For  Coroner 

..Jacob  Lovely 

..Dem 

112 

» 

George  Jacobs 

.Whig 

U 

Daniel  Robb 

..Dem 

17 

Total 

For  County  Cominisr’s  Clerk 

..John  C Goode 

..Dem 

((  ii 

David  Miller 

-Whig 

116 

Total 

For  Countv  Trea.surer 

.Gabriel  R Jernigan., 

..Dem 

172 

(i  ii 

.W’m.  M.  Thomas 

102 

Total 

The  total  vote  of  the  county 

■ Avas  319. 

John  C.  Goode  was  elected  county  clerk  to  fill  the  vacancy  occa- 
sioned by  the  resignation  of  E.  S.  Young;  Aquilla  Council  elected 
county  commissioner  in  place  of  Gavin  Ralston,  Sr.,  whose  term  of 
office  had  expired  ; Gabriel  R.  Jernigan  elected  county  treasurer 
(previous  to  this  he  had  held  the  office  by  appointment  of  the 
county  court) ; E.  S.  Young,  county  clerk,  assisted  by  Eli  Matthews, 
J.  R.,  and  Presley  Peek,  J.  P.,  opened  the  election  returns,  August 
4,  1840,  at  Taylorville,  the  new  county  seat.  Mailed  the  returns 
at  Blue  Point,  at  that  time  there  being  no  post-office  at  Taylor- 
ville. 

OFFICIAI.  VOTE  FOR  PEE-IDENT,  1840. 

(Election  in  November.) 

For  Martin  Van  Ifiiren 147 

For  Wni.  II.  Harrison 89 

Total 236 

ELECTION  AUGUST  2,  1841. 

For  County  Commissioners Overton  Williams 12.5 

‘‘  “ Richard  Simpson 106 

“ ‘‘  I’eter  Porter 56 

“ ‘‘  Scattering  6 

Total 293 

For  Coroner  to  fill  vacancy. I.conard  Kilbnrn 80 

For  School  Commissioners .John  W.  Wheat 179 

“ ‘‘  .\rmstead  N.  Ilesser 109 

Total 288 

For  Collector. ...Jesse  Murphy — rcapppointed  hy  theCourt  for  1842. 

ELECTION  AUGU.ST  1,  1842. 

For  Rcjiresenlalive II.  M.  Vandevecr 

“ Martin  White 

‘‘  I lenry  laickett 


382 


SPECIAL  ELECTION,  OcT.  8,  1842. 

For  County  Surveyor Allen  B.  Peabody 148 

“ “ S.W.  Baker .*. 18 

“ “ Wm.  Sharp 2.') 

“ ‘‘  Scattering 6 

Total 197 

For  County  Recorder,  to  fill  vacancy  caused  by  the  resignation  of 
H.  M.  Vandeveer, 

“ “ Thos.  Dougherty 109 

“ “ Fenj.  L.  Yates 71 

Total 180 


At  the  election,  August  7,  184.3,  Wm.  S.  Frink  was  elected  Pro- 
bate Justice;  Phil.  C.  Ferguson,  County  Clerk  ; Thos.  B.  Dough- 
erty, County  Recorder;  Je.sse  Elgan,  County  Commissioner;  Wm. 
A.  Goodrich,  County  Surveyor;  Thomas  S.  Leachman,  School 
Commissioner;  Jesse  Murphy,  Assessor  and  Treasurer;  Thomas 
E.  V.  Farris  was  appointed  by  the  Court,  Collector,  for  1843-4. 

On  the  5th  of  August,  1854,  an  election  was  held  for  Repre- 
sentatives. The  candidates  were: 

Wm.  S-  Ricks Dem 245 

Benj.  L.  A'ates Whig 186 

Total 431 

Henry  Hardin  was  elected  sheriff ; George  Dickerson,  Jesse  El- 
gan, and  John  H.  Bilyeau,  county  commissioners;  Green  B.  Ketch- 
am,  coroner.  The  following  Avas  the  vote  for  Congressmen — for 
Orlando  B.  Ficklin,  democrat,  251 ; U.  F.  Linder,  whig,  181  votes; 
democrat  majority,  70.  Democrat  majority  on  representative,  59. 
From  the  above  excerpts  from  the  records,  the  student  of  the  politi- 
cal history  of  the  earlier  years  of  the  county  can  gather  much 
valuable  information,  showing  the  political  complexion  of  the 
county  at  that  period. 

Believing  that  it  will  be  of  interest  to  our  numerous  readers  to 
know  who  administered  justice  to  the  citizens  prior  to  the  organiza- 
tion of  the  county,  Ave  give  the  names  of  the  justices  of  the  peace 
elected  at  the  election  in  1835.  The  territory  noAV  embraced  in 
Christian  county  Avas  formed  into  three  election  precincts,  tAvo  in 
Sangamon  and  one  in  Montgomery  county.  At  the  regular  election 
in  August,  1835,  the  following  Avere  elected  justices  of  the  peace  for 
Buckhart  precinct,  Peter  R.  Ketcham  and  John  L.  Thompson  ; in 
Cotton  Hill  precinct,  a part  of  which  Avas  in  this  county,  John  Rape 
and  Samuel  Stites ; in  Bear  creek  precinct,  a part  of  Montgomery 
county,  Joseph  P.  Durbin  and  Richard  Simpson. 

FINANCES  OF  THE  COUNTY  IN  THE  EARLY  TIMES. 

The  records  for  the  December  term,  1839,  of  the  county  court, 
show  some  interesting  exhibits.  The  court  at  all  times  exercised 
the  most  rigid  economy  ; the  bill  for  all  the  necessary  record  books 
for  opening  u])  the  seA’eral  deiiartmeuts  of  the  county  Avas  exceed- 
ingly moderate.  II.  M.  Vandeveer,  clerk  of  the  circuit  court,  Avas 
authorized  to  make  the  purchases.  The  bill  rendered  Avas  as  fol- 


lows : 

For  Recorder’s  Office $24  37 

“ Circuit  Clerk’s  Office 82  00 

“ County  “ 93  25 

School  Commissioner’s  Office 8 87 

Jury  Book 1 2.5 

County  Seal 12  00 


$221  74 

The  clerks  used  a Avooden  bench  with  a scrcAV  fixed  in  a frame, 
for  more  than  twenty  years,  to  take  imiircssions  of  the  official  seal. 


I )om 176 

I )cni 1 1 .3 

.Whig 93 


Tot.al.. 
For  Slieriir. 


Amos  Ricbanlson  t'lecled. 


HISTORY  OF  CHRISTIAN  COUNTY,  ILLINOIS. 


It  cost  $2  50.  This  economical  outfit  lasted  for  several  years. 
In  contrast,  the  annual  expenses  of  the  county,  at  jiresent,  for 
hooks,  blanks  and  stationery,  approximate  $1,000.  The  court 
appropriated  at  the  rate  of  four  dollars  per  month,  to  pay  office 
rent  for  use  of  the  circuit  and  county  clerks.  The  “Ralston  build- 
ing,” was  the  first  one  in  Taylorville,  used  for  that  purpose,  after 
its  location  as  the  county  seat.  It  was  moved  from  Edinburg.  The 
house  now  stands  on  the  corner  south  of  the  jail.  A jtart  of  the 
same  building  was  occupied  by  Ralston  and  Gilbert’s  store.  The 
court  meant  promptitude  as  well  as  economy  in  business ; they  di- 
rected the  treasurer  to  pay  $21.37  to  Messrs  Berchall  & Co.,  of 
Springfield,  immediately.  They  seemed  not  only  in  earnest  in 
paying  the  obligations  of  the  county  with  dispatch,  but  made  a 
further  commendable  move  in  the  direction  of  economy,  by  ordain- 
ing that  “ the  officers  and  members  of  this  court  charge  nothing  for 
services  rendered  this  term.”  This  act  of  disinterested  patriotism 
on  the  part  of  the  early  officers  and  founders  of  the  county  is 
worthy  of  commendation. 


FIRST  DEED  EXECUTED  AFTER  ORGANIZATION  OF  THE  COUNTY. 


Below  we  give  the  first  deed  filed  for  record  ; it  was  made  by 
David  C Hall  to  John  Skeedy,  for  a tract  of  land  in  township  13, 
2,  containing  four  hundred  acres,  the  consideration  being  five 
liuudred  dollars. 


“ This  Indenture  made  and  entered  into 
this  first  day  of  IMay  in  the  year  of  our 
Lord  One  thousand  eight  hundred  and 
thirty-nine,  by  and  between  David  C.  Hall 
of  the  County  of  Dane  and  State  of  Illinois, 
of  the  first  part  and  John  Skeedy  of  the 
County  of  Sangamon  and  State  of  Illinois  of  the  second  part 
WiTNESSETii  that  the  said  party  of  the  first  for  and  in  consideration 
of  the  sum  of  Five  hundred  dollars  of  lawful  money  of  the  United 
States  to  them  in  hand  paid  by  the  said  party  of  the  second  part 
the  receipt  whereof  is  hereby  acknowledged,  have  given,  granted, 
bargained,  sold,  aliened,  assigned,  enfeoffed  and  conveyed,  and  by 
these  presents  do  give,  grant,  bargain,  sell,  alien,  assign,  enfeoff  and 
convey  unto  the  said  i>arty  of  the  second  part  his  heirs  and  assigns 
certain  lots,  or  piece  of  ground  lying  and  being  situated  in  the 
County  of  Dane  and  State  of  Illinois,  known  and  described  as  fol- 
lows, (viz)  1st  the  west  half  of  the  south-west  quarter  of  section 
number  eight,  township  number  thirteen.  No.  2.  The  east  half 
of  the  south-east  quarter  of  section  number  seven,  No.  3.  The 
south-west  quarter  of  the  south-east  quarter  of  section  number 
seven.  No  4.  The  north-west  quarter  of  the  north-west  quarter 
section  number  seventeen.  No.  5.  The  west  half  of  the  south-west 
quarter  of  section  number  nine,  all  of  which  being  in  township  No. 
13  north  of  the  ba.se  line  in  range  No.  1 west  of  the  third  principal 
meridian.  Containing  in  all  four  hundred  acres.  Entered  at 
Vandal  ia. 

To  have  and  to  hold  the  above  described  lot  or  parcel  of  ground, 
together  with  all  and  singular  the  privileges  or  appurtenances 
thereunto  belonging  or  in  any  wise  appertaining,  to  the  said  party 
of  the  second  part,  his  heirs  and  assigns,  to  and  for  their  own  proper 
u.se,  behoof  and  benefit  forever.  And  the  said  party  of  the  first 
part  for  themselves,  their  heirs,  executors  and  administrators,  do 
hereby  covenant  and  agree  to  and  with  the  said  party  of  the  second 
part,  his  heirs  and  assigns,  forever  to  w'arrant  and  defend  the  title 
to  the  above  described  premises,  against  the  claim  or  claims  of  any 
and  all  persons  whatsoever,  and  that  they,  the  said  party  of  the 
first  part,  are  the  only  true  and  lawful  owners  of  the  said  premise*, 
and  that  they  are  free  from  all  and  all  manner  of  incumbrances. 

8 


David  C.  Hall, 

TO  1 Jlub.  J 
John  Skeedyl 


In  testimony  w’hereof  the  said  party  of  the  first  part  have  bere- 
nnto  set  their  hands  and  seals,  the  day  and  year  first  above  wn-itten.” 
In  presence  of 

B.  S.  Clement.  D.  E.  Hall. 

“ State  of  Illinois,  ) 

Sangamon  County,  j ' Be  it  remembered  that  on  the 
day  of  the  date  hereof  came  before  the  undersigned,  a Justice  of 
the  Peace  in  and  for  the  said  county,  D.  E.  Hall,  who  is  2>ersonally 
known  by  said  Justice  to  be  the  identical  person  whose  name  is 
subscribed  to  the  forgoing  deed  of  conveyance,  and  who  then  ac- 
knowledged his  voluntary  execution  of  the  same  for  the  puiqioses 
therein  exercised. 

Given  under  my  hand  and  seal  this  1st  day  of  May  1839.” 

Benj.  S.  Clement,  J.  P. 

FIRST  WILL  ON  RECORD. 

“ In  the  name  of  God.  Amen  : — 

I,  Joel  Wadkins,  being  weak  in  body,  but  of  perfect  mind  and 
memory,  make  this  my  last  will  and  testament.  In  the  year  one 
thousand  eight  hundred  and  thirty-nine  and  the  sixth  day  of  De- 
cember-first that  all  my  just  debts  be  jiaid — and  my  funeral  ex- 
penses be  paid  out  of  my  personal  estate;  the  balance  of  my  jiersonal 
estate  I give  and  bequeath  to  my  beloved  wife  as  her  own,  for  her 
benefit  and  use,  to  do  with  as  she  may  think  fit  or  see  proper  for 
her  own  benefit  and  use  ; my  real  estate  I also  give  to  my  wife,  the 
interest  benefit  of  it  during  her  natural  life  for  her  benefit  and  use 
to  do  with  as  she  may  think  best  during  her  life  term;  except  an 
improvement  made  on  my  land  by  my  son-in-law,  John  Morgan.  I 
grant  him  the  2U‘ivilege  of  living  on  that  2iart  he  has  improved  on 
my  lands  as  long  as  he  may  think  2iroper  or  see  fit  to  do ; when  he 
leaves,  then  my  wife  to  have  the  use  and  benefit  of  the  same.  The 
balance  of  my  lands  during  her  natural  life-time  ; after  the  death  of 
my  wife  I give  and  bequeath  to  my  son  Nathan  forty  acres  of  mv 
land.  I also  give  to  my  youngest  .son  Joel  sixty  acres  of  my  land.  I 
also  give  and  bequeath  to  my  youngest  daughter  Jane  twenty  acres 
of  my  land,  this  land  to  be  laid  ofi’  so  as  to  give  each  a portion  of 
timber  and  prairie  according  to  the  quantity  here  allotted  to  those 
having  done  this. — Agreeable  to  my  mind  I now  close  this  wilt  by 
saying  Amen  to  the  things  of  time.  Signed  by  his  own  hand  ami 
seal  this  day  and  date  above  written.” 

his 

Joel  x Wadkins. 

mark 

“ Acknowledged  to  be  for  the  special  purposes  set  forth  in  the 
above  will  this  6th  day  of  December,  1839. 

Jay 

FIRST  LICENSE. 

At  the  Se2itember  term,  1840,  the  County  Commissioners’  court 
issued  the  first  license  to  keep  a grocery  in  Taylorville;  the  record 
reads  as  follows: 

“ Ordered  that  John  Sampson  be  licensed  to  kee2i  a grocery  in 
the  town  of  Taylorville  for  the  term  of  three  months  from  this 
date,  the  said  John  Sanqison,  fir.st  2iW"’»  county  treasury 

the  sum  of  six  dollars  and  twenty-five  cents  for  the  pHvilege  here- 
by granted.” 

FIRST  CIRCUIT  COURT. 

The  county  of  Dane,  now  Christian,  was  attached  to  the  eighth 
judicial  circuit;  it  embraced  the  counties  of  Sangamon,  Tazewell, 
McLean,  Livingston,  IMacon,  Dane,  Logan  and  Menard.  The  first 
term  was  held  at  Taylorville,  November  4th,  1839.  In  the  ab- 


Es  Baker,  J.  P. 


5S 


HISTORY  OF  CHRISTIAN  COUNTY,  ILLINOIS. 


sence  of  a court-house,  its  sessions  were  held  in  a small 
frame  house,  12x14  feet,  owned  by  II.  M.  Vandeveer,  and 
situated  on  the  north  side  of  the  public  square.  The  town 
having  been  so  recently  located,  there  were  but  few  tene- 
ments in  the  place.  This  small  house  had  to  serve  the  ])urpose  of 
a hotel,  stage  office,  and  court  room.  In  jury  cases  that  body  had 
to  retire,  for  its  deliberation,  out  of  doors,  under  a black-jack  tree, 
where  now  stands  the  calaboose,  whei’e  deputy  AT,  L.  Hammer  said 
he  attended  its  deliberations.  This  improvised  court-room  will  be 
remembered,  by  many  of  the  older  citizens,  as  Dr.  Chapman’s  office. 
The  old  landmark  has  given  place  to  a large  brick  building. 

The  officers  of  the  court  were  Hon.  Samuel  II.  Treat,  judge;  II. 
M.  Vandeveer,  clerk;  William  S.  Ricks,  Sheriff;*  David  P. 
Campbell,  states  attorney;  Benjamin  Williams,  coroner.  II.  M. 
Vandeveer  was  appointed  clerk  of  the  circuit  court  on  the  first  of 
June,  1839,  two  mouths  after  the  organization  of  the  county  ; Wm. 
S.  Ricks,  qualified  as  sheriff,  June  24th,  1839.  Benjamin  Wil- 
liams qualified  as  coroner,  August  6th,  1839.  The  oid_v  attorney  from 
abroad  attending  at  this  term  was  Hon.  Jas.  C.  Conkling,  of  Spring- 
field.  The  panel  of  grand  and  petit  jurors,  made  at  the  first  term 
of  the  county  court,  seemed  to  be  based  upon  an  assumed  census  of 
one  hundred  persons,  that  is,  single  men  and  heads  of  families. 
These,  with  the  county  officials  added,  compri.sed  nearly  all  the 
names  in  the  county,  excepting  only  some  half  d.jzen  whom  it  was 
the  intention  to  indict. 

THE  FIRST  VEXIUE  OF  GRAND  JURORS. 

John  Young,  foreman;  Berry  Rose,  Thomas  P.  Bond,  George  D. 
Pierson,  John  Alartin,  David  Cagle,  James  Weeden,  Thomas 
Young,  Robert  Richardson,  John  Finley,  Jacob  Wydick,  Ema- 
nuel J.  Leigh,  Allen  B.  Peabody,  Christopher  Ketcham,  Joshua 
Brents,  Alfred  Currie,  and  Louis  II.  Jernigan,  who  were  sworn  in 
pursuance  of  law,  and  charged  hy  States  Attorney  Campbell. 

THE  FIRST  PETIT  JURORS. 

'•  Ordered  that  the  following  persons  be  selected  to  serve  as  petit 
jurors  at  the  next  term  of  the  circuit  court  for  the  county  of 
Dane:  Henry  C.  Dickerson,  George  Oiler,  Oberton  AVilliams, 
Simeon  Brents,  AVilliam  Sheldon,  Ezekiel  S.  Young,  Robert  P. 
Langley,  AVesley  AVestbrook,  Henry  Judy,  Wm.  AVallis,  I.saac 
Richardson,  and  AViley  Blount. 

Thus  was  completed  the  organization  of  the  circuit  court.  At 
the  first  term  business  was  limited  ; a few  cases  were  compromised. 
The  first  on  the  docket  being  a suit  instituted  by  Smith  vs.  Dur- 
bin for  slander.  The  said  Durbin  charged  Smith  with  having 
drowned  a horse-thief  in  the  waters  of  Jfear  creek.  This,  with  a 
few  other  eases,  was  continued,  and  finally  dismissed  at  defendant’s 
cost.  The  second  ca.se  was  the  People  vs.  Thomas  E.  \ . Earri.s, 
indicted  by  the  grand  jury  for  sending  a challenge  to  Thomas  AV. 
Davis,  the  newly  elected  |)ro!)atc  judge,  to  fight  a duel  with  deadly 
weapons,  on  the  first  day  of  October,  1839.  The  following  is  a 
copy  of  the  original  challenge,  as  .sent,  verhufiin  ct  literatim: 

“ I)KAU  Silt:  1 take  this  niellicMl  of  fini:-liiiig  our  career.  T will  fjive  von 
the  cliance  of  a dewel.  I would  rather  light  inimley  than  to  do  any  other 
way.  1 will  give  yon  a shott  at  12  o’elock,  e.  m. 

“T.  A'.  K.  F.uuiis.” 

This  case  wtis  tried  at  the  fall  term  of  the  court,  1840.  The 
people  were  greatly  enlighlenetl  on  the  hiws  governing  the  code  of 
honor,  ami  by  the  di.'|)l:iy  of  leg.al  lore  and  eh)(|ucnec  of  counsel. 
The  verdict  of  the  jury  was  “ Not  Guilty.” 

* Amo«  Uirbnrtlson  ftii'l  Junw  - M.  ri»*b*!»or,  Pon'*taUf»,  wore  Inatlciiilance  at  lorm 
of  <iourt. 


Another  case  was  Peter  R.  Ketcham  vs.  Gabriel  MeKenzie — 
action  for  slander;  damages  laid  at  $2,000.  J.  C.  Conkling,  At- 
torney for  Plaintiff.  In  the  declaration,  it  was  alleged  that  the 
defendant  had  used  words  to  this  import : “ Old  Pete  Ketcham  is 

a d d old  hog  thief.”  This  trial  seemed  to  involve  the  whole 

county,  and  elicited  a great  deal  of  interest.  It  was  known  by 
many  as  the  Methodist  j)reacher  against  the  Roman  Catholic. 
Attorney  B S.  Edwards  conducted  the  defence.  The  jury  found 
for  the  plaintiff,  $47.08.  In  making  up  their  verdict,  the  jury 
seemed  to  have  entertained  a very  nice  estimate  of  a man’s  charac- 
ter, so  as  to  take  into  consideration  the  fractional  part  of  a dime. 
Juries  occasionally  returned  to  the  court-room  for  further  instruc- 
tions from  the  judge.  In  one  case,  the  jury  failing  to  agree  as  to 
the  facts  in  the  premises,  returned  for  instructions.  The  judge 
inquired  as  to  the  difficulty.  The  foreman  responded  with  appa- 
rent honesty  and  simplicity : “ AA^hy,  judge,  this  ’ere  is  the  difficulty : 
some  of  the  jury  want  to  know  whether  that  ar  what  you  told  us, 
when  we  first  went  out,  was  raley  the  law,  or  whether  it  was  only 
just  your  notion.”  The  judge  having  informed  the  jury  that  such 
was  the  law  in  the  premises,  a verdict  was  reached  accordingly. 
In  the  early  history  of  the  county  some  persons  entertained  crude 
notions  of  the  workings  of  justice.  In  a case  being  tried  before 
the  court,  when  the  jury,  on  retiring,  was  going  up  the  partially 
open  stairway,  in  the  old  court-house,  to  the  jury-room  for  delibe- 
ration, one  of  their  number  was  overheard  to  say  : ‘ Now  is  my 
chance  to  give  the  old  cuss  h — 1!”  In  the  case  of  Shumway,  adm’r 
of  Daniel  Aliller,  deceased,  vs-  John  Cheney,  Lincoln  and  A^ande- 
veer  appeared  for  the  plaintiff,  and  Judge  Robbins  of  Springfield 
for  the  defendant.  In  reply  to  a point  made,  the  latter  said:  “ Jf 
that  is  so,  1 11  agree  to  eat  this  desk.”  Lincoln  jocosely  replied  : 
“ AAYll,  judge,  if  you  do  eat  that  desk,  I hope  it  will  come  out  a 
bran  newly  manufactured  wagon !” 

As  the  county-seat  had  been  so  recently  located  in  the  wild  prai- 
rie, hotel  and  boanling-house  accommodations  were  limited.  At- 
torney C — , at  the  first  term  of  the  court,  had  to  go  into  the 

country  for  lodgings.  In  connection  with  this,  he  related  the  fol- 
lowing amusing' incident.  Not  wishing  to  be  left  out  to  the  mercy 
of  the  wolves,  he  gladly  accepted  an  invitation  from  one  of  the 
jurors  to  go  home  with  him,  and  partake  of  his  hospitality.  On 
reaching  the  cabin  of  his  friend,  he  found  a tidy,  nice  woman,  with 
everything  clean  and  neatly  arranged.  But  they  were  new  begin- 
ners, and  had  only  one  bed.  Plow  that  part  of  the  difficulty 
would  be  arranged  was  a problem  running  through  his  brain 
all  the  evening.  But  it  was  easily  solved.  'Phe  woman  slept  on 
one  side  of  the  bed,  he  on  the  other,  and  the  husband  in  the  middle. 

Hardly  had  the  last  “peg”  been  driven  in  the  location  of 
the  county  seat,  when  J;uncs  Harris  commenced  j)reparations  for 
the  erection  of  a two-story  frame  hotel — now  a part  of  the  Globe 
House,  on  the  north  side  of  the  Public  Square.  The  want  of  ac- 
commodations compelled  the  use  of  it  at  first  in  an  unfinished  con- 
dition. A ladder  was  used  to  reach  the  upper  story,  with  its  loose 
boards  for  a floor.  Its  accommodations  were  necessarily  limited. 
The  landlord  was  under  the  necessity  of  dividing  his  guests  into 
squads  or  divisions;  some  retiring  early,  only  to  be  aroused  to  give 
j)lace  to  another  division,  as  time  crowded  on  to  midnight.  About 
the  latter  hour  the  stentorian  voice  of  the  landlord  could  be  heard, 
calling  the  first  lotto  “get  up,”  and  give  place  to  others;  “that 
.Judge 'I’lH’at  ami  other  noted  lawyers  wished  to  turn  in.”  Judge 
I'ldwards,  of  Springfield,  relates  that  he  jircferrcd  the  luxury  of 
wrapping  himself  in  the  folds  of  his  cloak  and  taking  the  court- 
house floor  for  it,  where  he  could  have  the  whole  night  to  himself. 

In  the  days  of  the  early  courts,  Abraham  Lincoln  was  a regular 


HISTORY  OF  CHRISTIAN  COUNTY,  ILLINOIS. 


59 


attendant  on  the  courts  of  this  county,  and  occasionally  Stephen  A. 
Douglas.  A good  anecdote  is  related  of  them,  as  having  occurred 
in  this  circuit: — In  the  pioneer-times,  saloons  or  groceries,  as  they 
Avere  familiarly  called,  Avere  great  places  of  resort.  A large  per- 
centage of  those  coming  to  toAvn  Avould  Ausit  and  loaf  at  them, 
and  drink  in  the  gossip  retailed  at  such  places.  Tlien  the  grocery- 
keeper  was  looked  upon  as  one  of  the  especially  honored  members 
of  society.  It  is  said  that  Abraham  Lincoln  once  sold  liquor  at 
retail,  Avhen  he  first  came  to  Illinois.  Some  years  afterward,  Avhen 
Lincoln  and  Douglas  took  the  stump,  the  latter  alluded  to  the  for- 
mer’s calling  in  early  times.  But  Lincoln  retorted  by  saying 
“ that  Avhile  he  officiated  on  one  side  of  the  bar.  Judge  Douglas 
officiated  in  the  other  capacity  on  the  other  side.” 

Apropos  to  the  above  maybe  related  the  folloAving  incident: 
Many  years  ago  there  Avas  a noted  land  case  in  court  Avhich  at- 
tracted much  attention  at  the  time,  the  case  was  that  of  Vandeveer 
vs.  Whitecraft.  Lincoln  Avas  attorney  for  the  plaintiff,  and  able 
counsel  represented  the  defendant.  The  parties  to  the  suit  were 
prominent  citizens  of  the  county.  The  case  occupied  the  time  of 
the  court  for  most  of  the  term.  Never,  seemingly  did  Lincoln 
appear  to  better  advantage,  and  by  good  management  and  able 
argument  secured  a verdict  for  his  client.  The  last  day  the 
case  was  protraeted  into  the  evening.  There  Avere  poor  accom- 
modations for  light;  no  chandeliers  Avere  suspended  from  the 
ceiling,  or  kerosene  lamps  graced  the  grim  Avails  of  the  court  room  ; 
the  old-fashioned  “tallow  dip”  Avas  all  the  dependence.  Sheriff 

H furnished  tAvo  candles  without  even  a japanned  candlestick. 

One  Avas  fastened  to  the  Avail  back  of  the  judge’s  stand,  and  the 
other  handed  to  Attorney  Lincoln.  It  Avas  as  amusing  as  ridicu- 
lous to  see  the  great  advocate  holding  the  tallow  dip  in  one  hand 
and  the  law-book  in  the  other.  As  he  warmed  up  in  his  theme 
the  light  began  to  pale  and  the  candle  disappear,  in  a liquid  form, 
between  his  fingers,  greatly  to  the  amusement  of  the  Court  and  the 
assemblage. 

The  old  Court  house  stood  on  stone  pillars  some  two  feet  above 
the  ground,  and  as  the  spaces  between  the  pillars  Avere  not  boarded 
up,  it  Avas  a great  resort  for  hogs.  On  one  occasion,  Avhen  Lincoln 
Avas  arguing  a case  before  the  Court,  the  hogs  opened  up  a chorus, 
in  porcine  language,  greatly  annoying  the  celebrated  barrister, 
Avhen  he  suggested  to  the  Court  the  propriety  of  issuing  a Avrit  of 
quietus  to  the  Sheriff.  A traA'eling  correspondent  of  an  eastern 
journal,  related  the  folloAving  in  an  article  entitled,  “Our  tour 
through  Egypt :”  “ Being  Avater  bound  at  the  capital  of  Christian 
county,  Illinois,  Ave  Avhiled  aAvay  a portion  of  our  time  in  the 
Court-room.  The  Judge  Avas  holding  the  spring  term  of  the  Cir- 
cuit Court  in  Taylorville.  He  appeared  to  be  of  a nervous  tem- 
perament, and  mueh  disturbed  by  the  surroundings.  Putting  on  a 
little  judicial  dignity,  he  called  up  one  of  the  constables  and  informed 
him  that  the  Court  had  created  a iieAV  office  and  had  selected  him 
to  fill  the  responsible  station.  The  duties  are  onerous.  The  officer 
seemed  delighted  Avith  the  prospective  honor,  but  Avith  a bashful 
diffidence  stood  in  silence.  The  Court  directed  him  to  be  SAVorn, 
but  recollecting  that  he  Avas  already  a sAVoni  officer,  that  part  of 
the  ceremony  Avas  dispensed  Avith.  lie  Avas  then  directed  to  repair 
to  the  adjacent  timber,  cut  a half  dozen  batons,  raise  a posse, 
and  keep  the  frogs  besieging  this  toAvn,  silent  during  the  sessions 
of  this  Court  to  the  end  that  the  proceedings  thereof  may  not  be 
interrupted.  Silence  reigned  after  that  in  the  Court-room.” 

The  lawyers  Avho  rode  the  circuit  in  early  times  Avere  noted  for 
the  many  jokes  they  practiced  on  each  other.  A laughable  inci- 
dent occurred  at  the  hotel  in  TaylorAulle,  based  on  the  custom  of 
some  in  changing  their  linen  before  retiring  for  the  night.  Several 


of  the  hiAvycrs  on  this  circuit  had  just  arrived  from  Springfield 

and  “put  up”  at  Mr.  L ’s  tavern.  I\Ir.  C Avas  among  the 

number  and  noted  for  his  extreme  gentility;  his  custom  AAas  to 
shave  every  morning  and  j)ut  on  clean  linen.  He  carried  a night- 
shirt to  sleep  in.  The  State’s  Attorney  Avas  a great  Avag,  and  took 

especial  delight  in  playing  jokes  on  his  associates.  Mr.  L 

looked  on  his  tavern  as  second  to  none  in  the  West.  There  might 
be  better  tables  in  St.  Louis,  but  as  for  beds  his  could  not  be  ex- 
celled, even  by  the  great  Planters’  House,  for  he  himself  had  been 
there,  and  had  not  sat  doAvn  at  the  table  a minute  before  they 
presented  a bill,  and  an  impudent  Avaiter  asked  him  if  he  Avould 
have  tea  or  coffee ; and  Avhen  he  told  him  he  Avould  take  tea,  he 
asked  Avhat  kind  of  tea?  Says  he,  “ Store  tea,  to  be  sure.”  A sin- 
gle Avord  against  the  tavern,  table  or  beds  Avas  taken  by  the  land- 
lord as  a great  insult,  and  he  Avould  resent  it  Avithout  regard  to 

persons.  The  State’s  Attorney  kneAV  landlord  L Avell,  they 

being  old  acquaintances.  Taking  him  aside  he  said,  “Do  you  knoAV 

that  C is  speaking  disrespectfully  of  your  hedsf  Well,  if 

you  Avill  not  mention  my  name  I will  tell  you.”  “So  be  it,  Avhatdid 
he  say  ?”  “ Why  he  said  your  beds  Avere  so  dirty  that  he  had  to  take 
off  his  clean  shirt  and  put  on  a dirty  one  every  night  to  sleep  in.” 
“ Possible.  I’ll  Avatch  him  this  night.”  Bed-time  came.  LaAvyer 

C on  retiring  opened  his  portmanteau,  took  therefrom  his 

night  shirt,  and  Avas  in  the  act  of  taking  off  his  day-shirt  Avhen 

landlord  L , Avho  had  been  Avatching  his  movements  through  a 

crack  in  the  door,  opened  it  and  sprang  in  on  laAvyer  C like  a 

tiger.  Explanations  folloAved  Avhen  it  appeared  that  it  Avas  only 
one  of  the  State’s  Attorney’s  tricks. 

Second  Venire  of  Grand  Jurors,  June,  1840,  Avere,  James  LIcKin- 
ney,  foreman  ; Moses  Pearson,  Wm.  Sharp,  David  Stokes,  James 
Young,  Phil.  C.  Ferguson,  Fred.  Hammer,  Martin  Hanon,  James 
W.  Radford,  Ellington  Adams,  James  Funderburk,  John  Durbin, 
Thos.  Anderson,  George  VandeA'eer,  Peter  Wydick  and  Jacob 
Wydick. 

The  Second  Petit  Jurors  Avere  Josiah  Langley,  Lcau  W.  Goodan, 
Abram  Peters,  Henry  Blount,  Daniel  Miller,  Job  B.  Davis,  Joshua 
Brents,  Louis  II.  Jernigan,  James  R.  Lucas,  Isaac  Denton  and 
Thomas  Langley,  for  June  term,  1840. 

FIRST  NATURAI.IZATIOX. 

At  the  October  term  of  Court  A.  D.  1840,  Joseph  Bugg  made  his 
Avritten  application  to  be  naturalized,  filed  his  declaration  and 
took  the  oath  prescribed  by  hiAV,  in  open  Court,  Avhicli  Avas  ordered 
to  be  filed.  We  append  a copy  of  the  original  paper. 

“Joseph  Bugg,  an  alien  born,  presented  to  the  Court  his  report 
and  declaration  of  intention  to  become  a naturalized  citizen,  Avhich 
folloAVs  in  these  Avords  and  figures: 

To  the  Honorable  Samuel  H.  Treat,  Presiding  Judge  of  the  Circuit 

Court,  in  and  for  the  Cuuntg  of  Christian  and  State  of  Illinois. 

I,  Joseph  Bugg,  an  alien  born,  free  Avhite  person,  of  the  age  of 
thirty  years  and  upAvards,  do  hereby  in  conformity  Avith  the  first 
condition  specified  in  the  first  section  of  the  act  of  Congress  en- 
titled “An  act  to  establish  a uniform  rule  of  naturalization,  and 
to  repeal  the  acts  heretofore  passed  upon  that  subject  “ approved 
the  14th  day  of  April,  1802.  Declare  and  make  knoAvn  to  the 
said  Circuit  Court,  noAV  sitting  in  and  for  the  county  and  state 
aforesaid,  that  my  true  and  proper  name  is  Joseph  Bugg ; that  I 
Avas  born  in  the  toAvn  of  Leven,  in  the  county  of  Yorkshire,  and  in 
the  kingdom  of  England,  ou  the  tAvelfth  day  of  June,  A.  i).  1810; 
that  I am  about  thirty  years  of  age ; that  I belonged  to  the  English 
nation,  and  OAved  allegiance  to  the  King  of  England ; that  I migrated 


CO 


HISTORY  OF  CHRISTIAN  COUNTY,  ILLINOIS. 


from  the  port  of  Hull,  in  the  said  kingdom  of  England,  on  the  12th 
day  of  June,  A.  d.  1834,  and  landed  at  the  city  of  Buffalo,  in  the 
State  of  New  York,  in  the  United  States  of  America,  on  the  4th 
day  of  May  1835  ; that  I have,  ever  since  my  first  arrival,  remained 
within  the  limits  and  under  the  jurisdiction  of  the  said  United 
States,  and  that  it  is  bona-fide  my  intention  to  renounce  forever  all 
allegiance  aud  fidelity  to  every  foreign  prince,  potentate,  state  or 
sovereignty  whatever,  aud  more  particularly  such  allegiance  and 
fidelity  as  I may  in  any  way  owe  to  the  said  King  of  England, 
either  as  a citizen  or  a subject,  to  become  a citizen  of  the  United 
States,  aud  to  locate  myself  for  the  present  in  the  County  of  Chris- 
tian, and  State  of  Illinois.  Whereof,  I am  now  an  inhabitant;  that 
I do  not  now  enjoy  or  possess,  nor  am  I in  any  wise  entitled  to  any 
order  of  distinction  or  title  of  nobility,  by  virtue  of  the  laws,  cus- 
toms or  regulations  of  the  said  kingdom  of  England,  or  any  other 
country,  and  that  I am  sincerely  attached  to  the  principles  con- 
tained in  the  constitution  of  the  United  States,  aud  well  disposed  to 
the  good  order,  well  being  and  happiness  of  the  same,  and  desire 
that  this,  my  declaration  aud  report,  may  be  accepted,  filed  and 
recorded.  Preparatory  to  my  intended  application  to  be  admitted 
a naturalized  citizen  of  the  United  States,  iu  conformity  with  the 
several  acts  of  Congress  heretofore  passed  on  that  subject. 

JosEPii  Bugg. 

Subscribed  and  sworn  to  in  open  Court  this 
26th  day  of  October,  a.  d.  1840. 

Attest,  II.  IM.  Vandeveer,  Cleric. 


Below  are  given,  as  of  interest  to  all,  some  of  the  first  papers  on 
record  pertaining  to  divorces,  etc. 


FIRST  DIVORCE  CASE. 

November  Term,  1841. 

Jame.s  Siiarrock,  ^ 

vs.  ' Bill  for  Divorce. 

1\[.U:Y  AxX  SlIARltOCK.  ) 

This  day  came  the  parties,  and  the  defendant  files  her  answer  to 
the  complainant’s  bill,  denying  the  allegations  thereof,  and  there- 
upon came  a jury,  to  wit,  Samuel  Garvin,  John  P.  Fletcher,  James 
I’orter,  Horace  ^Morgan,  J'llijah  Furrows,  James  Baker,  John 
George,  AViley  Blount,  James  Hutcheu.s,  C.  F.  Leigh,  Joshua 
Brents,  James  llichanlson,  who  being  sworn  well  and  truly  to  try 
the  issue  joined  herein,  for  verdict  say:  “We  the  jury  find  the 
defendant  guilty  of  wilful  desertion  for  more  than  two  years  without 
reasonable  cause,  and  on  motion  of  the  defendant  a new  trial  is 
granted  and  the  cause  is  continued.” 

At  the  June  Term,  1842. 

M.\ry  Ann  Siiai:rock, 4 
vs.  1 

James  Sh.aruock, 

J lejendant. 

4’his  day  came  the  com|)lainant  by  lloundtrce,  her  attorney,  and 
(he  defendant  being  called  came  not  but  made  default,  and  proof 
.Hiitisfactory  to  the  Court  being  made  of  notice  of  the  pendency  of 
this  suit,  by  publication  thereof,  in  the  Illinois  State  Register,  as 
refiuircd  by  the  Statute  in  such  cases  made,  and  the  evidence  on 
the  part  of  the  complainant  licing  heard  ami  considered  by  the 
Court,  it  is  therefore  ordered,  a<ljmlgcd  and  decreed  by  the  Court 
that  the  marriage  contract  heretofore  existing  between  the  said 
.Mary  .\nn  Sharroek  and  .James  Sharrock  be  annulled,  di.ssolvcd, 
and  held  for  naught,  and  it  is  further  adjudged,  ordered  and  <lo- 
ereed,  that  the  cai’c  and  custody  of  the  child  of  the  said  Mary  and 
.James  bo  comndtted  to  the  .-aid  Marv. 


CRIME. 


4Ye  give  below  a brief  account  of  one  of  the  first  murder  caseo 
which  claimed  the  attention  of  the  Court  after  the  organization  of 
the  county.  Though  the  crime  was  a heinous  one  and  the  culprit 
deserving  of  death,  yet  as  is  too  frecpiently  the  case  he  escaped 
unpunished. 

The  most  atrocious  case  of  killing  which  ever  occurred  in  this 
county,  was  perpetrated  iu  the  winter  of  1854,  and  is  known  as  the 
AVestfall-PIinkle  murder.  The  murderer  and  his  victim  were  near 
neighbors,  living  in  Johnson  township,  and  about  six  miles  south  of 
Taylorville.  Jesse  Hinkle,  the  murdered  man,  was  a brother  of  the 
mother  of  William  Westfall,  the  man  who  slew  him.  Both  were 
known  as  fearless,  desperate  men,  and  although  relatives,  there  had 
long  existed  “ bad  blood  ” between  them,  which  developed  into  an 
open  quarrel  and  fight  upon  the  public  highway,  in  the  autumn  of 
1853.  Upon  this  occasion,  Hinkle  is  said  to  have  used  a pole  or 
club,  and  Westfall  came  out  of  the  encounter  badly  beaten.  In  the 
following  winter,  and  upon  the  morning  of  the  murder,  Westfall 
passed  Hinkle’s  house;  the  snow  lay  thick  upon  the  ground,  and 
the  latter  was  busily  engaged  making  a sled.  Westfall  accused  his 
uncle  of  killing  his  (Westfall’s)  dog,  and  wanted  to  know  if  he  in- 
tended paying  for  it,  adding  “if  not,  he  would  have  to  take  the  fate 
of  the  dog.”  Flinkle  with  strong  language  told  him  if  he  “ever 
paid  for  tlie  dog  it  would  be  when  the  law  compelled  him  to.”  At 
this  Westfall  went  home,  and  in  the  presence  of  his  wife  and  two 
sisters,  took  down  his  riffe,  loaded  it  with  powder  and  ball,  remark- 
ins:  in  their  hearins:  that  “ it  should  suck  the  blood  of  a scoundrel 
before  noon  ; ” he  then  leisurely  went  out,  and  walking  cautiously 
through  the  brush,  without,  however,  making  any  attempt  to  conceal 
his  tracks  in  the  snow,  arrived  within  a short  distance,  less  than  a 
hundred  yards,  of  where  Hinkle  was  still  working  upon  his  sled, 
placed  one  knee  upon  the  ground,  rested  his  rifle  upon  a convenient 
bush,  and  taking  deliberate  aim,  fired  ; his  victim  fell,  mortally 
wounded,  his  intestines  pierced  with  a ball,  and  died  in  great  agony 
after  lingering  about  thirty  hours.  Instead  of  attempting  to  escape 
as  soon  as  he  discovered  the  full  extent  of  his  deed,  "Westfall  im- 
mediately proceeded  to  Taylorville  to  consult  with  Judge  H.  M. 
Vandeveer,  who  had  upon  former  occasions  professionally  helped 
him  out  of  his  squabbles,  without  however  fully  stating  the  nature 
of  his  crime  to  his  lawyer;  he  was  odvised  by  him  to  absent  himself 
for  a time  until  the  first  excitement  had  subsided,  but  it  was 
characteristic  of  the  man  not  to  be  intimidated.  He  refused  to  leave, 
and  was  arrested.  He  had  an  examination  before  a Justice  of  the 
Peace  who  fully  committed  him  for  trial,  the  principal  witnesses 
airainsthim  beiim  his  own  near  relations — who  testified  to  the  above 
facts;  there  were  also  proofs  of  the  prints  in  the  snow.  His  lawyer 
succeeded  in  continuing  his  case  one  or  two  terms,  and  finally  ob- 
tained a change  of  venue  to  the  adjoining  county  of  Shelby. 

The  order  of  the  Court  reads  as  follows  : — 


May  Term  of  Court,  1854. 


“ THE  REOIM.E 

vs.  - Jadietment  for  murder. 

WII.I.IAM  WESTFAI.E.  ) 

And  now  at  this  day  came  the  people  by  the  States  Attorney,  and 
the  pri.soncr  having  liccn  furnished  with  a cojiy  of  the  Indictment, 
a list  of  the  .Jurors  and  witnesses,  and  the  prisoner  being  arraigned 
at  tlie  bar,  and  for  plea  saith  he  is  ‘ not  gnilty  ’ aud  thereupon  the 
jirisoner  files  his  petition  and  aJlidavit  for  a change  of  venue.  It  is 
therefore  considered  and  adjudged  by  the  Court,  that  a change  of 
venue  be  granted  in  this  cause  to  the  county  of  Shelliy,  and  that  the 
( 'lerk  of  this  (mu  rt  make  a complete  Iranscrijit  of  the  proceedings  had, 
make  known,  and  transmit  the  same  to  tlie  Clerk  oJ'  the  Circuit  Court 


r 


LHstMJ 

•f 


of  iWlMk 


HISTORY  OF  CHRISTIAN  COUNTY,  ILLINOIS. 


61 


of  Shelby  county,  togetlier  with  all  the  papers  appertaining  to  said 
cause.  Certified  under  his  hand  and  the  seal  of  this  court,  and,  it 
is  further  ordered  and  adjudged  l)y  the  Court,  that  the  recognizance 
of  the  witnesses  to  wit,  Daniel  Missenhammer,  Nancy  Missen hammer 
and  Elizabeth  Brannon  be  forfeited,  and  that  a Scire  Facias  issue 
thereon  returnable  to  the  next  term  of  this  Court.  And  thereupon 
came  Job  B.  Davis,  Joseph  Painter,  John  D.  A.  Bond,  William 
A.  Goodrich,  Dr.  E.  T.  Chapman,  John  Bowman,  Milton  Pike, 
John  Hinton,  John  Durbin,  W.  B.  Keller,  John  Goode,  Matthew 
Durbin  and  Joshua  Bowman,  witnesses  on  behalf  of  the  people, 
and  aeknowledged  themselves  to  owe  and  be  indebted  to  the  people 
of  the  State  of  Illinois,  in  the  sum  of  One  Hundred  dollars  each,  to  be 
levied  of  their  goods  and  chattels,  lands  and  tenements  respectively, 
void  however  on  this  condition,  that  they  shall  severally  be  and 
appear  before  the  Circuit  Court  of  Shelby  County,  on  the  first  day 
of  the  next  term  thereof,  to  be  holden  at  the  Court-house,  in  Shelby- 
ville,  on  the  first  Monday  in  the  month  of  October  next,  to  testify 
and  the  truth  to  say  in  a matter  of  an  indictment  for  murder,  pend- 
ing in  said  Court  against  William  Westfall,  and  abide  the  order  of 
the  Court  and  not  depart  without  leave.” 

The  evidence  was  so  conclusive  in  this  case  that  it  is  jiresumable 
he  would  have  received  there  the  just  punishment  of  his  crime,  but 
in  the  meantime,  w’ith  the  aid  of  a case  knife,  he  succeeded  in  cut- 
ting his  w'ay  out  of  the  Taylorville  Jail,  wherein  he  was  confined, 
and  escaping  to  the  brush,  search  was  made  for  him  in  vain  ; but 
it  has  since  become  known  that  he  was  secreted  not  far  from  the 
county  seat  for  a week  or  two  afterwards,  his  wife  stealthily  convey- 
ing to  him  the  means  of  existence;  he  ultimately  succeeded  in 
escaping  altogether  from  the  county,  since  which  time  he  has  never 
been  seen  or  heard  of  by  any  one. 

PROBATE  COURT. 

The  first  term  of  the  Probate  Court  w'as  held  in  Taylorville, 
December  2d,  1839;  Thomas  W.  Davis,  elected  at  the  first  election 
in  April,  1839,  presided  as  judge.  His  court  was  held  in  the  days 
when  simplicity  and  economy  prevailed.  No  sheriff  was  in  attend- 
ance to  answer  his  commands  ; no  clerk  to  note  his  mandates  ; and 
even  his  fire,  if  it  needed  attention,  he  had  only  to  descend  from 
the  judicial  tribunal  and  replenish  it  with  wood. 

The  first  business  presented  for  the  court’s  consideration  was  the 
estate  of  Aaron  McKenzie,  deceased,  late  of  township  13 — 1 east.* 
He  died  November  3d,  1839.  Samuel  McKenzie,  his  brother,  was 
appointed  administrator.  The  deceased,  it  will  be  remembered, 
Avas  one  of  the  active  participants  in  the  formation  of  the  county, 
but  did  not  live  long  to  enjoy  his  new  civil  relation.  Judge  Davis’ 
term  of  office  extended  over  a period  of  four  years,  during  which 
time  twelve  cases  came  before  him  for  probate  adjustment.  This 
does  not  exhibit  a very  great  degree  of  mortality  for  the  new  coun- 
ty. Judge  Davis’  residence  was  in  the  northern  part  of  the  county. 
William  S.  Frink  was  elected  as  his  successor  in  August,  1843,  and 
held  the  office  for  a term  of  four  years.  The  terms  of  his  court 
were  held  on  the  first  Monday  of  each  month,  at  which  time  the 
“ Sage  of  Allenton  ” could  be  seen  entering  the  town  with  a basket 
on  his  arm  containing  the  archives  of  the  Probate  office.  The 
judge  received  no  per  diem  allowance  for  his  time  while  on  the 
bench.  The  small  salary  received  was  from  fees  for  recording  and 
filing  papers,  amounting  to  about  $250  per  annum, — and  this  mostly 
chargeable  to  the  estates.  The  avenues  to  the  county  treasury  Avere 
closed  to  the  recipients  of  this  office,  and  remained  so  until  after 
the  adoption  of  the  state  constitution  of  1848;  then  a more  expen- 
siv'C  system  was  entered  upon,  and  the  tax-jiayers  Avere  called  upon 

*Now  a part  of  Prairicton  township. 


to  support  it  from  the  county  trea.sury,  the  fees  of  the  former  .sys- 
tem being  diverted  from  the  pocket  of  the  judge  to  that  of  the 
county  clerk.  There  Avas  a per  diem  alloAved  to  the  judge,  clerk, 
and  sheriff.  As  a further  evidence  of  the  parsimonious  spirit  prac- 
ticed in  those  early  days,  Calvin  Goudy,  Avho  Avas  elected  probate 
justice  in  1847,  not  liking  the  “ basket  arrangement”  for  keeping 
the  jAapers  of  the  office,  procured  a pine  box  and  had  it  con- 
verted into  a desk,  Avith  pigeon  holes  and  shutters,  costing  some  six 
dollars.  It  Avas  Avith  extreme  difficulty  that  the  county  court  Avere 
induced  to  grant  an  order  to  pay  for  the  same.  It  is  still  in  the 
court-house,  and  serA^es  as  a souvenir  of  the  economy  practiced  at 
that  day.  (The  succeeding  judges  are  given  in  the  list  of  county 
officers  on  another  page.) 


COUNTY  BUILDINGS. 


THE  FIRST  COURT  HOUSE. 


I 


At  the  June  term  of  the  Commissioners’ Court,  in  1839,  it  Avas 
already  found  necessary  for  the  proper  transaction  of  official  busi- 
ness, that  some  suitable  building  be  erected,  as  the  rooms  then  rented 
for  the  purpose  Avere  very  inconvenient.  The  court,  therefore, 
ordered  a court-house  to  be  erected.  The  contract  to  be  made  Avith 
the  lowest  bidder.  The  contractor  being  required  to  give  bonds,  Avith 
satisfactory  security  that  the  structure  and  Avorkmanship  should  be 
faithfully  executed.  The  only  apparent  stipulation  made  at  this 
time,  with  regard  to  details,  Avas  that  the  building  should  be  thirty- 
six  feet  long  by  thirty-two  feet  Avide,  and  tAventy-one  feet  high  ; 
subsequently  a contract  Avas  made  Avith  Me.ssrs.  Elgan  and  East- 
ham,  Avhich  read  as  folloAVs: 

“ We,  the  undersigned,  Jesse  Elgan,  of  Dane  county,  and  Mar- 
velous Eastham  of  Sangamon  county,  both  of  the  State  of  Illinois, 
doth  agree  Avith  the  county  court  of  Dane  county,  and  the  succes- 
sors in  office  of  said  county,  to  build  a court-house  of  such  materials 
according  to  draft-Jaid  in,  and  in  a Avorkmanlike  manner  herein 
described.” 

“ The  sills  to  be  eight  by  ten  inches  square,  the  posts  to  be  ten 
inches  square;  all  the  frame  to  be  of  good  sound  Avhite  oak  lum- 
ber, the  Aveather-boarding  to  be  of  Avalnut  timber,  and  dressed 
Avith  solid  cornice  or  eave  trough,  according  to  draft  laid  in,  Avith  a 
shingle  roof,  Avith  AvindoAA's  and  doors  according  to  draft;  Avith 
Venetian  blinds,  also  doors  according  to  draft,  Avith  painel  shutters. 
With  plank  partition  running  through  said  house,  according  to 
draft  laid  in.  The  body  of  the  house  to  have  tAvo  coats  of  Avhite 
paint ; the  doors  and  AvindoAvs  to  be  painted  green.  The  doors  and 
AvindoAvs  to  be  hung  in  good  Avorkmanlike  manner,  Avith  locks  for 
the  doors,  and  bolts  for  the  windoAvs,  to  be  moulded  on  the  inside. 
The  lower  floor  to  be  laid  rough,  Avith  a square  joint.  The  upper 
floor  to  be  tongued  and  grooved.  The  house  to  be  ceiled  inside 
throughout,  of  good  material.  House  to  sit  on  tAvelve  pillars  of 
stone,  to  be  let  in  the  ground  eighteen  inches,  and  raised  above  the 
ground  18  inches.  Tho  second  floor  to  be  supported  from  the 
loAver  floor  by  turned  columns,  according  to  draft.  We  bind  our- 
selves to  build  said  house  for  tAventy-three  hundred  and  fifty  dol- 
lars, by  the  said  commissioners  paying  said  undertakers  one  thou- 
sand dollars  by  the  10th  day  of  September  next,  and  one-half  of 
the  rest  Avhen  the  house  is  half  finished,  and  the  balance  Avhen  the 
house  is  completed.  We  jointly  undertake  this  house  aifd  agree 
to  complete  the  building  in  sixteen  months;  as  there  is  a great  deal 
of  thick  lumber  to  be  seasoned,  Ave  think  it  can’t  be  done  in  a 
shorter  time.  Given  under  our  hands  and  seals  August  12th, 
1839.” 


Jesse  Elgan. 
Marvelous  Eastham 


62 


HISTORY  OF  CHRISTIAN  COUNTY,  ILLINOIS. 


In  September  of  the  same  year  the  contractors  gave  bond  for 
three  thousand  dollars  to  build  and  erect  a court-house  on  the 
public  square,  at  Taylorville,  according  to  the  foregoing  plans  and 
specifications. 

The  first  installment  due  the  contractors  was  paid  in  promissory 
notes,  colleeted  at  the  order  of  court,  by  the  treasurer,  from  the 
proprietors  of  the  town  of  Taylorville.  In  September  of  the 
following  year  (1840)  the  court-house  building  was  completed  and 
received  by  the  County  Commissioners,  and  certified  to  be  in  accord- 
ance with  the  wording  of  the  contract ; the  funds  in  the  treasury, 
however,  would  not  permit  of  a full  settlement  with  the  contraetors  ; 
the  court  therefore  ordered  that  Jesse  Elgan  be  allowed  twelve  per 
cent,  interest  upon  thirteen  hundred  and  twenty  dollars  from  date 
until  paid. 

At  the  March  term  of  court,  1841,  “■  It  was  this  day  ordered  by 
the  court  that  Wm.  S.  Ricks  and  Jesse  Elgan  be  and  they  are  here- 
by appointed  commissioners  or  agents,  on  behalf  of  Christian  coun- 
ty, to  inquire  and  ascertain  on  what  terms  a loan  of  a sum  of  money 
can  be  negotiated  sufficient  to  liquidate  the  debt  of  this  county,  in- 
curred for  the  building  of  a new  court-house  in  said  county,  and 
report  the  result  of  their  iiKjuiries  in  the  premises  to  this  court  on 
the  first  Monday  in  April.”  Upon  the  first  Monday  in  April  the 
two  commissioners  so  appointed  appeared  before  the  commissioners’ 
court  and  stated,  in  answer  to  the  question,  “ that  they  had  not  yet 
ascertained  that  a loan  of  money,  in  favor  of  the  county,  could  be 
negotiated  upon  any  terms,  whereupon  they  were  dismissed  from 
further  inquiries  upon  the  subject.” 

THE  PUESENT  COURT. 

At  the  January  term  of  court,  1854,  the  letting  of  a contract  for 
the  erection  of  a new  court-house  building  w’as  taken  into  cmisidera- 
tion,  and  on  the  8d  of  February  of  the  same  year  the  county  made 
an  agreement  with  James  Overholt  and  David  F.  Squier  to  build 
upon  the  site  of  the  old  building  in  the  centre  of  the  public 
square,  at  Taylorville.  The  new  structure  was  to  be  built  of  brick, 
and  cost  fifteen  thousand  dollars,  and  to  be  completed  and  delivered 
to  the  county  by  the  1st  day  of  December,  1855.  Specifications  were 
drawn,  duly  signed  and  l)onds  given  by  the  contractors  for  car- 
rying out  the  work  in  a proper  manner. 

In  the  meantime  the  old  building  was  advertised  for  sale  by  no- 
tices placed  in  four  of  the  most  public  places  in  the  county,  and 
wa.s  sold  by  public  auction  upon  the  24th  of  June,  1854,  II.  M. 
Vandeveer  becoming  the  purchaser  for  the  sum  of  $27G,  the  said 
sale  being  aj)proved  by  the  court. 

The  original  agreement  for  the  new  building,  however,  fell 
through ; it  was  found  that  the  contractors  were  not  carry- 
ing out  the  work  in  accordance  with  the  specifications;  they 
were  prevented  from  proceeding  with  it,  and  brought  action 
against  tlie  county  for  amount  expended  and  damages.  The  case 
wa.s  tried  at  Decatur,  Macon  County,  and  decided  in  favor  of  the 
Cf)utractor.s.  It  was  at  once  appealed  to  the  Supreme  Court  of  the 
state,  who  sustained  the  verdict  of  the  lower  court. 

On  the  18th  .January,  185(5,  the  County  entered  into  a second 
contract  for  tlic  completion  of  the  building,  this  time  with  J.  Den- 
nis and  .Tohn  C.  Ream,  of  Springfield,  Illinois,  wlio  undertook  to 
complete  the  work  l>y  the  1st  of  December,  185(1,  for  the  sum  of 
tldrteen  thou.sand,  five  hundred  and  twenty-six  dollars.  The  pre- 
sent sub.'-tantial  edifice  is  the  result. 

THE  I inST  .TAIE. 

Tlie  first  jail  erecteil  in  'I'aylorville  was  a log  building,  con- 
structed by  .lames  C.  Morri.son,  and  located  about  one  block  south- 
east of  the  I’ldtlic  .‘Square;  it  took  a little  over  four  months  in  its 


construction.  The  following  is  a description  of  the  building,  taken 
from  a record  of  the  proceedings  of  the  Commissioners’  Court  at 
that  time : 

April  ith,  1846.  “•  Ordered  that  a contract  be  made  on  Monday 
the  first  day  of  .Tune  next,  to  erect  a jail  in  this  County,  and  the 
Clerk  of  the  Court  is  hereby  required  to  advertise  in  the  State 
Regider  on  the  following  plans,  to  wit  : 

Sealed  proposals  will  be  received  addressed  to  the  Clerk  of  the 
County  Commissioners’  Court,  of  Christian  County  (postage  paid), 
until  12  o’clock  noon,  on  Monday,  the  first  day  of  June  next,  to 
erect  a Jail  on  the  following  plan,  to  wit : 

The  house  to  be  twenty  feet  long  and  sixteen  feet  wide,  two 
stories  high,  with  two  rooms  on  the  first  floor  and  one  on  the 
second,  to  be  seven  feet  high  each  ; the  lower  wall  to  be  made  of 
hewn  timbers  ten  iuehes  thick,  and  the  walls  to  be  built  eight 
inches  apart,  and  the  spaces  between  the  walls  to  be  filled  with 
timber  eight  inches  thick,  set  on  end  loosely,  to  be  placed  on  a wall 
of  stone  eighteen  inches  high  and  thirty  inches  wide,  the  wall  to  be 
let  in  the  ground  one  foot ; the  second  story  to  be  two  walls  of 
hewn  timber,  each  ten  inches  thick  and  closely  laid  ; the  floors  on 
the  first  story  to  be  laid  with  timbers  ten  inches  thick,  and  on  the 
second  story  with  timbers  eight  inches  thick,  and  on  the  timbers, 
plank  one  inch  thick,  jointed  and  well  laid  down,  and  over  the, 
second  story  tind)ers  eight  inches  thick,  closely  placed  together, 
with  a substantial  roof,  the  timbers  to  be  firm,  white  or  burr-cak. 
There  shall  be  two  doors  to  the  lower  story  and  one  to  the  second. 
The  shutters  will  be  made  of  inch  plank,  three  double,  and  lined 
with  sheet  iron,  strongly  riveted  on  the  inside,  and  filled  with  nails 
half  an  inch  apart  on  the  outside,  to  be  hung  on  strong  iron  hinge.s, 
one  window  in  each  room  on  the  first  floor,  twelve  by  eighteen 
inches  in  size,  with  grates  made  of  iron  bars  one  inch  square,  and 
placed  one  inch  apart  in  a strong  frame,  strongly  confined  to 
the  timbers,  with  iron  bolts.  There  will  be  two  windows  in  the 
second  story  twenty-four  by  thirty-six  inches  in  size,  with  grates 
made  of  iron  bars,  one  inch  square,  placed  four  inches  apart  in  a 
strong  iron  frame,  and  strongly  confined  to  the  limbers  with  iron 
bolts.  The  partition  walls  will  be  hewn  timbers  ten  inches  thick, 
and  extend  through  the  middle  wall.” 

Subsequently  Daniel  IMiller  was  instructed  to  ascertain  what 
kind  of  locks  were  used  in  the  jails  of  the  adjoining  counties,  and 
authorized  to  contract  for  the  same,  and  projwrly  affix  tliem  to  the 
jail  building.  A platform  was  afterwards  added  to  the  door  in  the 
upper  story,  with  steps  leading  to  it. 

JAIE  NO.  2. 

The  present  County  Jail  is  a substantial  two-story  brick  building, 
and  situated  a short  distance  west  of  the  j^nblic  square,  Taylorville. 
In  June,  1870,  the  County,  through  its  officers,  made  a contract 
with  Messrs.  Dennis  A Ream,  the  builders  of  the  present  Court- 
house, for  a sum  of  five  thousand  three  hundred  and  sixty  dollars, 
to  erect  the  building,  specifications  for  the  same  being  duly  drawn 
and  approved.  The  jail  contains  ten  cells,  each  of  which  will 
comfortably  hold  two  pri.soners,  and  the  hallway,  which  is  seven 
feet  wide,  could  be  made  to  accommodate  as  many  more  in  a case 
of  necessity.  There  is  altogether  ample  room  for  forty  or  fifty  pris- 
oners. 

POOR  FARM. 

Until  the  year  1870  the  poor  of  the  County  wore  hoiuscd  and  fed 
by  imollicial  autliorities,  who  were  reimbursed  by  order  of  the 
County  Court  or  Board  of  Supcrvi.sors,  from  the  i)ublic  treasury. 
At  a meeting  of  the  Board  of  Supervisors  held  at  the  Court  house 
in  December,  186!),  they  ajjpointed  a committee  consisting  of  James 


HISTORY  OF  CHRISTIAN  COUNTY,  ILLINOIS. 


G3 


II.  Ilil],  Jolin  W.  Hunter  and  M.  P.  Simpson,  for  the  purpose  of 
having  a draft  drawn  for  the  poor-house,  to  be  submitted  to  the 
Board  at  their  next  meeting.  In  the  meantime  they  were  instructed 
to  rent  a house  if  practicable,  and  hire  a man  to  take  charge  of  the 
same,  for  the  relief  of  jjaupers. 

At  a special  session  of  the  Board  held  in  June,  1870,  the  com- 
mittee appointed  reported  that  “ in  February  last  and  on  the  day 
appointed  received  and  opened  8 bids,  the  highest  bid  $4,545,  the 
lowest  $3,534,  which  was  awarded  to  one  Levi  Hall,  on  his  giving 
bond  and  security  to  complete  said  building  by  the  15th  June, 
1870,  which  he  has  failed  to  do.” 

In  the  meantime,  January  1st,  1870,  the  County  had  purchased 
IGO  acres  of  land  for  a poor  farm  at  a cost  of  $6400,  situated  in 
the  north-west  quarter  of  section  3,  town-ship  11,  range  1,  west, 
(Rosemond  township),  and  at  the  above  special  term,  June,  1879, 
“ On  motion  the  Chair  appointed  Messrs.  Birce,  Porter  and  Morri- 
son a committee  to  confer  with  Levi  Hall  in  regard  to  building 
poor-house,  who  reported  as  follows : 

“ We,  your  special  Committee,  to  whom  was  referred  the  matter  in 
relation  to  the  contract  with  Levi  Hall  for  the  building  of  a farm- 
house on  the  Poor  Farm,  would  respectfully  report  that  the  con- 
tractor through  wilful  neglect  or  by  an  inaccurate  ignorance  of  the 
condition  of  his  undertaking,  and  an  unwarranted  expectation  of  a 
pre-issue  of  bonds  to  enable  him  to  perform  the  same,  has  failed  to 
comply  with  the  conditions  of  his  bond,  and  has  thereby  forfeited 
the  same.”  The  committee  however  recommended  the  Board  to 
permit  Levi  Halt  to  finish  the  building  upon  his  entering  into  a 
bond  to  do  so  within  sixty  days,  with  the  former  sureties. 

In  September,  1870,  the  committee  made  the  following  report: 
“ That  we  have  received  the  building  of  the  I’oor  Farm  and  settled 
with  the  contractor,  Mr.  Hall,  and  bad  the  bonds  issued  to  him  for 
the  same,  also,  that  the  house  is  ready  for  the  County  poor.”  Sub- 
sequently a substantia!  barn  has  been  added  at  a cost  of  $900,  and 
in  1871  an  addition  fur  the  refractory  inmates  of  the  house,  costing 
$530.  The  Poor-house  is  a large  two  story  frame  building,  and  its 
])resent  able  Superintendent  or  Warden,  as  he  is  called,  succeeds  in 
making  a profit  out  of  the  farm,  for  the  County,  beyond  the  cost 
of  keeping  its  unfortunate  occupants.  There  have  been  three  differ- 
ent superintendents  since  the  erection  of  the  poor-house.  The  first 
to  whom  the  contract  was  given  was  Thomas  P.  Wilkins,  in  1870. 
who  received  $900  per  year.  The  amount  received  by  Mr.  Murray 
for  the  same  in  1874  was  $650.  Mr.  Wilson  received  the  contract 
in  1877.  The  house  will  conveniently  shelter  forty  or  fifty  inmates. 

The  growth  of  the  county  in  wealth  can  in  no  way  be  so  clear’y 
exhibited  as  by  giving  the  assessment  rolls  at  different  periods. 
We  select  three,  which  are  here  appended,  viz.  those  of  1847,  1856, 
and  1879. 

‘ TAXES  IN  1847. 

In  1847  the  total  amount  of  taxes  paid  in  the  county  was  as 
follows : 

Total  value  of  Land $4,847  43 

“ “ Personal  Property 405  98 

Land  and  Personal  Property 5,253  41 

Total  State  Tax 1,943  76 

“ County  Tax $105  07  1,838  69 


Whole  Revenue $3,782  45 


ASSESSMENT  OF  CHRISTIAN  COUNTY — 18-56  — SHOWING  TOTALS. 


Horses 

Neat  Cattle 

Mules  and  Asses.. 

Sheep.. 

Hogs.... 

Carriages  and  Wagons.. 

Clocks  and  W'atches 

Goods  and  Merchandise... 

Manufactured  Article 

Moneys  and  Credits 

nond.s.  Stocks,  &c.,  Terre  Haute  & Alton  R.  R.. 
Unenumerated  Property 

Aggregate 

Deduction 


NUMBER. 

3,013 

7,894 

315 

6,738 

17,593 

992 

089 


VALUE. 

8148,773 

104,242 

20,.520 

8,005 

31,909 

4-2,196 

5,332 

31,3-25 

7,730 

112.785 

712.785 
19,945 

$007,670 

27,992 


Total  value  of  Lands  and  Tow  n Lots 

Total  value  of  Real  and  Personal  Property 


Total,  $579,078 
, 1,372,230 
95,539 

$1,407,775 


$2,047,453 


State  Tax  at  47  cts.  on  the  .$100 $9  0-23  03 

State  Tax  for  Schools — 20  ets.  on  the  floo 4,094  91 

Total  State  Tax 813,717  94 


County  Tax  at  40  cts.  on  the  $100 


8,189  81 


Total  Tax  Levied.... 


$21,907  75 


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Greenwood 

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IIlSrORY  OF  CHRISTIAN  COUNTY,  ILLINOIS. 


TOTAL  VALUE  OF  PEESOXAL  PROPEKTY — 1879. 


Assumption 

King 

837,763 

Pan  a 

$271,696 

Mosquito 

Rosemond 

Locust 

Prairieton 

Greenwood 

08,177 

Tiiylorville 

South  Fork 

4n  721 

May 

00  977 

Bear  Creek 

Ricks 

Buckhart 

Johnson  

I 8 520 

Total 

AGRICULTURAL  STATISTICS  FOR  CHRISTIAN  COUNTY  FOR  THE  YEAR  1879. 
PAItM  fllODUCTS.  Etc. 


Acres  1879.  Bus.  1879. 


Corn 

,...  137,207  1 4,3,570,128 
» 10^  ’ ' 

Wheat. 

Winter  Wheat 

28  770 

377,950 

Spring  Wheat 

585 

0,093 

Oats 

663,203 

Apple  Orchard 

3,645_lg6^ 

148,235 

Peach  Ori'hard 

224 

6,123 

Pear  Orchard 

2V, 

140 

NO-  GALLS. 

Vineyards 

20% 

480 

Kfeadow. 

NO.  TONS 

Timothy  Meadow..., 

28,545 

35,2401.^ 

Clover  Meadow 

209 

290 

Prairie  Meadow 



1,170 

Hungarian  & Millet 

56 

NO.  BVSHELS. 

Rye 

3,0947% 

Barley 

2,524 

Buckwheat 

291% 

3,499 

Beans 



107 

Peas 

3'A 

240 

Irish  Potatoes 

04,441 

Sweet  Pota  oes 



1,3.3 

Field 

Profluet^. 

1 

Acres  1879. 

NO.  POUNDS. 

Tobacco 

6Vs 

3,170 

Broom  Corn 

10,870 

Flax  (Fibre) 

024% 

38,900 

NO.  GALLS.  ! 

Sorgo 

248% 

20,007 

VALU*  OF 
CHOI'S. 


Turnips  & other  Root  Crops  47% 

83,144 

Other  Fruits  and  Berries 

42A^ 

1,115 

Other  Crops  not  named 

above 

101% 

262 

Pasture 

57,932% 

Woodland 

23,221% 

Uncultivated  Land 

51,4'24% 

Area  City  and  Town 

Real  Estate  (not  in- 

eluded  above) 

33 

Do.  do.  not  .aseer- 

tained 

78 

Total  No.  of  Acres  in  Co. 

under  cultivation....  355,8401-^ 


EIFE  STOCIC,  Etc. 

Sherp. 


Hogs. 


(iuANT.TV  OR  Value. 


Quantity  or  Value. 


No.  Sheep  killed  by  dogs 137 

Tol.al  Val.  Sheep  killed  by  dogs  S417 

Number  Pounds  Wool  Shorn 34,201 

Number  Fat  Sheep  Sold 936 

Total  Gross  Weight  Fat  Sheep 

Sold  90,419 


Dairy. 


Number  Fat  Hogs  Sold 34,928 

Total  Gross  Weight  Fat  Hogs 

Sold - 7,797,811 

Number  Hogs  and  Pigs  died  of 

Cholera 23,564 

Total  Gross  Weight  of  Swine 
died  of  Cholera 1,652,291 


Cows— Number  Kept 4,210 

Pounds  Butter  Sold 110485 

Pounds  Cheese  Sold 8,3.35 

Gallons  Milk  Sold 2e,9(0 

Catl  Ic. 

Number  Fat  Cattle  Sold  7,224 

Total  Gross  Weight  Fat  Cattle 
Sold 8,230,320 


Crop®,  Etc. 

Number  Bushels  Timothy  Seed 

Produced 2,044 

Number  Bushels  Flax  Seed 

Produced 8,711 

Number  Pounds  Grapes  Pro- 
duced  10,030 


GRAND  SUMMARY  OF  PERSONAL  PROPERTY  — 1879. 


ITEMS. 

Number. 

Av.  Total. 

Asp.  Valuk. 

Horses  of  all  ages 

11,.54U 

$24.07 

8284,782 

Cattle  of  all  ages 

22,750 

10  91 

248,324 

Mules  and  Asses  of  all  ages 

2,898 

29.02 

84,(K)5 

Sheep  of  all  ages 

7.843 

1.19 

9,363 

Hogs  of  all  ages 

40,744 

1.49 

60,683 

Steam  Engines,  including  Boilers 

32 

3-20.10 

10,135 

Fire  or  Burglar  Proof  Safes 

07 

63.40 

3,008 

Billiard,  Pigeon  Hole,  Bagatelle,  or  other  similar 

Tables 

33 

41.07 

1 ,375 

Carriages  and  Wagons  of  whatever  kind 

4,294 

14  40 

61,844 

Watches  an<l  Clocks 

38.10 

2.6.') 

10,105 

Sewing  and  Knitting  Machines 

2,119 

9.37 

It), 862 

Piano  Fortes 

141 

67.r)9 

8,120 

Melodeons  ami  Organs. 

290 

20.57 

7,805 

Patent  Rights 

2 

15.')0 

31 

152,033 

.Material  and  .Maniifactnrcd  Articles  on  Imml 

2,095 

Manufacturers’ Tools,  Implement*  anil  Machinery  (other  than 

Engines 

and  Boilers  which  are  to  he  listed  as  such) 

7,800 

Agricultural  Tools,  Implements  and  Machinery 

C2,:i'0 

Gold  and  Silver  Plate  and  Plated  Ware 

616 

Diamonds  ami  Jewelry 

37 

Moneys  of  Bunk,  Bankc*.  Broker  or  .Slock  Jobber 

4.5,177 

15.100 

Moneys  of  oilier  than  Bank,  Banker,  Broker  or  Stock  Jolitier 

118.925 

Credits  of  other  than  Bank,  Banker,  Broker  or  Stock  Jobber 

• 

350 

Properly  of  Companies  and  Corporations  other  than 

hereinbefore  emi- 

30 

Property  of  Saloons  and  Eating  Houses 4.30 

Household  or  Ottice  Furniture  and  Property 102,012 

Investments  in  Real  Estate  and  Improvements  thereon  (see  sec.  10) 0,740 

All  other  personal  property  required  to  be  listed 39,80J 


Total  value  of  Personal  Property 

L.ANDS.  No.  Acres.  Av.  Value. 

Improved  Lands 39.1,940 V 5^  $14.01 

Unimproved  Lands 5L387A  5 c.33 

’ itni 


81,445,920 
Ass.  Value. 
$5,548,110 
325,159 


Total  Value  of  Lands 

TOWN  AND  CITY  LOTS.  No.  Lots.  Av.  Value. 

Improved  Town  and  City  Lots 3.003  $212.61 

Unimproved  Town  and  City  Lots 2,519  25.74 


$5,873,275 
Ass.  Value. 
$910,182 
04  847 


Total  Value  of  Town  and  City  Lots. 


$975,029 


PROPERTY  BELONGING  TO  RAILROADS.  Assessed  Value. 

Lands  other  than  “ Raihoad  Track  ” $40,425 

Lots  other  than  “ Railroad  Track  ” 3,390 

Personal  Property  other  than  “Rolling  Stock” 15,132 


Total  Value  of  all  Property  as  Assessed. 


5.3,953 


Grand  Tot.al, 


88,353,183 


A STATEMENT  OF  THE  FINANCIAL  AFFAIRS  OF  THE  COUNTY  ON  THE 


25th  of  march,  1880. 

INDEBTEDNESS. 

Orders  outstanding,  including  amount  in  Treasurer’s  hands  not  canceled $0,070  47 

July  certificates  and  foreign  witness  certificates  not  canceled 1,257  00 

Coupons  due  and  not  paid 400  00 

Total  flo.ating  debt $8,328  07 

County  bonds  in  aid  of  P.  & S.  R.  R 20,000  00 

County  bonds  in  aid  of  D.  & E.  St.  R.  R 100,000  00 

Total  indebtedness $128,328  07 

ASSETS. 

Cash  on  hand  to  pay  coupons $400,000 

Cash  in  Treasury 5,7-20  08 

County  revenue  now  being  collected 20.355  5.3 

Eighty  acres  of  land  in  the  county— probable  value 200  00 

Two  hundred  acres  of  land  in  Fayette  county,  probable  value 050  00 


Total  assets, 


$■27,325  01 


A"  LIST  OF  PERSON.S  WHO  HAVE  REPRESENTF.D  THE  COUNTY  OF  CHRISTIAN 
(and  OTHER  COUNTIES  DISTRICTED  THEREWITH)  SINCE  ITS  ORGANIZA- 
TION IN  1839  TO  THE  PRESENT  TIME  IN  THE  HOUSE  OF  REPRESENTA- 
TIVES OF  THE  STATE  OF  ILLINOIS.* 


Names. 

Date. 

Counties. 

Names. 

Date. 

Counties. 

Martin  White 

1810  & 1811 

Logan  and 
Christian. 

E.  M.  Gilmore 

1809 

Montgomery 
& Chi  istian. 

H.  M.  Christian 

1842  & 1843 

Cliristian. 

Wm.  B.  Hundley 

1871 

(i 

Wm  S.  Ricks 

1844  & 1845 

Thos.  Findley 

1871 

Doriee  D.  Sliumway 

1847 

James  M.  Berry 

1871 

Edward  Evey 

1849 

Shelby  and 

James  M Truitt.... 

1873 

Antliony  Thornton.. 

1851 

Ch:  istian. 

Hiram  P.  Shumway 

1873 

Samuel  W.  Moulton 

1853 

“ 

Elias  J.  C.  Alexander 

1873 

Henry  Richmond... 

1855  Montgomery 

Levi  Scott 

3875 

u 

& Clu'istian. 

Wm.  F.  Miilkey 

1875 

(( 

Henry  Richmond  ... 

18.55 

“ 

John  S.  Hagler 

1875 

(t 

Calvin  Gondy 

1857 

Wm.  E.  Morrison... 

1877 

u 

James  M.  Davis 

1859 

“ 

David  H.  Zepp 

1877 

(( 

H.  M.  Vandeveer 

1801 

Pliilip  Burrell 

1877 

(4 

Gustavus  F.  Cotlin.. 

1803 

Wm.  Y.  Crostliwait.. 

1879 

** 

Elisha  E Barrett.... 

1805 

“ 

John  B.  Jones 

1879 

John  B.  Ricks 

1807 

“ 

George  L.  Zink  

1879 

A LIST  OF  SENATORS. 


Names. 

Date. 

Counties. 

Edward  D.  Baker... 

1840  & 1841 

Sangamon,  Menard,  Logan  and  Christian. 

Edward  D.  Baker... 

1842  & 1813 

Same. 

B.  Johnson 

1814  & 1845 

Mongomery,  Christian  and  Bond. 

Oliver  Gnuily 

1847 

Same. 

Hiram  Roundtree.. 

1849 

Christian,  Shelby,  Montgomery,  Fayette  and  Bond. 

Jacol)  D.  Lansing... 

1851 

Same. 

Galu'iel  R.  Jernigan 

18.53 

Same. 

Gabriel  R.  Jernigan 

1855 

Same. 

Joel  S.  Post 

1857 

Champaicn,  De  Witt,  Piatt,  Christian,  McLean  and 
Slielliy. 

Joel  S Post 

18.59 

Same. 

R.  J.  Oglesby 

1861 

Same. 

H.  M.  Vandeveer... 

1803 

Macoupin,  Shelby  and  Christi  m. 

H.  .M.  Vaniloveer... 

1805 

Same. 

John  M.  Woodson. 

1867 

Same. 

John  M.  Woodson. 

1809 

S.imo. 

('liurlos  Voids 

3871 

Macoupin,  Shelby  and  Christian. 

Wm.  R.  Hundley... 

1873 

Montgomery  and  Cliristian. 

Wm.  B.  Hnndlcy... 

1875 

Same. 

EliEiirSouthwortli 

1877 

Same.  » 

Eli/.iir  Soiithworih 

1879 

Same. 

• For  this  list  of  Representatives  and  Senators  wo  are  indebted  to  Co’.  George  H. 
Harlow,  .Soerelary  of  State. 


HISTORY  OF  CHRISTIAN  COUNTY,  ILLINOIS. 


65 


COUNTY  COMMISSIONERS. 

Gavin  Ralston,  Peter  Porter,  Tlios.  P.  Chapman,  1839;  Peter 
Porter,  Acpiilla  Council,  T.  P.  Chapman,  1840;  Overton  Williams, 

A.  Council,  E.  S.  A'onng,  1841 ; Overton  Williams,  A.  Council, 

E.  S.  A^oung,  1842;  Jesse  Elgan,  O.  Williams,  E.  >S.  A'oiing,  1843; 
Jesse  Elgan,  George  Dickson,  J.  H.  Bilyeau,  1844;  George  Dick- 
son, Jesse  Elgan,  Peter  R.  Ketcham,  1845  ; George  Dickson,  Jesse  t 
Elgan,  Peter  R.  Ketcham,  1846;  Win.  A.  Goodrich,  Jesse  Elgan, 

P.  R.  Ketcham,  1847 ; Jesse  Elgan,  Wm.  S.  Peabody,  Win.  A.  i 
Goodrich,  1848. 

COUNTY  RECORDERS. 

Horatio  M.  Vandeveer,  elected  in  1839;  Benjamin  Abates,  ap- 
pointed (pro  tern.)  in  1842;  Thomas  Dougherty,  elected  1843  and 
served  until  1848,  at  which  time  the  law  directed  the  Circuit  Clerk 
to  assume  the  duties  of  Recorder. 

CLERKS  OF  CIRCUIT  COURT. 

Horatio  M.  Vandeveer,  appointed  in  1839  and  resigned  in  1842  ; 
David  C.  Goodan,  appointed  (pro  tern.)  in  1842;  Horatio  M.  AAin-  \ 
deveer,  re-elected  in  1843  and  served  until  1848;  W.  S.  iMoore, 
elected  in  1848  and  served  until  1852;  W.  S.  Moore,  re-elected  in 
1856,  again  elected  in  1860  and  re-elected  in  1864;  John  B.  Ricks, 
elected  in  1868  and  re-elected  in  1872;  Josiah  A.  Hill,  elected  in 
1876,  and  is  the  present  incumbent. 

CLERKS  OF  COUNTY  COURT. 

Ezekiel  A''oung,  appointed  in  1839,  served  until  1843;  Philip  C. 
Ferguson,  elected  in  1843;  Daniel  Miller,  elected  in  1847  (died  in  [ 
office);  Thomas  P.  Bond,  appointed  (pro  tein.)  1848,  and  served  by 
re-election  in  1849  until  1853;  John  Hunter,  elected  in  1853  and 
served  until  1856,  (died  in  office);  W.  A.  Goodrich,  appointed  ; 
(pro  iem.)  in  1856,  elected  in  1857,  re-elected  in  1861,  was  again 
elected  in  1865  and  re-elected  in  1839;  Wm.  II.  Kirkwood,  elected  1 
in  1873;  Chas.  Whitmer,  elected  in  1877,  and  is  the  present  in-  | 
cumbent. 

SHERIFFS  OF  THE  COUNTY. 

William  S.  Ricks  was  appointed  in  1839,  and  was  elected  in  I 
1840;  Amos  Richardson,  elected  in  1842;  Henry  Hardin,  elected 
in  1844;  Gabriel  R.  Jernigan,  elected  in  1846;  Wm.  L.  Hammer, 
elected  in  1848;  AVm.  A.  Goodrich,  elected  in  1850;  Wm.  E.  i 
Brents,  elected  in  1852;  Wm.  A.  Goodrich,  elected  in  1854;  John  j 
C.  Goode,  elected  in  1856;  James  Christian,  elected  in  1857;  ! 

Leander  S.  Clark,  elected  in  1858;  James  Christian,  elected  in  j 
1860;  C.  A.  IManners,  elected  in  1862;  John  B.  Ricks,  elected  in 
1864;  John  White,  elected  in  1866;  Josiah  A.  Hill,  elected  in  J 
1868;  Henry  Johnson,  elected  in  1870;  J.  S.  Mercer,  elected  in  ' 
1873;  Josiah  A.  Hill,  elected  in  1874;  Thos.  G.  May,  elected  in  j 
1876;  A.  L.  Clark,  elected  in  1878,  (died  February  1st,  1880);  j 
W.  C.  Haines,  the  present  incumbent,  was  appointed  by  the  Board  i 
of  Supervisors,  Feb.  7th,  1880,  to  fill  the  vacancy  caused  by  the 
death  of  Mr.  Clark. 

PROBATE  JUDGES. 

Thomas  W.  Davis,  elected  in  1839;  Wm.  S.  Frink,  elected  in 
1843;  Calvin  Goudy,  elected  in  1847,  and  re  elected  in  1849.  ^ 

COUNTY  JUDGES. 

1849-53,  H.  M.  Vandeveer 

1853,  H.  M.  Vandeveer. 

1854,  H.  iM.  A^andevecr. 

1855-’57,  H.  M.  A’^andeveer 

9 


1857-’61,  D.  D.  Shumway.  Associates  | i 

( John  H.  Dawdy. 

1861-’65,  Leander  L.  Clark.  Associates  \ 

( John  \\  lute. 

1865-’69,  Andrew  Simpson.  Associates  | 

1869,  AVilliam  S.  Aloore. 

1877,  Alexander  AIcCaskill,  present  incumbent. 

MASTERS  IN  CHANCERY. 

J.  AI.  A^'andeveer,  1850;  J.  R.  Garin,  1850;  Ben.  Alason,  1853, 
and  1854 ; D.  D.  Shunnvay,  1857,  who  served  until  his  death, 
Alay  9th,  1870;  and  at  the  special  term  of  Court  in  Alay,  the  busi- 
ness was  given  to  special  commissioners,  and  between  that  time  and 
the  November  term  1870,  when  John  B.  Jones  was  appointed;  he 
served  until  Dec.  31st,  1878,  and  on  the  1st  of  .January,  1879,  John 
G.  Drennan  was  appointed,  and  is  tbe  jirescnt  incumbent. 

CORONERS. 

Benjamin  AVilliams,  appointed  in  1839 ; .Jacob  Lovely,  elected 
in  1840;  Daniel  Robb,  elected  in  1842;  Green  B.  Ketcham, 
elected  in  1844  ; J.  Jvetcham,  elected  in  1846  ; J.  M.  D.  Langley, 
elected  in  1848  ; James  Ridgway,  elected  in  1850  ; R.  E.  AVhite, 
elected  in  1852;  E.  T.  Lee,  elected  in  1854;  Jesse  Alurphy,  elected 
in  1856  ; Aloses  H.  Brents,  elected  in  1858  ; Joseph  Fellers,  elected 
in  1860;  D.  C.  Blount,  elected  in  1862  and  served  until  1872; 
J.  W.  Lamb,  elected  in  1872  and  re-elected  in  1874;  G.  W.  Lone, 

'O' 

elected  in  1876  and  re-elected  in  1878. 

SCHOOL  SUPERINTENDENTS. 

Horatio  AI.  Vandeveer,  appointed  in  1839  and  served  until  1841  ; 
John  W.  AVheat,  elected  in  1841  ; Thomas  S.  Leachman,  elected 
in  1843;  Daniel  Aliller,  elected  in  1845;  James  C.  Alorrison, 
elected  in  1847,  and  served  until  1853 ; Richard  Sparks,  elected  in 
1853  ; Isaac  Hanon,  Jr.,  elected  in  1855 ; S.  S.  Cisna,  elected  in 
1857,  and  served  until  1863;  J.  A.  Ryan,  elected  in  1863;  A. 
AIcCaskill,  elected  in  1865,  and  re-elected  in  1869 ; R.  AV.  Orr, 
elected  in  1873,  re-elected  in  1877,  and  present  incumbent. 

COUNTY  TREASURERS. 

Gabriel  R.  Jernigan,  appointed  in  1839  and  elected  in  1840; 
Jesse  Alurphy,  elected  in  1843  and  re-elected  in  1847 ; J.  Richard- 
son, elected  in  1849;  Sanford  Petty,  elected  in  1851,  and  served 
until  1861  ; Jones  Suttle,  elected  in  1861,  re-elected  in  1863  and 
1865 ; Alorgan  Goode,  elected  in  1867,  (died  in  office);  Thos.  P. 
Bond,  appointed  in  1868,  and  elected  in  1869  ; Samuel  P.  Alooney, 
elected  in  1871  ; Amos  A.  Rhodes,  elected  in  1873,  and  served 
until  1879 ; AV.  J.  Jordan,  elected  in  1879,  the  present  treasurer. 

COUNTY  SURVEYORS. 

John  E.  Stockton,  elected  in  1839  and  served  until  September 
1842;  AVm.  A.  Goodrich,  elected  in  1843,  re-elected  in  1847 ; M. 
P.  Goodrich,  elected  in  1849 ; Chas.  A.  Alanners,  elected  in  1851, 
re-elected  in  1853 ; A.  Simpson,  elected  in  1855  ; Henry  D.  Hall, 
elected  in  1857,  re-elected  in  1859  ; James  A.  Ryan,  elected  in  1861, 
II.  F.  Davidson,  elected  in  1863;  A.  AIcNeal,  elected  in  1865; 
AVm.  T.  Shaw,  elected  in  1867  ; Richard  AI.  Powel,  elected  in  1869, 
and  is  the  present  incumbent. 

COUNTY  GOVERNMENTS. 

Since  the  organization  of  this  county  as  many  as  three  different 
courts  for  the  tramsaction  of  the  county’s  business  have  existed. 
First. — The  County  Commissoners’  Court,  of  three  members,  for  ten 
years.  Second. — The  County  Court,  comprised  of  a County  Judge 
and  two  Associate  Justices,  for  seventeen  years.  Third. — The 


Associates  f 

( Amos  Richardson. 

Associates  ^ Jernigan, 

jissociates  ^ 

Associates  | 

Associates  | 


G3 


HISTORY  OF  CHRISTIAN  COUNTY,  TLLINOIS. 


Board  of  Supervisors,  as  at  jireseiit  coustituted.  The  latter  is  under 
tlie  form  of 

TOWNSHIP  OnOANIZATIOX. 

Before  its  final  adoption  it  was  submitted  to  the  electors  of  the 
countv,  on  no  less  tlian  three  difierent  occasions.  The  first  was  at 
the  November  election  in  1859.  The  vote  then  stood  for  township 
organization  789  ; against  it  787, — a majority  of  two  in  favor  of  the 
measure,  but  still  it  was  defeated,  for  the  law  required  a majority, 
taking  the  highest  vote  cast  as  a criterion.  The  highest  vote  cast 
previously  was  for  Congressman,  1716 — the  tc'tal  vote  on  township 
organization  was  1576.  So  the  measure  was  defeated  by  the  strict 
interpretation  of  the  law  by  a majoi'ity  of  69  votes. 

Tlie  second  effort  was  made  at  the  election  held  November  4, 1862. 
The  vote  stood  733  for  it,  and  1201  against  it — majority  against 
468. 

At  the  third  effort  made  November  7,  1865,  it  carried.  There 
was  a decided  majority  favorable  to  township  oi'ganization.  At 
the  Decend)er  term  of  the  county-court  following: — A.  G.  Neal,  of 
I’ana,  Dial  Davis,  of  i\It.  Auburn,  and  J.  Hamilton  Yandeveer,  of 
Taylorville,  were  ajipointed  commissioners  to  divide  the  county  into 
suitable  townships.  They  reported  March  1st,  1866,  to  the  court 
“That  they  had  performed  the  duty  by  dividing  the  county  into 
seventeen  districts,  named  as  follows: — IMosquito,  Mt.  Auburn, 
Buckhart,  Stonington,  Prairieton,  Assumption,  iMay,  Taylorville, 
South  Fork,  Bear  Creek,  Johnson,  Locust,  Pana,  Ilosemond, 
Greenwood,  Picks  and  King.  The  old  county-court — Andrew 
Simpson,  county  Judge,  witli  John  White  and  David  Ilenshie, 
Associate  Justices — hehl  its  last  meeting  on  the  10th  of  March, 
1866  ; after  ordering  an  election  for  one  Supervisor  from  each  of 
saiil  townships  as  formed.  Tlie  old  court  then  adjourned. 

supervisors’  court. 

The  first  special  meeting  of  the  newly  elected  Board  of  Supervi- 
sors was  held  at  the  court-liouse,  May  1st,  1866.  The  names  of  the 
mendiers  elect  were  as  follows: — Taylorville — M’’illiam  Mh  Ander- 
son ; Johnso7i — Tavner  Anderson;  Hear  Creek — James  H.  Hill; 
Jlicks — Janies  II.  Cisna  ; Kiny — William  S.  Potts;  South  Fork — 
Gavin  Palston  ; Buckhart — John  Sharp;  Mt.  Auburn — John  INI. 
Hill;  Monquito — James  Davidson;  Prairieton — W.  M.  Eaton; 
Stoninyton — Asa  Bowman  ; May — John  S.  Fraley  ; Locust — B.  C. 
Cocheran  ; Assumption — .Jacob  Overholt;  J‘ana — W.  B.  I.,ittle  ; 
Ilosemond — James  L.  Simpson  ; (Ircenwood — George  W.  Taylor. 
William  W.  Anderson  was  elected  Chairman  of  the  Board. 

The  supervisors  are  ciiosen  aniuuilly  on  the  first  Tuesday  in  Ajiril. 
The  svstem  seems  well  adapted  to  the  wants  of  the  jieojilc.  It 
certainly  has  one  merit  of  more  equally  representing  the  different 
interests  of  the  county.  It  is  in  the  nature  of  a small  legislative 
body,  deriving  its  power  direct  from  the  governed. 


CHAPTER  X. 

]u■:^’c^  AS  I)  II. \n. 

4’  the  circuit  court  for  the  county  of  Dane,  which  con- 
vened at 'I'aylorville,  IMonday,  November  4lh,  D39, 
Samuel  II.  'freat,  judge  of  the  eighth  judicial  circuit, 
pre.-ided. 

were  |)i-esent  Horatio  iU.  Yandeveer,  clerk  ; M'illiam  S. 
Kicks,  Shei  ifi';  David  15.  Campbell,  states  attorney  ; and  .lames  C. 
Conkling,  attorney  at  law.  I5y  an  act  of  the  legislature,  February 
21't,  18  15,  the  counties  of  Sangamon, 'fazewell,  Woodford,  McLean, 
Livingston,  De  Witt,  Piatt,  Champaign,  Yermilion,  Edgar,  Moul 


trie,  Christian,  Logan  and  INIenard,  were  formed  into  the  eighth 
judicial  district.  These  eounties  formed  the  circuit  until  the  act 
i of  February,  1847,  which  excluded  Livingston  and  Menard,  and 
included  Shelby  and  Macon  countie.s. 
j After  Judge  Treat  was  transferred  to  the  Federal  courts  by  Pre- 
sident James  K.  Polk,  David  Davis  of  Bloomington  was  elected  to 
take  his  place.  He  opened  court  in  Taylorville  .Tune  4th,  1849. 
Judge  Davis  remained  on  the  circuit  until  1853.  By  an  act  of  the 
legislature,  passed  February  3d,  1853,  McLean  county  was  taken 
out  of  the  circuit,  and  a new  circuit  formed  for  Judge  Charles 
Emerson.  The  counties  of  Sangamon,  Logan,  McLean,  Woodford, 
Tazewell,  DeWitt,  Champaign  and  Yermilion  formed  Judge  Davis’ 

' circuit,  and  retained  the  name  and  number,  as  the  eighth  judicial 
! district.  Bond,  Fayette,  Montgomery,  Christian,  Shelby,  Effing- 
; ham,  Moultrie,  hlacon  and  Piatt  counties  formed  Judge  Emerson’s 
circuit,  and  was  known  as  the  seventeenth  judicial  district. 

By  an  act  of  the  legislature,  February  12th,  1857,  the  counties 
that  composed  the  circuit  were  changed  again.  The  seventeenth  cir- 
! cuit  included  and  was  composed  of  Macon,  Piatt,  Fayette,  Effingham, 
i Shelby,  Moultrie  and  Coles  counties.  By  an  act  passed  February 
11th,  1857,  the  eighteenth  judicial  district  was  formed.  It  was  com- 
I posed  of  the  courts  of  Sangamon,  Macoupin,  ^Montgomery  and 
Christian.  The  seventeenth  still  remained  Judge  Emerson’s  cir- 
cuit. E.  Y.  Rice,  of  Hillsboro,  became  Judge  of  the  eighteenth  ju- 
dicial district.  He  presided  until  1870,  when  he  resigned  to  take 
his  seat  in  congress,  to  which  body  he  had  been  elected.  Hon.  H. 
j hi.  Yandeveer  was  appointed  to  fill  the  unexpired  term  of 
Judge  Rice,  which  expired  in  1873.  At  an  election  held  that  year, 
Judge  H.  M.  Yandeveer  was  elected  to  the  office  for  the  full  term 
of  six  years.  His  term  expired  in  June,  1879.  General  Jesse  J. 
Phillips,  of  Hillsboro,  w’as  elected  to  succeed  him. 

Our  readers  are  familiar  with  the  history  of  Judge  Treat.  His 
name  has  been  connected  with  the  jurisprudence  of  the  State  for 
nearly  half  a century. 

David  Davis,  the  second  Judge  upon  the  circuit,  has  an  enviable 
record  and  a national  reputation.  Raised  to  the  high  dignity  of  a 

Judge  of  the  Supreme  Court  of  the  United  States  by  his  warm  per- 

] sonal  friend,  Abraham  Lincoln,  and  at  present  a senator  in  the 

I balls  of  the  first  legislative  body  in  the  w’orld,  and  representing 

there  the  great  State  of  Illinois,  serve  to  mark  him  as  a iirofessional 
! jurist,  and  a wise  and  able  statesman. 

i Of  .Judge  Charles  Emerson,  it  may  be  said  that  he  was  a plain, 
unassuming  man,  and  a matter-of-fact  lawyer.  He  had  but  little 
sentiment,  and  dealt  very  largely  in  facts;  yet  withal  was  kind 
and  accommodating  on  the  bench,  particularly  to  the  younger  and 
' inexperienced  members  of  the  bar.  Yery  few  of  Judge  Emerson’s 
• decisions  were  reversed  by  the  higher  courts. 

.Judge  Rice,  was  born  in  Kentucky.  He  read  law  in  the  office 
of  .John  M.  Palmer,  of  Carlinville,  anil  was  admitted  to  the  bar  in 
1857.  He  soon  develojied  into  a sound  lawyer,  and  made  an  ex- 
cellent judge. 

Of  .ludge  II.  IM.  Yandeveer,  we  shall  have  occasion  to  speak 
more  extendedly  further  on  in  this  chapter. 

Judge  Phillips,  the  jiresent  incumbent,  is  yet  comparatively  a 
young  man,  with  little  cxjierience  upon  the  bench,  but  so  far  has 
given  evidence  of  being  eminently  ipialified  for  the  iiosition.  He 
brings  to  the  bench  studious  habits,  a well-trained  and  educated 
mind,  a pleasing,  gimtlemanly  address,  and  a strict  regard  for  the 
rights  and  feeling  of  others,  which  augurs  well  for  his  success  and 
popularity  in  the  future. 

In  1877  the  legislature  pa.ssed  a law  establishing  appellate 
courts,  enlarging  the  circuits,  and  providing  for  the  election  of 


HISTORY  OF  CHRISTIAN  COUNTY,  ILLINOIS. 


G7 


three  judges  for  each  circuit.  At  tlie  election  in  June,  1879,  W. 

R.  Welch,  of  Carlinville,  Charles  S.  Zaue,  of  Springfield,  and  J.  J.  j 
I’hillips,  of  Hillsboro,  were  elected.  Under  the  arrangement  made  j 
by  these  three  judges  for  the  division  of  the  business  the  county  of  ' 
Christian  has  fallen  to  Judge  Phillips.  ' 

STATE  AND  TROSECUTING  ATTORNEY.  i 

David  B.  Campbell,  of  Springfield,  was  the  first  public  prosecutor 
of  Christian  county.  He  was  an  able  lawyer,  fearless  in  the 
discharge  of  his  duty,  and  the  brightest  and  ablest  advocate, 
criminal  lawyer  and  state’s  attorney  the  county  ever  had.  His 
equal  in  his  day  was  hardly  found  iu  the  state,  and  his  superior 
not  in  the  north-west.  He  served  from  1839  until  1852.  After  ! 
him  came  Elam  Rust,  who  Avas  elected  in  1853  and  served  until  | 
1856.  J.  B.  White  from  1857  until  1864.  C.  M.  Morrison  from  ! 
1865  until  1868.  Horace  Gwin,  1868  to  1871.  A.  McCaskill, 
1872  to  1875.  V.  E.  Foy,  1876  to  1880,  and  is  the  present  in- 
cumbent. 

At  the  organization  of  the  county,  and  for  a number  of  years 
afterward,  the  members  of  the  Springfield,  Shelbyville,  Hillsboro 
and  Decatur  bars  practiced  here  and  supplied  the  legal  talent.  | 

Owing  to  the  small  amount  of  litigation  in  each  county  in  those 
days,  lawyers  found  it  necessary  and  profitable  to  follow  the  judge 
around  the  circuit,  from  one  county-seat  to  another.. 

The  array  of  legal  talent  that  frequented  the  first  courts  of 
Christian  county,  has  not  been  sur{Aa.ssed  or  hardly  equalled  iu  the 
state.  “ There  were  giants  in  those  days.”  The  rude  walls  of  the 
courtdiouse,  of  the  pioneer  days  of  Christian  county,  resounded 
with  forensic  elocpience.  In  that  legal  array  were  men  whose 
names  have  long  since  been  Avritten  high  on  the  roll  of  honor 
and  fame.  Prominent  among  the  attorneys  Avho  jn-acticed  here 
Avas  Abraham  Lincoln,  the  martyr  j)residcnt.  Among  the  older 
citizens  of  the  county  he  is  Avell  remembered,  more  particularly  for 
his  Avonderful  stories  and  anecdotes  Avith  Avhich  he  regaled  the 
crowds  of  gaping  listeners.  Here  also  practiced  Stephen  A.  Douglas, 
the  “Little  Giant”  of  the  West.  He  Avas  just  then  entering  upon 
his  brilliant  career,  Avhich  in  after  years  made  him  one  of  the  re- 
cognized intellectual  giants  of  his  age.  Here,  too,  Avas  E.  D. 
Baker,  the  silver-tongued  orator  “ Avho  commanded  an  Illinois  regi- 
ment in  the  Mexican  war,  afterwards  senator  from  Oregon,  Avhose 
life  Avent  out  Avhile  at  the  head  of  his  command,  at  the  battle  of 
Ball’s  Bluff,  in  the  late  rebellion.”  When  he  first  commenced  the 
practice  here  he  was  a candidate  for  state  senator.  He  Avas  a 
good  laAvyer,  but  a better  orator.  The  “gifts  of  the  gods  ” Avere  his 
to  a wonderful  degree.  Then  came  Stephen  T.  Logan,  one  of  the 
bright  legal  intellects  of  the  state.  He  aa^s  styled  the  Avalking  cn-  | 
cyclopaedia  of  legal  knoAvledge  and  information.  Around  him 
Avere  men  whose  minds  Avere  cast  in  massive  moulds ; men  av hose 
beck  and  will  the  masses  blindly  folloAved,  and  whose  names  are 
conspicuous,  and  mark  an  epoch  in  American  history.  Yet  they 
Avere  dwarfed  to  littleness,  and  were  infants  Avhen  measured  by  the 
full-groAvn  mental  manhood  of  Stephen  T.  Logan.  None  could 
grasp,  like  him,  the  subtle  intricacies  of  the  law,  deh'e  deeper  into 
its  mystic  lore,  or  build  up  a stronger  or  more  logical,  firmer,  and 
symmetrical  argument  than  he.  It  Avas  absolutely  faultless.  The 
problems  over  Avhich  the  ordinary  legal  mind  Avould  consume  the 
“ midnight  oil  ” in  their  efforts  to  solve,  to  him  Avere  but  mental 
recreation.  His  clear  and  comprehensive  mind  grasped  all  details, 
and  made  light  as  day  that  Avhich  to  others  Avas  dark  and  obscure. 

Mr.  Logan  is  still  a resident  of  Springfield,  Illinois. 

Here  also  practiced  Anthony  Thornton,  of  Shelbyville,  which 
practice  he  still  continues.  He  for  a time  graced  the  bench  of  the 


Supreme  Court  of  Illinois.  James  C.  Conkling,  of  Springfield,  Avho 
Avas  the  first  and  only  attorney  here  Avhen  the  court  of  this  county 
convened  for  the  first  time.  B.  S.  Edwards  was  also  a prominent 
and  learned  attorney.  Then  came  Joshua  Lamburn,  an  able  ora- 
tor and  successful  criminal  lawyer.  Senator  McDougal,  of  na- 
tional reputation.  John  T.  Stuart,  Avith  his  elegant  manners  and 
fine  scholastic  appearance.  Jesse  B.  Thomas,  a polished  and  e.x- 
tremely  dignified  gentleman,  but  a good  laAvyer  withal.  Samuel  S. 
Moulton,  still  an  attendant  upon  the  court,  and  at  one  time  con- 
gressman for  the  state  at  large.  William  F.  May,  of  Madison 
county,  afterward  of  Springfield.  A.  McWilliams,  of  Litchfield  ; 
Hiram  Roundtree,  of  Hillsboro ; William  II.  Herndon,  of  Spring- 
field,  all  practitioners  of  this  bar,  and  all  regarded  as  good,  safe  and 
reliable  lawyers.  And  last,  but  by  no  means  least,  may  be  men- 
tioned the  name  of  Richard  J.  Oglesby,  renoAvned  in  Avar,  in  the 
state  and  nation  as  a gallant  soldier,  as  governor  of  a great  state, 
and  United  States  senator  from  Illinois.  The  fore<roin<r  are  some 
of  the  names  of  prominent  men  Avho  came  here  and  fought  the  legal 
battles  for  this  county.  Will  the  county  or  bar  of  any  other  local- 
ity iu  the  state  ever  again  see  such  a formidable  array  of  prominent 
names  and  legal  talent  as  Avas  assembled  here  forty  years  ago? 

FORMER  RESIDENT  LAAA'YERS. 

The  second  resident  laAvyer  of  Christian  county  Avas  a man  by 
the  name  of  John  W.  Wheat.  He  came  to  Taylorville  in  1840, 
and  taught  school  here  soon  after  the  toAvn  Avas  located.  In  1841 
he  conjinenced  the  practice  of  laAV.  There  Avas  but  little  legal 
business  to  attend  to  in  those  tlays,  and  Mr.  Wheat  did  not  find 
the  practice  remunerative,  and  soon  after  left  the  county.  He  Avas  a 
Avell-educated  young  man,  and  possessed  considerable  ability,  and 
Avould  have,  no  doubt,  risen  to  prominence  in  the  jirofession  had  he 
remained  here.  Benjamin  Mason  Avas  the  fourth  laAvycr ; Avas 
a citizen  of  Greenfield,  Green  county.  Ills.,  and  came  to  Taylor- 
ville in  the  latter  jiart  of  1852.  He  Avas  elected  justice  of  the 
peace  soon  after  he  came  here;  Avas  a brilliant  young  man, 
Avith  a fine  legal  mind,  and  soon  got  considerable  practice.  He 
Avould  have  succeeded  Avell  in  the  law,  but  unfortunately  for  him  he 
fell  into  bad  habits,  and  soon  lost  his  re])utation  and  practice. 
Remained  here  until  1858.  During  the  gold  excitement  of  the 
latter  year  he  Avent  to  Pike’s  Peak,  returned  to  Carrollton  iu  1862, 
and  died  in  1870. 

Thos.  Shoemaker  AA'as  the  fifth  resident  lawyer.  He  came  to 
Taylorville  about  1852,  AA’as  somewhat  “irregular”  in  his  prac- 
tice, and  remained  here  until  1854,  Avhen  he  Avent  to  Kansas, 
took  a hand  in  Kansas  politics,  and  achieved  considerable  notoriety 
and  accumulated  some  Avealth.  Was  one  of  those  restless,  ener- 
getic men,  and  Avas  peculiarly  adapted  for  the  stirring  times  incident 
to  the  history  of  Kansas  Avhile  yet  under  territorial  government. 
His  prominency  however  proved  his  death.  He  was  shot  and  killed 
in  one  of  the  riots  tliat  disgraced  the  early  history  of  that  state. 
J.  H.  Dawdy  located  in  Pana  in  April,  1856.  He  Avas  a natiA'e  of 
Illinois,  and  became  a laAvyer  from  force  of  circumstances.  There 
being  no  attorney  in  Pana,  when  he  first  located  there,  and  a law- 
yer being  very  much  in  demand,  he  concluded  to  study  for  the  jiro- 
fession.  He  Avas  admitted  to  the  bar  in  1856.  Soon  after  he  Avas 
elected  As.sociated  Justice  for  the  county,  a position  he  held  for 
four  years,  and  was  then  elected  Justice  of  tlie  Peace;  an  office  he 
has  continued  in  Avith  but  few  interru])tions  ever  since. 

George  Pease  Avas  the  second  lawyer  in  Pana.  He  Avas  a native 
of  Mass.,  and  a graduate  of  Yale  College.  Came  to  Pana  in  1857, 
and  continued  there  iu  practice  until  1861.  At  the  breaking  out 
of  the  Avar  he  enlisted  and  Avas  elected  Captain  of  a company.  He 


68 


HISTORY  OF  CHRISTIAN  COUNTY,  ILLINOIS. 


remained  in  service  for  two  }’ears,  when  he  returned  and  resumed 
his  practice.  Remained  in  Pana  for  four  years  longer,  and  then 
removed  to  Taylorville,  and  from  here  to  Colorado,  where  he  at 
present  resides.  Mr.  Pease  is  remembered  as  a very  good  lawyer, 
and  a man  of  fine  oratorical  abilities.  James  O.  Connor  was  also  a 
resident  lawyer  of  Pana.  He  was  a native  of  New  York,  loca- 
ted in  1858,  and  continued  in  practice  until  1861,  when  he  entered 
the  army  and  was  elected  1st  Lieutenant  of  a company  in  the  3d 
Ills.  Cavalry.  Was  subserpiently  promoted  to  the  rank  of  Major, 
and  continued  in  the  service  until  the  close  of  the  war,  when  he 
married  an  intelligent  and  accomplished  lady  of  Helena,  Ark.,  where 
he  has  since  resided.  Mr.  O.  Connor  was  of  a judicial  turn  of  mind, 
but  lacked  the  elements  of  an  orator. 

Harrison  Havens  road  law  while  a clerk  in  the  office  of  W.  S. 
^loore.  Circuit  Clerk.  Was  admitted  to  the  bar,  but  did  little  prac- 
tice. He  went  to  Iowa,  and  then  to  Springfield,  l\Io.,  where  he 
])ermanently  located,  and  continued  the  practice.  Since  becoming 
a resident  of  the  latter  place  he  has  twice  represented  his  District  in 
Congress.  He  was  yet  a young  man  when  he  left  Taylorville,  but 
since  then  has  developed  considerable  ability  as  a lawyer,  and 
has  been  very  successful  as  a politician.  D.  K.  Hall  came  to  Tay- 
lorville in  1850.  Upon  the  breaking  out  of  the  war  he  entered  the 
service  as  a First  Lieutenant,  and  was  promoted  during  the  war  to 
the  rank  of  Major.  He  never  returned  to  the  county,  but  after  the 
war  settled  in  Mi.ssouri,  where  he  still  lives. 

Hon.  D.  I).  Shumway  was  a native  of  Mass-,  and  came  to  Chris- 
tian county  in  1843.  He  studied  law,  and  was  admitted  to  practice 
in  I860;  then  formed  a law  partnership  with  Hon.  II.  M.  Vandeveer, 
and  was  for  many  years  a prominent  man  in  the  county,  and  this 
section  of  the  state;  and  held  many  offices  of  honor  and  trust.  He 
was  a logical  rcasoner  and  a superior  jury  lawyer.  Died  in  1870. 

1).  T.  Moore  was  another  member  of  the  bar.  A native  of  Ohio. 
He  read  law  in  Taylorville,  and  was  here  admitted  to  practice. 
Remained  here  until  1864,  when  he  removed  to  Washington,  Iowa, 
where  he  engaged  in  mercantile  pursuits.  Subsc(piently  he  removed 
to  York,  Nebraska,  and  commenced  again  the  i)ractice  of  his  pro- 
fession. He  still  resides  there,  and  is  a prominent  lawyer,  and  has 
filled  several  im])ortant  judicial  ]>ositions. 

David  McWilliams  came  to  Taylorville  in  1863.  He  remained 
here  until  1866,  when  he  removed  and  located  at  Monticello,  Piatt 
county,  Illinois. 

S.  P.  Davis  was  a member  of  the  Christian  county  bar,  and  is 
better  known  as  a journalist  than  a lawyer.  In  I860  ho  removed 
to  Belleville,  and  from  thence  to  Denver,  Colorado,  where  he  died 
with  consumption.  About  this  time  a lawyer  by  the  name  of  J.  G. 
Murdock  attempted  to  practice  law  here.  Was  not  successful, 
and  soon  after  removed  to  Texas,  where  he  remains  at  present. 
Daniel  McFarland,  an  attorney  from  O’Fallon,  in  8t.  Clair  county, 
Illinois,  came  to  Taylorville  in  1871,  and  opened  a law  office.  He 
soon  after  left,  and  went  to  Peoria,  Illinois. 

A.  D.  Rich  located  in  Pana,  in  1870.  His  first  venture  therein 
business  was  the  establishing  of  the  I*ana  Palladlmn,  a newsj)apcr 
that  still  continues.  Ihacticcd  law  to  a limited  extent;  re- 
mained in  Pana  until  1872,  when  he  removed  to  Iowa,  thence  to 
Hannibal,  Mo.,  where  he  remains  at  present.  J.  A.  Taylor  was  a 
resident  of  .Macon  county,  lie  was  admitted  to  the  bar  in  Decatur, 
came  to  Taylorville  in  1872,  and  remaineil  for  several  years. 
^\’hile  here  he  contracted  some  fatal  flisease,  and  went  back  to  De- 
catur, where  lu'died  s(K)Ii  after. 

S.  S.  Hibbard  was  a |iraclicing  attorney  ; located  in  Taylorville 
in  1874-75.  He  removed  lo  Si.  Louis,  and  soon  after  abandoned  the 


law  and  entered  the  ministry  of  the  Univer.salist  Church.  Was  a 
quiet,  unobtrusive  gentleman,  and  a good  lawyer. 

Charles  A.  Shirley  commenced  the  practice  of  law  in  Taylorville 
in  1877,  and  continued  until  1878,  when  he  removed  and  perma- 
nently located  in  Blue  Mound,  Macon  county.  Ills.  G.  W.  Hin- 
man  came  td- Pana  in  1877,  remaining  one  year;  then  returned  to 
his  former  home  in  Pike  county,  Illinois. 

J.  W.  Stanley,  a practical  machinist,  was  elected  City  Attorney  of 
Pana  in  1877.  He  served  one  year,  and  then  removed  to  Law- 
rence county.  Illinois,  where  he  is  now  engaged  in  practicing  law. 

Daniel  IMiller  was  Clerk  of  the  Court  of  Christian  county,  and 
studied  law  during  his  term  of  office.  He  was  a good  lawyer,  and 
very  popular.  Died  in  Taylorville.  It  is  to  be  regretted  that  we 
could  not  get  fuller  information  of  Mr.  Miller.  J.  M.  Pendell 
located  in  Pana  in  1867.  He  had  a limited  practice.  Died  in  1878. 

William  II.  Dawdy  was  a resident  of  Pana.  He  was  admitted  to 
the  bar  in  1866.  Read  law  with  B.  W.  Henry  of  Vandalia. 
Was  elected  City  Attorney  of  Pana,  and,  at  the  expiration  of  his 
term  of  office,  located  in  Greenville,  Ills.  He  is  now  State’s  Attor- 
ney of  Bond  county,  to  which  position  he  has  been  twice  elected. 
W.  T.  Rogers  came  to  Pana  in  1866.  Fie  practiced  law  for  two 
years,  and  is  now  a resident  of  St.  Louis. 

A.  C McMillan  was  also  an  attorney  of  Pana.  Came  there  in 
1866.  Had  a large  and  lucrative  practice.  He  took  an  active  and 
conspicuous  part  in  the  building  of  the  O & M.  R.  R.,  was  a 
man  of  great  energy  and  perseverance,  and  did  his  part  towards 
furthering  enterprises  that  had  for  their  object  the  material  ad- 
vancement and  prosperity  of  Pana.  Died  in  1875. 

Present  Members  of  the  Bar. — In  speaking  of  the  present  mem- 
bers of  the  bar  it  is  necessary  that  we  be  quite  brief.  We  have 
not  space  to  give  each  such  au  elaborate  notice  as  Ave  would  desire, 
nor  would  it  be  craved  by  the  profession.  Fulsome  laudation 
would  be  out  of  place  in  a work  of  this  character.  It  is  not  too 
much  to  say,  however,  that  the  bar  of  Christian  county  will 
compare  favorably  in  point  of  talent  with  any  in  Central  Illi- 
nois It  comprises  among  its  members  ambitious  and  studious 
young  men,  to  whom  the  future  is  bright  and  roseate  with  promises 
of  usefulness  and  renown.  It  also  embraces  men  of  mature  years, 
who  have,  by  patience  and  diligent  toil,  won  high  places  in  the 
honorable  profession  of  Law. 

Hon.  II.  M.  Vandeveer  must  be  regarded  as  the  Nestor  of  the 
bar.  He  Avas  born  in  Indiana  in  1816,  and  came  Avith  his  father 
to  Avhat  is  now  Christian  county  (then  Sangamon)  in  1829, 
Read  hiAV  Avith  John  T.  Stuart,  of  S|)ringfield,  and  Avas  admitted  to 
practice  in  1839.  He  Avas  first  resident-hiAvyer  in  the  county. 
During  the  first  years  after  the  organization  of  the  county,  he  held 
most  of  the  offices,  and  has  been  identified  in  one  Avay  and  another 
Avith  the  civil  history  of  the  county  from  its  first  organization  down 
to  the  present.  As  a lawyer  he  appeared  on  one  side  or  the  other 
of  every  important  case  that  has  been  tried  in  the  courts  of  this 
county  j>rior  to  1870,  Avhen  he  became  judge  of  this  circuit.  He 
is  a man  of  fine  natural  abilities,  a most  e.xcellcnt  judge  of  men, 
untiring  and  aggrcssiA’C,  and  a sound  practical  lawyer.  In  both 
]>rivate  and  public  life,  and  in  every  official  cai)acity,  he  has  always 
been  found  faithful  to  trusts  reposed  in  him,  and  has  maintained 
the  respect  of  the  bar  and  esteem  of  his  fellow-citizens  through  all 
the  years  past,  since  he  has  been  a resident  of  the  county. 

W.  S.  Moore  is  the  second  resident  attorney,  and  the  third  law- 
yer in  the  county.  He  is  a native  of  Ohio,  and  came  to  Taylor- 
ville in  1848.  Bead  law  with  H.  M.  Vandeveer,  Avas  admitted 
to  practice  in  1852,  ami  continued  in  the  profession  until  1878, 
Avhcii  he  abandoned  law,  and  engaged  exclusively  in  merean- 


HISTORY  OF  CHRISTIAN  COUNTY,  ILLINOIS. 


69 


tile  pursuits.  Mr.  Moore  gave  almost  exclusive  attention  to  the 
Chancery  practice,  in  which  he  was  successful.  He  has  held  va- 
rious offices  in  (he  county,  and  was  circuit  clerk  for  twenty  years, 
lion.  Alexander  McCaskill  is  a native  of  McDonough  county, 
Illinois.  Read  law  in  the  office  of  Judge  Bailey,  Van  Vleck 
& Wells,  was  admitted  to  the  bar  in  1857,  and  commenced  the 
practice  in  Prairie  City,  in  his  native  county.  In  the  winter  of 
1857-58  he  came  to  Taylorville,  where  he  remained  until  1859, 
then  removed  to  Colorado,  returning  here  in  1861  ; and  again 
commenced  the  practice,  which  he  has  continued  uninterruptedly, 
except  four  years,  which  was  spent  as  County  Superintendent  of 
Schools.  He  was  elected  State’s  Attorney  for  one  term.  In  1877 
was  elected,  and  at  present  ably  fills  the  office  of  County  Judge. 
He  is  regarded  as  a good  lawyer  and  safe  adviser.  In  personal 
character  he  is  above  reproach. 

Hon.  Andrew  Simpson  is  one  of  the  veteran  lawyers  at  this 
bar.  Is  a native  of  Kentucky,  and  came  to  Illinois  in  1835.  Was 
admitted  to  practice  in  1857,  at  the  spring  term  of  the  Circuit  Court 
of  Christian  county,  and  has  remained  here  in  the  practice  ever 
since.  He,  too,  has  been  honored  with  offices  of  trust  in  the  county. 
Was  elected  to  the  office  of  County  Judge  just  prior  to  town- 
ship organization.  As  a lawyer  he  takes  front  rank  at  this  bar. 
His  superior  knowledge  of  human  nature,  the  motives  and  springs 
of  human  action,  make  him  a dangerous  antagonist  to  cope  with 
before  a jury.  As  a man  he  is  plain  and  unassuming,  kind  and 
affable,  somewhat  eccentric,  and  full  of  anecdote  and  humor. 

William  S.  Randle  is  a native  of  North  Carolina.  Studied 
law  in  the  office  of  A.  W.  Metcalf,  of  Edwardsville,  Madison  county, 
Illinois.  He  was  admitted  to  the  bar  in  1858.  Came  to  Chris- 
tian county  in  1869,  and  engaged  in  farming,  in  connection  with 
the  practice  of  law.  Resides  near  Morrisonville,  in  this  county. 

S.  G.  Lewis  is  a native  of  Delaware.  He  emigrated  to  Green 
county,  Illinois,  in  1844,  and  read  law  in  1857,  ’58,  ’59  and 
’60,  in  the  office  of  D.  M.  McKinney  and  Hon.  N.  M.  Knapp, 
of  Winchester,  Illinois.  Was  admitted  to  the  bar  in  Carrollton, 
Illinois,  in  1860,  and  commenced  the  practice  in  1862.  Was 
admitted  to  practice  in  the  U.  S.  Courts  in  1870,  and  commenced 
the  practice  in  Taylorville  in  1878.  He  is  a good  lawyer. 

J.  M.  Birce,  a resident  of  A.ssumption,  and  member  of  this  bar, 
is  a native  of  New  York.  He  taught  school  and  reatl  law.  In 
1860  he  entered  the  La\v  Department  of  the  University  of  Michi- 
gan at  Ann  Arbor,  and  in  1861  was  admitted  to  practice.  In  1865 
he  came  to  Assumption,  and  was  admitted  to  the  bar  in  April,  1866, 
by  the  Supreme  Court  at  Springfield.  He  is  engaged  in  the  general 
practice,  and  is  a painstaking  and  earnest  lawyer. 

John  W.  Kitchell  is  a native  of  Illinois.  He  studied  law  in 
the  office  of  Miller  & Beck,  Ft.  Madison,  Iowa,  where  he  was 
subsequently  admitted  to  practice,  then  returned  to  Hillsboro, 
Illinois,  his  former  home,  and  was  admitted  to  practice  in  the 
courts  of  Illinois.  Remained  in  Hillsboro  until  1866,  except  an 
absence  of  eighteen  mouths  spent  in  the  practice  in  Charleston, 
Illinois,  and  then  came  to  Pana  in  October  of  the  same  year,  where 
he  remained  up  to  the  pre.sent  time.  Mr.  Kitchell,  as  a lawyer,  is 
a man  of  quick  perceptions,  great  activity,  a good  thinker,  ener- 
getic, and  a successful  practitioner. 

J.  C.  McQuigg,  of  Pana,  became  a member  of  this  bar  in  1867. 
Is  a native  of  Ohio.  He  was  educated  at  the  Fredericksburg 
Academy  and  Vermilion  College  in  his  native  state,  and  graduated 
therefrom  in  1865.  The  same  year  he  entered  the  Law  Depart- 
ment of  the  University  of  Michigan  at  Ann  Arbor,  graduated 
in  1867,  and  was  at  once  admitted  to  practice  at  Colund)us,  Ohio. 
Ho  came  to  Pana  the  same  year,  commenced  the  general  prac- 


tice of  the  law,  and  has  been  there  ever  since.  Mr.  McQuigg  has 
a large  and  lucrative  practice,  and  is  regarded  by  his  professional 
brethren  as  an  able  and  conscientious  lawyer. 

Hon.  William  Edgar  Morrison  is  to  the  manor  born.  He  re- 
ceived a literary  and  scientific  education  at  the  College  of  the 
Christian  Brothers  in  St.  Louis.  During  the  late  w’ar  he  was  ap- 
pointed a midshipman  in  the  United  States  Navy.  Studied  law 
in  the  office  of  Judge  William  H.  Snyder,  of  Belleville,  Illinois> 
was  admitted  to  the  bar  in  1867,  and  began  the  jjractice  in  Spring- 
field,  Illinois,  soon  after.  Remained  in  the  latter  place  four 
years,  then  moved  to  Morrisonville,  in  this  county,  w’here  he  has 
since  resided.  His  preference  is  for  the  criminal  practice,  although 
he  does  not  make  that  a specialty.  He  is  a fine  speaker,  and,  as  a 
jury  lawyer,  takes  front  rank  at  this  bar.  He  is  a social,  genial 
gentleman. 

Hon.  John  B Jones  is  a native  of  Ohio.  He  came  to  Christian 
county  in  1864.  Read  law  here,  and  was  admitted  to  the  bar  in 
1868,  at  the  April  term  of  the  Circuit  Court.  Commenced  the 
practice  at  Nokomis,  Montgomery  county,  Illinois.  He  returned  to 
Taylorville  the  same  year,  opened  an  office  and  continued  the 
practice.  In  1870  he  was  appointed  JMaster  in  Chancery,  and  con- 
tinued in  that  office  until  1879.  Mr.  Jones  is  a painstaking,  care- 
ful, studious  lawyer,  and  possessed  of  untiring  industry.  In  the 
management  of  his  cases,  he  has  them,  with  his  authorities,  well  in 
hand.  While  he  is  not  what  might  be  termed  an  orator,  he  states 
a legal  proposition  with  great  clearness  and  fidelity  to  facts.  He 
has  a fine  law'  library ; perhaps  the  largest  and  best  selected  in  the 
county. 

James  M.  Taylor  is  a native  of  Scotland,  and  came  to  America 
in  1854.  He  read  law  in  the  office  of  Blodgett,  Upton  & Williams, 
of  Waukegan,  Lake  county,  Illinois.  He  was  admitted  to  the 
practice  at  the  spring  session  of  the  Supreme  Court  at  Ottawa.  In 
1868  he  came  to  Taylorville,  and  formed  a law-partnership  with 
Andrew  Simpson.  The  partnership  was  dissolved  tw'o  years  later, 
since  which  time  he  has  continued  alone  in  the  practice.  His  pref- 
erence is  for  the  chancery  and  real  estate  practice.  He  has  studied 
his  profession  w’ell,  and  po.ssesses  a natural  aptitude  for  the  law. 

W.  M.  Provine  is  a native  of  Illinois.  He  studied  law  with  Ex- 
Gov.  John  M.  Palmer  and  Milton  Hay  at  Springfield,  Illinois. 
Was  licensed  to  practice  by  the  Supreme  Coui't  in  1868.  A short 
time  after  his  admission  to  the  bar  he  moved  to  Taylorville  and 
commenced  the  practice.  Mr.  Provine  is  a very  careful,  industri- 
ous law’yer.  All  business  intrusted  to  his  care  is  sure  to  receive  his 
prompt  attention.  Such  is  his  character  as  an  attorney. 

James  C.  McBride  is  a native  of  Illinois.  Was  educated  at 
Earlham  College,  a Quaker  institution  of  learning  at  Richmond, 
Indiana,  and  Lincoln  University,  Lincoln,  Illinois.  He  graduated 
from  the  latter  in  1869,  read  law'  in  the  office  of  Judge  W.  R. 
Welch,  of  Carlinville,  Illinois,  was  admitted  to  the  bar  in  1870, 
and  commenced  the  practice  in  Taylorville,  w'here  he  has  since  re- 
sided. He  is,  as  a lawyer,  zealous  and  industrious  in  the  cause  of 
his  clients.  His  industry  and  energy  argue  well  for  his  future 
prospects  in  the  profession.  He  creditably  fills,  and  has  for 
several  years  past,  the  office  of  city  attorney. 

William  T.  Vandeveer  is  a native-born  citizen  of  Taylorville. 
He  was  educated  at  Shurtliff’  College,  Upper  Alton.  Read  law 
at  the  office  of  his  father,  H.  M.  Vandeveer,  w’as  admitted  to 
the  bar  in  1871,  and  at  once  entered  upon  a successful  practice, 
and  no  doubt  would  have  attained  a prominent  position,  had 
he  continued  and  made  law  the  sole  profession  and  business  of 
his  life.  He  is  a clear,  forcible  reasoner,  eloquent  .speaker,  and 
possesses  in  a high  degree  the  elements  of  a successful  lawyer,  but 


70 


HISTORY  OF  CHRISTIAN  COUNTY,  ill  IN  0 IS. 


abandoned  the  practice  in  order  to  devote  his  attention  to  his  large 
and  constantly  increasing  banking  and  private  business. 

D.  F.  Murray,  of  Morrisonville,  is  a native  of  Ohio.  He  studied 
law  in  the  office  of  John  B.  Jones,  and  was  admitted  to  the  bar  of 
Christian  county  in  May,  1871,  and  immediately  thereafter  com- 
menced the  practice  in  IMorrisonville.  Is  diligent  and  enthusi- 
astic in  his  profession,  and  his  friends,  of  whom  he  has  many, 
jiredict  for  him  success.  He  prefers  the  chancery  practice. 

Daniel  McCaskill  came  to  Christian  county  in  1865.  He  read- 
law’  in  the  office  of  his  brother,  A.  McCaskill.  Was  admitted  to 
the  bar  in  1870,  at  the  October  term  of  the  Supreme  Court  in 
Springfield,  and  commenced  the  practice  in  1872,  in  Taylorville. 
In  1874  he  formed  a partnership  with  his  brother,  which  still  con. 
tinues.  He  is  a good  conveyancer  and  safe  counsellor. 

V.  E.  Foy,  the  present  able  jiublic  prosecutor  of  Christian 
county,  is  a native  of  Ohio.  He  read  law’  in  the  office  of  J.  B. 
Jones,  and  w’as  admitted  to  practice  in  1874,  at  the  September  term 
of  the  Supreme  Court  at  Ottawa.  He  bcgaft  the  practice  in 
Taylorville.  In  1876  he  was  chosen  to  fill  the  office  of  state’s 
attorney.  Is  a good  speaker,  and  regarded  as  a good  lawyer  by 
the  members  of  the  bar. 

George  B.  Crooker  is  a native  of  Illinois.  He  came  to  Taylor- 
ville in  1867,  and  read  law  here,  and  became  a member  of  the 
bar  in  1874,  and  commenced  practice  in  connection  with  James  C. 
McBride.  The  firm  of  McBride  & Crooker  still  continues.  He  is  a 
popular  young  man,  and  has  good  qualities  for  a successful  lawyer. 

James  B.  Kicks  was  educated  at  the  Wesleyan  University,  Bloom- 
ington, 111.  He  studied  law  in  the  office  of  Andrew  Simpson, 
was  admitted  to  the  bar  in  1874,  and  is  a young  man  of  fine 
addre.ss  and  considerable  oratorical  pow'er.  With  proper  industry 
he  will  become  a bright  ornament  in  the  profession.  lie  is  a native 
of  Illinois. 

John  G.  Drennan  is  a native  of  Kentucky,  and  came  to  Chris- 
tian county  in  1856.  Studied  law  in  the  office  of  John  B. 
Jones,  and  was  admitted  to  the  bar  in  December,  1878.  He  was 
examined  before  the  apj)ellate  court,  and  received  the  highest  grade 
in  a cla.ss  of  seventeen  applicants.  Formed  a law  partnership 
with  his  preceptor  June  1,  1879,  which  still  continues.  He  was 
appointed  Master  in  Chancery  in  1879.  As  a lawyer  he  is  yet 
young  in  the  practice,  but  he  already  gives  ample  evidence  of  his 
aggressiveness  and  industry  in  his  cho.sen  profession. 

E.  A.  Humphreys  was  admitted  to  the  bar  in  1872.  He  is 
located  in  I’ana,  and  is  said  to  be  a very  good  lawyer. 

J.  C.  Essick,  a resident  lawyer  of  Pana,  is  a native  of  Pennsyl- 
vania. He  became  a member  of  the  bar  in  1870,  and  has  the 
reputation  of  being  a sound  lawyer  and  a good  advocate. 

8.  K.  Tippie  is  also  a resident  of  Pana,  and  was  admitted  to  the 
])ractice  in  1877.  Is  a native  of  Ohio,  and  a good  lawyer. 

Will  iam  Killcgor  was  admitted  to  j)ractice  in  the  courts  of 
Chri.stian  county  in  1878.  At  present  he  holds  the  office  of  city 
attorney  of  Pana. 

W.  T.  Houston  is  a lawyer  and  resident  of  Edinburg,  and  is 
a native  of  Illinois.  Read  law  in  tlic  office  of  J.  B.  Jones,  of 
Taylorville,  and  was  admitted  to  the  bar  in  1879. 

E Copperthwaite  is  a native  of  Pennsylvania.  He  entered  the 
(Quaker  City  Busine.ss  College  of  Philadelphia,  where  he  eom- 
ph-ted  a two  years’  cour.«c  in  all  the  mercantile  branches,  theo- 
retical and  j)raetieal,  including  the  .study  of  mercantile  law  and 
political  economy.  After  graduating,  he  (;am(!  to  this  county  and 
settled  in  Assumption,  where  he  read  law  with  J.  M.  Brice.  He 
was  admitt<'d  to  the  bar  in  1879.  Mr.  C.  is  a bright,  talented  man, 
and  will  make  a good  advocate,  with  proper  industry. 


Benj.  F.  Burnett,  a native  of  Ontario  county,  N.  Y.,  educated  at 
Canandaigua  in  the  same  state,  began  the  study  of  law  when  quite 
young  ; admitted  to  the  bar  in  1836,  at  JacLson,  in  Jackson  county, 
Michigan,  where  he  practiced  about  tw’enty-three  years.  In  1859 
he  moved  to  Mercer  county.  111.,  and  in  1863  moved  to  Litchfield, 
111.  In  the  early  part  of  the  year  1886  settled  in  Taylorville.  Mr. 
B.,  is  a clever  gentleman  and  sound  lawyer.  He  has  two  sons, 
George  B.  and  F.  W.  Burnett,  who  are  among  the  prominent  prac- 
titioners of  the  Madison  county  bar  of  this  state. 

It  has  been  our  aim  to  do  justice  to  all.  How’  w’ell  we  have 
succeeded  we  leave  others  to  judge. 


CHAPTER  XI. 

THE  PRESS. 

BY  D.  MACKENZIE. 

The  Pana  Weekly  Democratic  Herald,  The  Independent  Press, 
Taylorville  Flag,  Illinois  IIepuklican,  Saturday  Republican, 
Pana  Gazette,  Central  Orient,  Christian  County  Democrat, 
Taylorville  Democrat,  Pana  Palladium,  Assumption  Independ- 
ent, Assumption  Record,  Morrisonville  Times,  Farmers’  Journal, 
Pana  Weekly  Argus,  Register  Central  Homestead,  Pana  Plain- 
dealer,  Taylorville  Journal,  The  Central  Illinois  Democrat. 

AUREXTIUS  COSTER,  to  fill  an  idle  hour,  w’hile  ramb- 
ling through  the  forest  contiguous  to  his  native  city, 
Hoirlem,  Holland,  carved  some  letters  on  the  bark  of  a 
birch  tree.  Drowsy  from  the  relaxation  of  a holiday, 
he  wrapped  his  handiwork  in  a piece  of  paper,  and  lay  dowm  to 
rest.  While  men  sleep,  the  w’orld  moves ; and  Coster  aw’oke  to 
discover  a phenomenon  to  him  simple,  strange  and  suggestive. 
Damped  by  the  atmospheric  moisture,  the  paper  w’rapped  about  his 
carvings  had  taken  an  impression  from  them,  and  the  surprised 
burgher  saw  on  the  paper  an  inverted  image  of  ivliat  he  had  en- 
graved on  the  bark.  The  phenomenon  was  suggestive,  because  it 
led  to  experiments  that  resulted  in  establishing  a printing-office — 
the  first  of  its  kind — in  the  old  Dutch  town.  In  this  office,  John 
Gutenberg" served  a faithful  and  appreciative  apprenticeship,  and 
from  it,  at  the  death  of  his  master,  absconded  during  a Christmas 
festival,  taking  with  him  a considerable  portion  of  type  and  appa- 
ratus. Gutenberg  settled  in  Mentz,  where  he  won  the  friendship 
and  iiartnershiji  of  John  Faust,  a man  of  sufficient  means  to  place 
the  new  enterprise  upon  a secure  financial  basis.  Several  years 
later,  the  partnership  was  dissolved,  because  of  a misunderstanding. 
Gutenberg  then  formed  a partnership  with  a younger  brother,  who 
had  set  up  an  office  at  Strasburg,  but  had  not  been  successful,  and 
becoming  involved  in  law’-suits  had  fled  from  that  city,  and  joined 
his  brother  at  Mentz.  These  brothers  were  the  first  to  use  metal 
types.  Faust,  after  his  dissolution  with  Gutenberg,  took  into  part- 
nership Peter  Schadfer,  one  of  his  servants,  and  an  ingenious 
printer.  Schadier  privately  cut  matrices  for  the  whole  alphabet; 
and  when  he  showed  his  master  the  type  cut  from  these  matrices, 
Faust  was  so  much  jileased  that  he  gave  Schoeffer  his  only  daughter 
in  marriage. 

These  are  the  great  names  in  the  early  history  of  printing,  and 
each  is  worthy  of  special  honor.  Coster’s  discovery  of  the  use  of 
wood-blocks  or  jilatcs  on  which  the  jiages  to  be  jirinted  were  en- 
graved, was  made  some  time  between  1440  and  1450,  and  Hclueffer’s 
improvement,  easting  the  types  by  means  of  matrices,  was  made 
about  1456.  William  Caxton,  an  Englishman  and  pupil  of  Colard 
Mansion,  printer  of  Bruges,  set  up  a printing  office  in  Westminster 
between  1471  and  1477. 


HISTORY  OF  CHRISTIAN  COUNTY,  ILLINOIS. 


71 


For  a long  time  printing  was  dependent  upon  most  clumsy  appa- 
ratus. The  earliest  press  had  a contrivance  for  running  the  forms 
under  the  point  of  pressure  by  means  of  a screw.  When  the  pres- 
sure had  been  supplied,  the  screw  was  loosened,  the  form  withdrawn, 
and  the  sheet  removed.  Improvements  upon  these  crude  beginnings 
have  been  made  from  time  to  time,  until  the  hand-presses  now  in 
use  are  models  of  simplicity,  durability  and  execution.  In  1814 
steam  was  first  applied  to  cylinder-presses  by  Frederick  Konig,  a 
Saxon  genius,  and  the  subsequent  progress  of  steam-printing  has 
been  so  remarkable  as  to  almost  justify  a belief  in  its  absolute  per- 
fection. Indeed,  to  appreciate  the  improvements  which  have  been 
made  in  presses  only,  one  ought  to  be  privileged  to  stand  by  while 
the  pressman  operated  one  of  the  clumsy  machines  of  Gutenberg, 
and  then  he  should  step  into  one  of  the  well-appointed  printing 
offices  of  our  larger  cities,  where  he  could  notice  the  roll  of  damp- 
ened paper  entering  the  great  power-presses  a continuous  sheet, 
and  issuing  from  it  as  newspapers  ready  for  the  carrier  or  express. 

It  would  be  interesting  to  trace  more  minutely  the  history  of  this 
great  art  from  its  humble  origin  in  Hmrlem,  through  all  successive 
stages,  to  the  present,  and  to  classify  its  products.  For  nearly  a 
thousand  years  previous  to  its  introduction,  mankind  had  been  sur- 
rounded by  the  densest  ignorance  the  world  has  ever  known. 
Teutonic  barbarians  had  swept  over  fair  Italy,  had  sacked  her 
capital,  had  despised  her  civilization  as  unworthy  even  the  indul- 
gence of  men  dependent  upon  muscle  and  sword  for  empire  and 
liberty.  Vandalism  had  been  christened,  and  had  mocked  the 
wisdom  of  philosophers  while  destroying  and  defacing  the  master- 
pieces of  Grecian  and  Roman  architecture  and  sculpture.  Attila, 
the  “ Scourge  of  God,”  at  the  head  of  vast  Tartar  hordes  from 
Asiatic  steppes,  had  traversed  the  Roman  empire,  spreading  dismay 
and  disaster,  until  checked  at  the  fierce  battle  of  Chalons.  Omar 
had  burned  the  great  Alexandrian  library,  after  declaring  that  if 
its  volumes  agreed  with  the  Koran,  they  were  needless ; if  they 
conflicted,  they  were  pernicious.  During  this  period,  feudalism 
had  kept  the  noble  at  war  with  his  sovereign,  had  unsettled  govern- 
ments, and  made  men  soldiers  with  scarcely  time  for  necessary 
practice  at  arms ; amusements  were  popular,  only  as  they  contri- 
buted to  martial  prowess,  and  poetry  in  the  main  was  but  a min- 
strel’s doggerel  concerning  the  chivalrous  deeds  of  a listening 
knight  or  the  wonderful  charms  of  a favorite  mistress.  Pepin  had 
humbled  the  Long  Beards,  and  had  laid  the  keys  of  their  cities  at 
the  feet  of  the  Holy  Father.  From  the  fall  of  Rome,  there  had 
been  but  little  talent  and  time  to  cultivate  letters.  A few  ecclesi- 
astics here  and  there  were  the  custodians  of  the  learnins:  saved 

<D 

from  the  wrecks  of  Grecian  literature  and  Roman  knowledge. 
The  masses  were  ignorant.  They  believed  that  the  hand  which 
commonly  held  the  sword  would  be  disgraced  if  trained  to  wield 
the  pen.  Books  were  for  the  monk’s  cell  or  the  anchorite’s  cave, 
and  the  objective  points  of  all  study  were  to  escape  purgatory,  to 
cast  a horoscope,  to  turn  the  baser  metals  into  gold.  Superstition, 
priestcraft  and  thirst  for  material  renown  moulded  public  acts  and 
private  training.  Piety  was  best  shown  in  pilgrimages  to  the  Holy 
Sepulchre.  When  the  dust-stained  devotees  became  objects  of 
Turkish  contempt  and  persecution,  all  Europe  rushed  to  the  rescue. 

While  war  destroys  and  demoralizes,  not  unfrecpiently  it  prepares 
the  way  for  beneficent  reformations.  The  Crusaders  broke  the 
power  of  feudalism,  dispelled  much  geographical  ignorance  by 
making  neighboring  nations  better  acquainted,  gave  an  imjietus  to 
commercial  enterprises,  awakened  the  sluggish  intellect,  enlarged 
the  human  mind  and  rendered  it  more  tolerant,  introduced  the 
luxuries  and  refinements  of  the  Greek  empire,  and  brought  about 
Magna  Charta  and  Free  Cities.  With  the  expanding  and  increas- 


ing commerce,  arts  came  to  the  front,  trades  flourished  and  practice 
began  to  test  prece{)t.  The  middle  classes,  whose  condition  ever 
determines  the  character  of  an  era  or  nation,  obtained  concessions 
and  rights  to  which  they  had  been  strangers  for  centuries.  The 
mental  world  began  to  move.  Famous  journeys  and  discoveries 
w’ere  made.  Roger  Bacon  and  Berthold  Schwartz  studied  the 
chemistry  of  the  Arabs,  and  were  among  the  first  devotees  at  the 
shrine  of  physical  science.  Wycliffe  translated  the  Bible  into  the 
English  vernacular.  Simin,  Italy,  the  Netherlands  and  England 
sought  new  outlets  for  their  surplus  products  of  soil,  loom  and  fish- 
eries. Mental  darkness  can  make  no  long-continued  stand  against 
such  enter])rise,  and  enterprise  will  ever  find  an  exponent  to  herald 
its  doings  from  nation  to  nation,  and  a medium  to  make  its  conquests 
the  property  of  succeeding  generations.  Europe  was  in  a commer- 
cial and  intellectual  foment  when  Coster  set  up  his  printing  office 
in  Hterlem,  and  inaugurated  an  industry  until  then  unknown.  To 
understand  the  effect  of  that  industry  upon  humanity,  compare  the 
enlightenment,  civilization  and  progress  of  the  present  with  the 
semi-barbarism  and  stagnation  of  the  middle  ages.  Many  a toiling 
case:nan  repeats  the  words  of  the  wise  man,  “Of  making  books  there 
is  no  end,”  and  many  a weary  author  echoes,  “ And  much  study  is 
a weariness  to  the  flesh.”  Printing  is  rolling  back  ignorance,  vice 
and  degradation,  is  unfolding  the  mysteries  of  nature,  and  is  ex- 
jdaining  the  mandates  of  Him  who  made  man  in  His  own  image, 
and  expects  the  homage  of  the  creature  due  the  Creator. 

The  Romans  in  the  time  of  the  emperors  had  periodical  notices 
of  passing  events,  compiled  and  distributed.  These  acta  diurna 
(daily  events),  were  the  newspajiers  of  that  age.  In  1536,  the  first 
newspajicr  of  modern  times  was  issued  at  Venice,  but  governmental 
bigotry  compelled  its  circulation  in  manuscript  form.  In  1663, 
the  Public  Intelligencer  was  published  at  London,  and  is  credited 
with  being  the  first  English  paper  to  attempt  the  dissemination  of 
general  information.  The  first  American  newspaper  was  the  Boston 
News  Letter,  whose  first  issue  was  made  April  24th,  1704.  It  was 
a half  sheet,  twelve  inches  by  eight,  with  two  columns  to  the  page. 
John  Campbell,  the  postmaster,  was  the  publisher.  The  Boston 
Gazette  made  its  first  appearance  December  21st,  1719,  and  the 
American  Weekly,  at  Philadelphia,  December  22d,  1719.  In  1776, 
the  number  of  newspapers  published  in  the  eolonies  was  thirty-seven  ; 
in  1828,  this  number  had  increased  to  eight  hundred  and  fifty-two, 
and  at  the  present  time  not  less  than  ten  thousand  newspapers  are 
supported  by  our  people. 

Journalism,  by  which  is  meant  the  compiling  of  passing  public 
events  for  the  purpose  of  making  them  more  generally  known  and 
instructive,  has  become  a powerful  educator.  Experience  has  been 
its  only  school  for  special  training,  its  only  text  for  study,  its  only 
test  for  theory.  It  is  scarcely  a profession,  but  is  advancing  rapidly 
towards  that  dignity.  A distinct  department  of  literature  has  been 
assigned  to  it.  Great  editors  are  writing  autobiographies,  and  for- 
mulating their  methods  and  opinions ; historians  are  rescuing  from 
oblivion  the  every-day  life  of  deceased  journalists  ; reprints  of  bril- 
liant productions,  such  as  the  letters  of  Junius,  are  furnishing  nivodels; 
interviews  with  famous  journalists  touching  the  different  phases  of 
their  profession,  are  deemed  worthy  of  publication  in  book  form. 
Leading  universities  have  contemplated  the  inauguration  of  courses 
of  study  specially  designed  to  fit  men  and  women  for  the  duties  of 
the  newsjmper  sanctum.  These  innovations  are  not  untimely,  since 
no  other  class  of  men  are  so  powerful  for  good  or  ill  as  editors. 
More  than  any  other  class  they  form  public  opinion  while  expressing 
it,  for  most  men  but  echo  the  sentiments  of  favorite  journalists. 
Even  statesmen,  ministers  and  learned  professors  not  unfrequently 
get  their  best  thoughts  and  ideas  from  the  papers  they  read. 


72 


HISTORY  OF  CHRISTIAN  COUNTY,  ILLINOIS. 


For  dates  and  facts  relating  to  the  early  history  of  the  press  of 
the  county  we  are  indebted  to  the  newspaper  fraternity,  who  have 
kindly  aided  us  with  information  necessary  for  this  chapter. 

Previous  to  the  establishing  of  newspaj)crs  in  Christian  county 
the  people  were  dependent  upon  the  St.  Louis  and  Springfield 
papers  for  their  information  from  the  outside  world.  It  is  to  be 
remembered  what  is  now  one  of  the  most  productive  agricultural 
sections  in  the  State,  was  looked  upon  with  disfavor  by  those  seek- 
ing homes  in  the  western  states.  Emigrants  disliked  prairie  lands, 
and  criticized  its  sloughs,  hence,  therefore,  the  county  was  slowly 
settled. 

Christian  county  had  not,  like  more  favored  localities,  (except  a 
small  portion  of  it)  the  advantages  of  railroads  at  an  early  day, 
hence,  enterprise  that  follows  in  the  wake  of  those  great  thorough- 
fares, did  not  wave  its  magic  wand  over  this  county  until  long  after 
its  organization.  But  nevertheless  the  residents  became  imbued 
with  a desire  to  excel.  An  organ  was  needed  to  speak  for  the 
county,  for  its  agricultural  resources,  for  its  flattering  promises  for 
the  future,  for  its  rights  and  privileges  as  an  organized  member  of 
a great  State.  Politically,  the  people  dittered  then  as  they  do  now. 
(Questions  of  great  political  and  national  importance  were  being 
discu.ssed,  and  were  settled  a few  years  later  amidst  the  roar  of 
cannon,  the  din  of  musketry,  and  the  shedding  of  the  blood  of 
thousands  of  noble  and  patriotic  men  of  our  common  country. 

Milan  S.  Beckwith,  an  enterprising  and  public  spirited  citizen  of 
Pana,  inaugurated  measures  for  establishing  a newspaper  at  the 
above  named  place.  He  purchased  the  material  and  necessary 
pre.«ses  of  Dr.  Cheniworth,  of  Decatur,  Illinois,  and  on  the  23d  day 
of  December,  1857,  issued  the  first  number  of  the  first  paper  ever 
])rinted  in  Christian  county.  It  bore  the  name  of 

THE  PANA  AVEEKLY  HEMOCRATIC  HERALD. 

We  have  no  doubt  that  the  first  appearance  of  the  Herald  was 
greeted  with  enthusiasm  ; henceforth  the  county  was  to  have  name 
and  fame  among  its  contemporaries.  The  paper  was  strongly 
Democratic  in  its  politics,  and  left  no  doubt  of  the  views  of  its  edi- 
tor upon  current  topics.  The  object  of  its  editor,  as  stated  by  him, 
Avas  to  give  his  party  an  organ,  and  abso  inform  the  outside  Avorld 
of  the  wealth  of  soil  and  the  advantages  that  Pana  and  surround- 
ing country  presented,  and  thereby  induce  emigration  to  come 
within  her  borders.  Be  it  understood  tliat  INIr.  Beckwith  at  that 
time  was  largely  interested  in  real  estate.  The  Herald  had  a fair 
subscription  li.st  from  the  outset,  and  the  business  men  adverti.sed 
lil)erally.  It  Avas  independent  in  ]>olitics  Avhen  first  issued,  but  in 
the  political  excitement  of  1858,  in  entering  on  its  second  volume, 
it  changed  over  to  the  democracy  and  became  a Avarm  supporter  of 
Senator  Doughus  for  the  presidency.  It  Avas  a twenty-eight  column 
j)aper,  and  neat  in  its  typographical  execution.  It  Avas  a warm 
advocate  of  the  cause  of  education  and  common  schools.  It  did 
much  for  tlie  early  advancement  of  Pana.  The  office  Avas  sold,  and 
tlie  Herald  discontinued,  with  tlic  forty-first  number  of  volume  ten. 
Mr.  B(!ckwith  is  at  present  a resident  of  Pierce  city,  Lawrence 
ouiity,  Mi.s.souri. 

PANA  PLAINDEALER 

Wius  the  8uccc.s.sor  of  the  Ilendd,  and  issued  its  first  number  Octo- 
ber Till,  185!).  It  Avas  edited  by  Eli  I’.  Chittenden.  lie  continued 
its  [)ubIication  until  the  1st  of  November,  I8fi(),  when  it  was  dis- 
continued, and  the  office  removed  to  Slielbyvillc,  Illinois. 

Tlierc  were  several  efihrts  made  by  tlie  citizens  of  'I'aylorvillc  to 
start  a noAVspajier,  but  Avithout  success,  until  Benjamin  Winters,  a 
practical  printer,  came  to  tlie  city.  He,  through  the  liberality  and 
aid  pledged  by  the  prominent  men  of  Taylorville,  purcliased 


material  and  presses,  and  on  the  19th  of  January,  1858,  issued  the 
first  number  of  the  second  paper  printed  in  Christian  county.  It 
bore  the  name  of 

THE  INDEPENDENT  PRESS. 

It  continued  until  November  28th,  1868.  At  first  it  professed 
neutrality,  but  soon  espoused  the  democratic  cause.  Mr.  AVinters 
Avas  an  ardent  Democrat  of  the  old  school  of  politics.  In  the 
Douglas-Buchanan  is.sue  he  took  sides  Avith  the  administration, 
and  the  Press  had  a decided  partisan  tone.  Mr.  Winters  Avas  a 
peculiar  aud  someAvhat  eccentric  character.  He  Avasa  bold  thinker, 
a vigorous  Avriter,  and  master  of  satire.  The  indiscriminate  use  of 
the  latter  subjected  him  to  censure  and  the  gradual  loss  of  friends. 
He  Avas  as  liable  to  lampoon  a friend  as  an  enemy.  His  bitter  in- 
vective and  offensive  articles  lost  him  the  confidence  and  support  of 
the  Democratic  party,  Avho  AvithdreAv  their  patronage,  aud  the  paper 
Avas  discontinued  at  the  time  above  mentioned,  for  the  Avant  of 
material  aid.  When  the  publication  ceased,  the  type  Avere  Avorn 
out.  For  some  years  before  the  process  of  “ underlaying  ” had  to 
be  resorted  to  in  order  to  get  an  impression  from  them.  The  press 
on  Avhich  the  paper  Avas  printed  had  done  duty  in  the  office  of  the 
Missouri  Pepuhliean  as  early  as  1808.  The  first  number  of  that 
paper  had  been  printed  on  it.  In  1831,  it  was  used  in  establishing 
the  Sanjamou  Journal,  in  Springfield,  Illinois.  It  was  brought  from 
there  to  Taylorville,  Avhen  it  Avas  finally  broken  up.  Mr.  Winters 
died  in  Taylorville,  and  lies  buried  in  Oak  Hill  Cemetery. 

THE  TAYLORAHLLE  JOURNAL, 

AVas  the  title  of  another  AA'eekly  paper  published  at  the  county 
seat.  Its  advent  Avas  unheralded  and  unsung.  It  professed  to  be 
Democratic,  but  there  being  a paper  already  published  in  the 
interest  of  that  party,  the  enterprise  had  but  a feeble  support  from 
that  quarter,  and  as  might  ha\"e  been  expected,  it  soon  died  for  the 
Avant  of  patronage.  The  first  number  Avas  issued  January  27th, 
1859.  The  publishers  Avere  Messrs.  Corr,  Van  Kirk  and  Co.  After 
printing  nine  numbers,  the  Journal  Avas  discontinued.  Financially, 
it  Avas  a flat  failure.  The  office  Avas  in  the  old  court-house,  east 
side  of  the  square.  The  office  Avas  sold  under  mortgage  and  taken 
to  Pana,  from  Avhich  issued  the  Central  Illinois  Democrat. 

THE  CENTRAL  ILLINOIS  DEMOCRAT. 

The  printing-office  used  iu  the  publication  of  the  Democrat  Avas 
the  same  from  Avhich  issued  the  Taylorville  Journal.  It  Avas  pur- 
chased at  loAV  figures  by  E.  P.  Sanders,  and  moved  to  Pana.  This 
enterprise  Avas  undertaken  to  furnish  an  organ  for  the  Jiarty  in  place 
of  the  Herald,  recently  discontinued.  The  first  number  Avas  issued 
January  7th,  I860,  by  E.  P.  Sanders,  as  proprietor  and  publisher, 
and  J.  B.  Butler,  editor.  On  the  23d  of  February,  I860,  AV'^.  P. 
Phelon  Avas  added  to  the  editorial  staff,  and  continued  until  June 
1st,  I860,  Avhen  he  retired.  On  the  9th  of  NoA-ember,  i860,  the 
office  changed  hands.  G.  AV.  Harper  aud  F.  J.  Beck  appeared  as 
editors  and  publishers.  They  changed  the  name  to  the 

PANA  AVEEKLY  ENTERPRISE, 

But  it  had  a short  existence,  being  strangled  in  its  birth  after  the 
first  issue.  On  the  24th  of  the  same  month  O.  F.  IMorrison  and  M. 
M.  De  Levis  purchased  the  office  and  changed  the  name  to  the 

PANA  PUBLIC. 

Mr.  De  Levis  Avas  editor.  it  Avas  independent  in  politics,  and 
for  a time  Avas  the  only  paper  in  Pana.  The  general  mechanical 
arrangement  of  the  paper  Avas  iu  good  taste;  its  tyjiographical  execu- 
tion neat ; and  its  original  and  selected  matter  seemed  to  have  been 
gotten  up  Avith  care  and  discrimination.  The  publication  Avas  con- 


HISTORY  OF  CHRISTIAN  COUNTY.  ILLINOIS. 


tinued  by  them  until  June  1st,  18G2,  when  the  office  and  paper  | 
were  moved  to  Clinton,  Illinois.  This  change  left  Pana  without  a 
paper  for  about  three  years,  or  until  the  advent  of  the  Gazette. 

The  democratic  party  liad  for  years  been  the  dominant  part}'^  in 
Christian  county.  Tlie  old  line  whigs  had  no  paper  to  represent 
them,  nor  had  the  republican  party  until  18G4.  During  that  | 
year  the  Union  League,  a republican  political  organization,  felt 
the  necessity  of  having  an  organ  that  would  fairly  repre.sent  their 
principles.  They  accordingly  subscribed  stock  and  raised  funds  to 
purchase  a printing  office.  The  material  and  presses  were  bought, 
and  on  the  2Gtli  of  July,  1864,  ' 

THE  TAYLORVILLE  FLAG 

was  flung  to  the  journalistic  breeze.  J.  D.  Mondy,  a practical  | 
printer,  was  placed  in  charge  as  a manager  and  editor.  His  con-  [ 
nection  with  the  office  was  of  short  duration.  Three  weeks  after 
assuming  the  management  he  gave  unmistakable  evidence  of  not 
being  in  lieartj’^  sympathy  with  the  principles  of  the  organization 
whose  servant  he  was.  He  resigned,  and  Paul  Conner,  also  a prac- 
tical printer,  was  j)laced  in  charge.  Soon  after  assuming  control, 
Mr.  Conner  purchased  the  office,  and  became  sole  editor  and  j 
jiroprietor,  in  which  capacity  he  continued  until  April  12th,  1866, 
when  he  sold  a half  interest  to  John  J.  Squier.  The  co-partnership  j 
of  Conner  A Squier  continued  until  November  15th,  1866,  when  ] 
Mr.  Squier  purchased  IMr.  Conner’s  interest,  and  became  editor  | 
and  publisher.  He  changed  the  form  of  the  paper,  December  30th,  ! 

1869,  from  a folio  to  a quarto.  On  the  24th  of  March,  1870,  he  j 
also  changed  the  name  from  The  Tuiilorville  Flag  to  [ 

THE  ILLINOIS  REPUBLICAN, 

which  name  it  still  retains.  On  the  18th  of  November,  1870,  Mr. 
Squier  sold  a half  interest  in  the  Republican  to  W.  B.  Squier,  his 
brother.  The  firm  of  Squier  Bros,  continued  until  March  19th, 
1874,  when  the  partnership  was  dissolved,  John  J.  Squier  remain- 
ing editor  and  publisher  up  to  the  jiresent  time.  On  the  19th  of 
August,  1876,  he  commenced  the  publication  of  i 

THE  SATURDAY'  REPUBLICAN,  i 

in  addition  to  the  Illinois  Republican,  which  he  has  also  continued  i 
to  the  present.  The  Republican  is  a six  column  Quarto,  and 
under  its  present  vigorous  management  is  excelled  by  few  country 
journals  in  Central  Illinois.  Mr  Squier  is  not  a practical  printer, 
but  he  possesses  fine  business  qualifications,  energy  and  tact.  In 
ability  he  is  above  the  average  editors  of  country  newspajicrs.  As  I 
a financial  venture  the  Republican  has  been  a success. 

The  next  venture  for  journalistic  honors  was 

THE  PANA  GAZETTE.  j 

The  first  number  was  issued  July  27th,  1865.  Richard  Couch  j 

and  R.  M.  Carr  were  the  editors  and  projirietors.  Mr.  Couch  had 
removed  a Smith  press  and  material  that  formed  a part  of  the  old 
State  Register  office,  from  Shelbyville  to  Pana  in  1865,  and  was 
operating  a Job  office.  j 

Mr.  Carr  purchased  some  new  type  and  added  to  the  office,  and  j 
out  of  this  material  was  issued  the  Gazette.  The  firm  of  Couch  & 
Carr  continued  until  April  7th,  1866,  when  Mr.  Carr  purchased  the 
entire  interest  in  the  office,  and  remained  editor  and  publisher 
until  December  11th,  1868,  when  he  sold  a half  interest  to  R.  W. 
Coon.  The  partnership  of  Carr  & Coon  continued  until  February 
10th,  1871,  when  it  was  dissolved,  IMr,  Coon  retiring  from  the  busi- 
ness. Since  the  latter  date  Mr.  Carr  has  been  editor  and  sole 
proprietor.  The  Gazette  is  an  eight  column  folio,  and  is  Republican 
in  politics.  It  is  recognized  as  one  of  the  leading  and  influential 
10 


Republican  organs  in  this  Congressional  District.  Mr.  Carr  has 
demonstrated  his  ability  to  run  a newspaper  successfully. 

In  1868  the  leading  Democrats  of  the  county  became  dissatisfied 
with  the  course  of  the  Indepjendent  Press,  and  determined  to  have 
a paper  that  would  to  a larger  extent  represent,  and  be  an  expo- 
nent of  their  principles.  They  therefore  made  lilieral  subscriptions, 
and  pledged  certain  amounts  for  advertising.  With  this  encour- 
agement and  promised  aid,  John  J.  Smith  purchased  type  and 
presses,  and  on  the  13th  of  August,  1868,  issued  the  first  number  of 

THE  CHRISTIAN  COUNTY  DEMOCRAT. 

IMr.  Smith  had  no  experience  as  a newspaper  man,  and  was  not  a 
printer,  consequently  his  management  was  not  as  successful  as  it 
would  otherwise  have  been.  He  remained  editor  and  jiublisher 
until  November  20th,  in  the  same  year,  when  he  sold  out  to  James 
Suttle  The  latter-named  gentleman  conducted  the  paper  with 
fair  ability  until  September  17th,  1869,  when  he  disposed  of  the 
office  to  S.  P.  Davis,  of  Belleville,  and  F.  L Powers,  from  Decatur, 
Illinois.  The  firm  of  Davis  & Powers  published  and  edited  the 
Demomtf  until  February  11th,  1871,  when  W.  S.  Martin  became 
the  purchaser.  Mr.  Davis  was  a lawyer  by  profession,  and  a man 
of  considerable  ability  as  a newspaper  writer,  but  his  continued 
bad  health  unfitted  him  for  an  active  editorial  and  journalistic  life. 

On  the  21st  of  May,  1874,  the  words  “Christian  County”  were 
omitted,  and  the  word  “ Taylorville  ” substituted,  since  which  time 
the  paper  has  been  known  as 

ailE  TAYLORVILLE  DEMOCRAT. 

Mr.  Martin  continued  as  editor  and  publisher  until  August  2d, 
1875,  when  George  W.  Weber  became  a partner  in  the  Democrat. 
The  partnership  was  dissolved  June  l.st,  1877,  Mr.  Weber  retiring, 
and  Mr.  Martin  continued  the  publication  up  to  January  1st,  1880, 
when  he  sold  out  the  office  to  Benjamin  A.  and  Philip  A.  Richards, 
of  Springfield,  Illinois,  who  at  present  are  the  editors  and  owners 
of  the  jiaper.  Mr.  Martin  is  a practical  printer,  and  under  his 
administration  the  Democrat  flourished  and  gained  a large  circula- 
tion. The  present  editor,  Benjamin  A.  Richards,  is  a veteran 
jirinter  and  journalist,  having  spent  thirty-five  years  at  the  case 
and  in  the  sanctum.  His  long  experience  and  ability  as  a ready 
writer  will  aid  him  materially  in  placing  the  Democrat  in  the  front 
rank  of  journalism  in  the  State  of  Illinois. 

THE  CENTRAL  ORIENT. 

The  first  number  of  the  above-named  paper  was  issued  June 
20th,  1866,  J.  F.  Harner,  publisher,  and  C.  S.  Hilbourn,  editor. 
The  firm  name  was  J.  F.  Harner  & Co.  The  Orient  was  decided- 
ly democratic  in  tone,  if  we  may  judge  from  the  salutatory  to  the 
public.  The  following  is  an  excerpt : “ The  Orient  will  at  all 
times  advocate  economy  in  public  expenditures,  and  the  reduction 
and  equalization  of  taxation,  so  that  its  burdens  shall  fall  alike 
upon  the  rich  and  the  poor ; it  will  vigorously  oppose  all  attempts 
to  engraft  negro  suffrage  upon  our  statutes,  and  all  legislation  by 
Congress  tending  to  centralization  of  power  at  Washington,  or  the 
subversion  of  the  inherent  and  constitutional  rights  of  the  states.” 
The  publication  of  the  Orient  continued  under  the  same  manage- 
ment until  iMay,  1868,  when  it  was  discontinued  for  want  of  proper 
patronage.  The  paper  was  a model  of  typographical  neatness, 
like  all  the  journals  of  which  Mr.  Harner  had  the  mechanical 
charge. 

THE  PANA  PALLADIUM. 

After  the  exit  of  the  Orient,  Pana  was  without  a democratic 
paper  for  over  a year  and  a half,  when  the  Palladium  made  its 
appearance,  the  first  number  of  which  was  issued  by  S.  D.  Rich, 


74 


II18T0RY  OF  CHRISTIAN  COUNTY,  ILLINOIS. 


editor  aud  proprietor.  It  was  an  eight  page  folio,  and  had  forty 
columns.  Politically  it  was  democratic.  It  was  conducted  with 
ability,  and  exhibited  taste  in  its  mechanical  management.  On 
the  23d  of  April,  1870,  Mr.  Rich  disposed  of  the  office  aud  paper 
to  Messrs.  P.  A.  & J.  J.  Farley,  young  men  of  ability  and  experi- 
ence in  the  newspaper  business.  After  several  years’  connection 
witli  the  paper,  P.  A.  Farley  retired,  and  its  publication  was  con-  | 
tinued  by  J.  J.  Farley,  editor  and  proprietor.  He  on  the  loth  of  i 
^larch,  1877,  sold  the  office  to  A.  W.  Chabin.  Three  months  later 
]\Ir.  Chabin  sold  a half  interest  to  Jacob  Swallow,  and  in  three  ' 
months  from  that  time  ]\Ir.  Swallow  retired,  aud  Mr.  Chabin  again 
became  sole  proprietor  and  editor,  aud  so  continued  until  ^larch 
10th,  1879,  when  the  office  reverted  to  Farley  Bros.,' who  on  i 
the  same  date  sold  it  to  Jacob  Swallow,  who  continues  to  the  | 
present,  editor  and  proprietor.  The  Palladium  is  a five  column 
quarto.  It  is  ably  edited,  and  is  recognized  as  the  organ  of  the 
temperance  cause  in  I’ana. 

THE  ASSUMPTION  INDEPENDENT. 

Ko.  1 of  vol.  I.,  was  issued  April  22,  1871.  The  paper  was 
printed  at  the  office  of  the  Pana  Gazette,  and  shipped  by  mail  to 
Assumption  and  distributed.  R.  M.  Carr  was  the  proprietor  and 
J.  ^I.  Birce  local  editor.  The  Independent  was  neutral  in  politics. 
Air.  Carr  continued  the  publication  of  the  paper  until  the  15th  of 
April,  1872,  when  he  sold  to  I.  V.  Park  sufficient  material  and 
])resses  to  continue  the  publication  at  Assumption.  Air  Park  gave 
his  note  in  payment  for  the  office,  with  four  good  and  I’esponsible 
citizens  of  Assumption  as  sureties  on  the  note.  Six  months  later 
the  note  matured,  and  Air.  Park  was  unahle  to  meet  it.  The  sure- 
ties paid  the  note,  and  the  ofiicc  passed  into  their  hands.  They 
formed  a joint-stock  association,  and  Issued  shares  of  stock.  They 
])laced  John  L.  Alarncll  in  charge  as  manager  and  editor.  He  was 
not  a practi  al  j)rinter  nor  a good  manager.  The  Independent, 
under  his  management,  was  somewhat  erratic,  and  made  its  appear- 
ance semi-occa.sionally.  In  July,  1874,  the  stockholders  secured 
the  services  of  Richard  Couch,  a practical  printer,  to  take  charge 
of  the  office.  He  changed  the  name  of  the  paper  to 

THE  ASSII.Ml’TION  RECORD. 

He  continued  the  publication  of  the  A’ecord  for  one  year,  when 
he  retired,  and  A.  W.  Chabin  assumed  the  management.  He  con- 
tinued for  nine  months,  when  the  office  was  sold  to  A.  AI.  Ander- 
son, and  removed  to  Windsor,  Shelby  county.  111.  Afterward 
the  materials  and  j)rcsses  were  removed  to  Shelbyville,  where 
it  was  ])urchased  by  a joint-stock  company,  and  at  pre.scnt  it  | 
is  doing  duty  in  the  office  of  the  Jlcmld,  the  Greenback  organ  of  | 
Shelby  county.  ' 

THE  .MORRISONVILLE  TI.MES. 

The  first  number  of  the  Times  was  issued  August  20th,  1875, 
'riiomas  Cox,  editor  and  projnletor.  The  j)aper  w:is  started  as  i 
an  independent  journal,  and  so  remains  to  the  present.  It  was, 
when  started,  a six-column  folio.  Air.  Cox  changed  it  to  a live- 
column  quarto.  It  was  afterward  changed  back  to  its  original 
form,  whicli  it  still  retains.  The  pul)lication  of  the  Times  con- 
tinued under  Air.  Cox’s  administration  until  December  30th,  1875, 
when  he  .sold  out  to  Al.  J.  Al)bott.  'I'he  latter  gentleman  remained 
in  j)ossession  of  it  until  .May,  1877,  when  he  sold  to  George  H. 
I’almer  A Son.  F.  M.  Calmer  a.ssumed  editorial  control.  He 
was  a fiixt-cla.ss  printer.  In  the  spring  of  1878  I\  Grundy  be- 
came iissociate  editor.  August  Kith,  1879,  the  offi(!e  was  leased 
to  Alessrs  Said  A I’oorman,  Palmer  A Son  still  retaining  own- 
ershij)  of  the  press  and  material.  On  the  2d  of  October,  1879, 


Steen  Bros,  purchased  the  office  of  Palmer  A Son,  and  from 
that  date  to  the  ])resent,  George  H.  and  Joseph  AV.  Steen,  have 
been  the  editors  and  publishers.  The  Times  has  a good  circula- 
tion. It  fairly  represents  the  business  growth  and  prosperity  of 
Alorrisonville.  It  is  edited  with  considerable  ability,  and  alto- 
gether it  is  a fair  specimen  of  the  enterprising  western  country 
journalism. 

In  this  advanced  and  progressive  age  all  societies,  organizations 
political  or  otherwise,  demand  an  exponent  or  proper  medium 
through  which  they  may  speak  to  the  world  and  make  their  wants 
known  to  mankind.  The  newspaper  offers  the  simplest  and  quick- 
est way  of  reaching  the  masses.  AVith  this  idea  in  view,  the 
Granger  and  Greenback  element  of  Christian  county  proposed  to 
start  an  organ.  Their  desire  culminated  in  action  the  result  of 
which  was  ; — 

THE  INDEPENDENT. 

The  first  number  made  its  appearance  in  Taylorville,  Alarch  25th, 
1875,  Alessrs.  Alallory  A Danley  proprietors  with  R.  V.  Alallory  as 
editor.  After  publishing  some  thirteen  numbers,  the  editor  states 
“ that  with  this  issue  will  close  his  connection  with  the  Independent, 
and  that  now  he  turns  over  the  business  to  Noyes  B.  Chapman  of 
Stonington.  Air.  Chapman  continued  the  publication  with  C.  F. 
Tucker  as  editor  until  July  30th,  1875,  when  it  pa.ssed  into  the 
hands  of  AI.  A.  Bates,  formerly  of  Bennet,  Ills.,  as  editor  and  pub- 
lisher. On  the  14th  of  January,  1870,  it  was  discontinued,  being 
then  in  its  forty-third  month,  for  the  want  of  support,  or  as  ex- 
j)ressed  by  the  editor,  “ hereafter  the  Independent  will  be  known  as 
one  of  the  things  of  the  past.”  The  ptiper  was  a four  page,  twenty- 
eight  column  sheet.  It  was  published  in  Alorrison’s  Brick,  cast 
side  square,  Taylorville. 

THE  F.\RMERS’  JOURNAL. 

The  first  issue  of  the  Journal  appeared  Alarch  2d,  1870.  It  was 
resurrected  from  the  Independent.  Alessrs.  Lewis  A Brown  w'ere 
the  editors  and  jiublishers.  Neither  of  the  parties  were  practical 
printers,  and  knew  nothing  of  the  mechanical  part  of  a newspaper 
office.  The  enterprise  was  therefore  to  some  extent  a failure.  The 
paper  was  continued  as  the  Granger  and  Greenback  organ.  The 
office  came  into  the  possession  of  J.  F.  Harner  on  the  31st  of  August, 
1870,  with  E.  AA”^.  Anderson  as  editor.  After  the  Journal  had  been 
published  one  year  by  Air.  Harner  he  changed  the  political  tone  and 
made  it  democratic,  and  it  has  remained  so  to  the  present.  No 
changes  have  taken  place  in  the  management  or  editorial  depart- 
ment since  it  came  into  Air.  Hamer’s  possession.  The  Journal 
office  is  the  best  equipped  for  all  purposes,  in  the  county.  Air. 
Harner,  as  a printer,  is  perhaps  more  widely  known  than  any  other 
member  of  the  craft  in  Illinois.  His  artistic  designs  and  wonderful 
ingenuity  in  bending  and  shaping  brass  rule,  so  as  to  create  designs 
and  figures  typical  of  trades,  professions,  or  business,  have  been  wide- 
ly coiiied  both  at  home  and  abroad.  His  skill  has  received  flatter- 
ing recognition  in  all  parts  of  the  country  where  artistic  art  is  ap- 
])reciated.  The  Journal  is  ably  edited  by  Air.  E.  AV.  Anderson. 
He  is  a gentleman  of  versatile  talent,  and  a writer  of  recognized 
ability.  He  brings  to  the  sanctum  a highly  cultivated  mind, 
aided  by  long  experience,  extensive  travel,  and  a close  observation 
of  men  at  home  and  abroad. 

DANA  WEEKLY  ARUl'S 

AA’^as  organized  and  i.ssued  by  Air.  A,  AA^  Chabin  upon  his  re- 
tirement from  tlie  Palladium.  The  first  number  made  its  appear- 
ance Alarch  15th,  1879.  The  first  five  numbers  were  printed  in 
Shelbyville,  Illinois,  and  brought  to  I’ana  and  distributed.  After 


HISTORY  OF  CHRISTIAN  COUNTY,  ILLINOIS. 


that  tlin3  Cul.  J.  A.  Ilaywai’d,  a capitalist,  and  one  of  Pana’s  most 
enterprising  men,  purchased  material  and  presses,  and  became  joint 
owner  with  Mr.  Chabin.  The  office  was  established  in  Pana.  The 
politics  of  the  Argm  was  democratic.  The  partnership  of  Chabin 
& Haywaixl  continued  until  January  1st,  when  Col-  Hayward 
became  sole  proprietor  and  editor.  lie  ehanged  the  politics  of  the 
paper,  and  it  is  now  republican  in  tone.  Col.  Hayward  is  yet  young 
in  journalism,  but  we  have  no  doubt  judging  from  the  characteristic 
and  vigorous  manner  with  which  he  steps  into  the  sanctum,  that  ere 
long  he  will  make  the  lircjas  one  of  the  best  newspapers  in  Central 
lllinoi.s. 

There  have  been  several  small  papers  and  monthlies  published  at 
different  times  in  the  county.  Among  these  were: — 

THE  POST-OFFICE  REGISTER. 

Published  by  E.  C.  Reece  and  printed  at  the  office  of  the  Gazette. 
Mr.  E.  P Sanders  also  published  a monthly  called  : — 

THE  CENTRAL  HOMESTEAD. 

The  first  number  appeared  in  February,  1878,  and  the  last  in  No- 
vember of  the  same  year.  It  was  also  printed  in  the  office  of  the 
Pana  Gazette. 

CONCLUSION. 

The  history  of  the  pro.ss  of  Christian  county  has  been  briefly 
traced.  There  have  been  some  trials  and  ob-stacles,  and  it  has  wit- 
nessed a few  failures,  but  it  is  fairly  representative  of  the  business 
growth  of  the  county. 

The  influence  and  character  of  the  press  have  grown  with  the 
material  wealth  and  intellectual  growth  of  those  they  have  I'epre- 
S3iited.  No  industry  or  business  can  show  a much  better  record,  or 
less  failures,  or  number  more  enthusiastic  and  patient  workers.  The 
number  of  newspaper  enterprises  organized  and  supported  in  the 
county,  speaks  well  for  the  liberality  of  its  citizens,  and  it  further 
shows  the  power  and  appreciation  of  printer’s  ink  and  editor’s  jien 
when  used  for  the  intellectual  advancement  of  the  people  and  the 
material  wealth  of  the  county. 


CHAPTER  XII. 

THE  COMMON  SCHOOLS. 

RY  R.  W.  ORR,  COUNTY  SUPERINTENDENT. 

N 1855  the  present  system  of  free  schools  may  propcriv  be 
said  to  have  been  inaugurated  and  entered  upon.  That 
date  proved  to  be  the  turning  point  in  the  history  of 
Illinois.  It  is  a fact  that  every  })erson  is  a factor  in  the 
society  in  which  he  or  she  lives.  Our  State,  early  recog- 
nizing this  fact,  sought  to  provide  liberal  means  and  facilities  for 
the  proper  education  of  those  into  whose  hands  the  affairs  of  state 
would  soon  pass.  The  influences  growing  out  of  the  system  of 
public  education  inaugurated  at  that  time,  are  worthy  of  the  at- 
tention and  critical  study  of  the  historian  and  philoso[)lier.  They 
have  affected  not  the  average  intelligence  alone,  but  the  character 
of  every  calling,  and  have  developed  advantages  j)reviously  un- 
realized. 

The  work  of  1855  was  not  the  beginning.  The  germ  of  the  free 
school  system  had  been  planted  long  anterior  to  this  date,  and  by 
proper  cultivation  it  bad  grown  to  be  a j)rolific  system.  The  idea 
of  making  knowledge  common  reaches  far  beyond  tlie  existence 
of  Illinois  as  a separate  territory.  Article  third  of  the  cele- 
brated ordinance  of  1787  declared  that  “ knowledge  is  necessary  to 


State  or 


75 


good  government  and  the  happiness  of  mankind,”  and  enjoined 
that  “schools  and  the  means  of  education  shall  forever  be  en- 
couraged.” 

Paper  manifestoes  are  not  often  dreaded  ; the  edicts  of  potentates 
seldom  survive  the  age  in  which  they  are  decreed,  and  proclama- 
tions rarely  have  existence  longer  than  that  of  the  paper  on  which 
they  may  be  written.  They  lose  their  efficiency  or  become  inopera- 
tive with  the  vicissitudes  of  time.  This  ordinance  seems  to  be  an 
exception.  It  became  the  nucleus  of  the  grand  system  of  education, 
the  benign  influencs  of  which  is  felt  and  recognized  in  every  home 
and  sphere  of  businc.ss  in  our  State  ; and  in  1887  the  people  of  Illi- 
nois who  will  not  reap  benefit  from  the  influences  of  its  declara- 
tions and  injunctions,  will  be  the  exception — will  be  a blank  in 
society,  and  but  little  above  the  serf. 

Some  of  the  encouragement  referred  to  in  this  document  came  in  a 
material  form  in  1818.  The  convention  which  framed  the  consti- 
tution under  which  the  state  was  admitted,  accepted  in  August  of 
that  year  a proposition  made  by  Congress  in  the  “ enabling  act” 
for  this  State,  and  made  A])ril  18th,  a]ipropriating  section  16  in 
each  township  to  the  State  for  the  use  of  the  inhabitants  of  said 
township  for  school  purposes ; also  three-sixths  of  five  per  cent,  of 
the  proceeds  of  public  lands  within  the  State  sold  by  Congress  after 
January  1st,  1819,  should  be  ap])ropriated  by  the  legislature  for  the 
encouragement  of  learning.  One-sixth  of  this  amount  was  to  be 
applied  to  a college  or  university,  and  thirty-six  sections,  or  one 
entire  township,  with  one  previously  reserved  for  that  purpose, 
should  be  reserved  for  the  use  of  a seminary  of  learning.  These 
funds  may  be  thus  classified;  the  State  school  fund  from  the  sales 
of  public  lands,  less  one-sixth,  which  is  the  university  fund ; the 
seminary  fund,  derived  from  the  sale  of  seminary  lands;  the  town- 
ship fund  resulting  from  the  sale  of  the  sixteenth  section.  The 
State  school  fund  in  187G  amounted  to  $613,362  96.  The  seminary 
fund  in  the  same  year  was  $59,838.72.  The  college  fund  in  1876 
was  $156,613.52.  The  proceeds  of  the  three  cent,  fund  were 
blended  in  1835,  and  were  increased  by  the  addition  of  the  surplus 
county  funds  in  the  hands  of  county  commissioners.  In  1836  was 
added  to  this,  by  act  of  Congress,  the  surplus  revenue  fund  then  in 
treasury,  and  the  whole  distributed  among  the  states  and  loaned  at 
six  per  cent,  per  annum  interest.  This  fund  to  the  State  alone 
amounted  to  $335,592.32.  The  interest  from  these  funds  was  to  be 
distributed  annually  to  the  counties  for  school  purposes.  These 
funds  under  the  control  of  the  State,  exclusive  of  the  county  fund, 
amount  to  $1,165,407  52. 

The  most  valuable  donation  from  Congress  for  school  purposes 
was  the  sixteenth  section  of  every  township.  In  fractional  town- 
ships not  having  this  section,  lands  equivalent  to  the  amount 
were  given  for  school  purposes.  This  donation  amounted  to  998,- 
449  acres.  Properly  managed  the  revenues  derived  from  these 
lands  would  have  released  forever  the  people  from  local  taxation 
for  school  purposes.  These  lands  were  nearly  all  sold  when  there 
was  but  little  demand  for  land. 

The  proceeds  of  the  sale  of  these  lands  were  placed  under  the 
control  of  a board  of  trustees  elected  for  each  township,  and  were 
to  be  loaned,  and  the  interest  derived  from  them  was  to  be  used 
for  the  suppoi't  of  schools.  In  1876  this  “township  fund”  in  the 
State  amounted  to  $5,081,629.91.  In  1828  the  legislature  unani- 
mously authorized  tlie  sale  of  thnsc  lands,  and  borrowed  the  money 
to  defray  the  current  expenses.  Rut  the  returns  from  these  mag- 
nificent gifts  were  too  meager  to  support  the  schools,  and  taxes  had 
to  be  added.  In  1835  a county  fund  was  created  by  an  act  of  the 
legislature,  which  provided  that  the  teachers  should  not  receive 
from  the  public  fund  more  than  half  the  amount  due  them,  and 


7G 


HISTORY  OF  CHRISTIAN  COUNTY,  ILLINOIS. 


that  the  surplus  should  constitute  the  principal  of  the  “county 
fund,”  which  amounted  to  §348,285.75. 

In  1876  the  common  school  fund  was  §1,513,693.27,  yielding  an 
annual  interest  of  §90,821.60.  The  same  year  the  township  fund 
of  the  State  was  §5,081,629.91,  yielding  an  income  on  the  amount 
loaned  of  §49,248.54.  In  1835  the  interest  on  school  moneys  bor- 
rowed by  the  State  was  first  distributed  to  the  counties. 

This  distribution  was  based  upon  the  number  under  twenty-one 
years  of  age,  and  one  half  of  these  funds  was  to  be  paid  to  teachers, 
and  the  remainder  was  to  constitute  a county  fund  forever  as  given 
above.  The  aggregate  of  these  funds  in  1876  was  over  six  and 
one-half  millions  of  dollars. 

In  1824  the  balance  of  the  overflowed  and  swamp  lauds,  after 
})aving  for  drainage  and  levees,  was  granted  to  the  counties  for 
educational  purposes.  In  1853  all  fines  and  penalties  imposed  in 
courts  of  records,  and  criminal  forfeitures  on  bails  w’ere  added  to 
school-resources,  and  school-property  was  exempt  from  taxation. 

The  first  free  school  .system  was  adopted  in  1825.  In  that  year 
Governor  Coles,  in  his  message  to  the  legislature,  advised  that  pro- 
vision be  made  for  the  support  of  common  schools.  During  the 
same  session  Senator  Joseph  Duncan,  of  Jackson  county,  introduced 
a bill  to  establish  a system  of  free  schools.  The  main  points  in  this 
school-system  were : 1.  The  schools  were  to  be  open  to  all  classes 
of  white  citizens  between  the  ages  of  five  and  twenty-one.  2.  Per- 
sons over  twenty-one  years  of  age  might  be  admitted  on  consent  of 
tlie  trustees  and  upon  agreed  terms.  3.  Districts  of  not  less  than 
fifteen  families  were  to  be  formed  on  petition  of  a majority  of  the 
voters.  4.  Officers  were  to  be  elected  and  sworn  in.  5.  The  legal 
voters  at  an  annual  meeting  could  levy  a tax,  in  money  or  mer- 
chantable produce  at  cash  value,  not  exceeding  one-half  of  one  per 
cent.,  subjet t to  a maximum  limitation  of  ten  dollars  for  one  per- 
son. 6.  The  state  apj)ropriated  annually  two  dollars  out  of  every 
one  hundred  received  into  the  treasury.  Five-sixths  of  this  was 
added  to  the  intcre.st  received  from  the  school-fund,  and  the  sum 
was  ai)portioncd  to  the  counties  according  to  the  number  of  white 
children  under  twenty-one  years  of  age.  The  counties  distributed 
this  among  the  districts;  but  no  district  Avas  to  receive  any  part  of 
this  fund  unless  it  had  sustained  a school  of  three  months  for  the 
year  in  which  the  distribution  was  made.  Tliis  distribution  was 
based  on  the  report  of  the  clerk  of  each  county  commissioners’ 
court,  which  Avas  made  to  the  secretary  of  state,  and  contained  an 
abstract  of  the  reports  made  hy  the  trustees  of  schools,  giving  the 
school-po[)ulation,  school-attendance,  and  expense  attending  this. 
This  .system  of  .schools,  designed  as  a means  of  affording  an  cduc.i- 
tion  for  all  the  children  Avithin  the  state,  Avas  truly  in  advance  of 
the  times.  It  met  Avith  violent  opposition  from  its  numerous  ene- 
mies. O|)position  to  taxation  Avas  great,  and  the  legality  of  the 
a[)proi)riation  from  the  state  treasury  Avas  denied.  So  violent  Avas 
this  oi)position  that  it  became  inoperatiA'C,  and  Avas  virtually  an- 
nuilcd  l)y  an  act  ai)pruved  Fel)ruary  17th,  1827,  Avhich  repealed 
the  fifteen-family  clau.se,  made  taxation  for  the  full  or  half  su|)port 
t)f  district  schools  o|)lional  with  the  voters  of  the  district,  and  for- 
bade the  taxation  of  any  one  for  the  support  of  any  free  school 
without  his  or  her  written  consent  luid  first  been  obtained.  Put 
neither  legislation  nor  per-onal  opposition  could  im])ede  the  growth 
nor  destroy  the  germ  of  the  frec-sehool  .system.  It  Avas  deeply 
rooted  in  the  fertile  .soil  of  the  public  mind,  itml  Avas  fostered  by 
the  true  friends  of  education.  Stibseijuent  legislation  had  but  little 
(■(feet  on  the  .schools  (iir  a decade,  when  an  act  providing  for  the 
incorporation  of  the  townships  biM  amc  ii  law.  It  proviiled  for  ti 
board  of  trustees  who  shonhl  luive  the  superintendence  of  “the 
businc.'S  and  affairs  of  the  township  in  relation  to  education  and 


schools  generally.”  In  this  law  appears  the  first  requirement  for  a 
certificate  of  qualification  from  the  township-trustees,  before  any 
teacher  could  be  paid  out  of  the  school-funds.  For  a time  it  seemed 
that  all  the  virtue  of  this  system  had  departed,  and  so  great  Avas 
the  educational  darkness  that  prevailed  that  it  might  very  properly 
be  said  that  Egypt  included  almost  the  Avhole  state.  But  some 
energy  and  educational  enterprise  remained  among  those  old  citi- 
zens, and  their  first  object,  after  securing  for  themselves  a home, 
Avas  to  provide  educational  facilities  for  their  children. 

In  1844  a “common-school  coiiA'ention”  Avas  held  in  Peoria. 
This  assembly  appointed  John  S.  Wright,  H.  M.  Weed  and  Thomas 
Kilpatrick  a committee  to  draft  a memorial  to  the  legislature  on 
the  subject  of  Common  Schools.  The  paper  drawn  up  by  them 
Avas  an  able  and  exhaustive  one,  and  pleaded  for  a state  superin- 
tendent with  a salary  of  nine  hundred  dollars,  and  recommended 
local  taxation  for  school-purposes.  This  movement  among  the 
teachers  served  to  bring  the  matter  before  the  legislature.  In  Feb- 
ruary, 1845,  an  act  was  approved  making  the  secretary  of  state  ex- 
officio  state  superirtendent  of  common  schools,  and  the  county 
school-commissioners  ex-officio  county-superintendents,  Avhose  duty 
it  should  be  to  examine  and  license  teachers.  It  also  provided  for 
local  taxation  on  a favorable  majority  vote.  All  the  district-tax 
for  schools  in  1846-47  did  not  reach  one  mill  on  the  one  hundred 
dollars.  The  auditor,  by  this  bill,  distributed  the  interest  on  the 
school-funds  in  j)roportion  to  the  number  of  children  under  twenty 
years  of  age  in  the  county. 

This  Avas  then  distributed  to  the  districts  by  the  county  su- 
perintendent. This  same  act  made  the  qualifications  of  teachers 
embrace  a knowledge  of  reading,  Avriting,  arithmetic,  geography, 
and  history.  But  it  required  little  more  than  an  elementary 
knoAvledge  of  these  branches.  Because  of  the  excessive  apathy 
among  the  peojde  on  educational  matters,  A^ery  little  was  done. 
Though  living  on  the  borders  of  civilization,  they  failed  to  recog- 
nise the  fact  that  education  is  the  distinguishing  characteristic 
between  civilized  and  savage  society.  The  relations  between  an 
intelligent  ploughman  and  a school-room  Avere  unrecognized,  and 
scholars  Avere  not  Avanted  in  frontier  life.  In  1847  the  standard  of 
qualification  of  teachers  had  to  be  lowered  because  of  an  insuffi- 
cient number  of  teachers  to  sui>ply  the  schools.  A certificate  could 
be  obtained  for  a knowledge  of  any  one  of  the  above-named 
branches.  Schools  Avere  by  no  means  numerous  even  Avith  this 
regulation. 

Ill  1849  the  standard  of  (qualification  Avas  again  raised  to  the 
former  grade.  The  directors  could  grant  special  privileges  as  to 
any  liranch.  This  Avas  something  like  the  provisional  certificate  of 
1872-3,  Avhich  authorized  the  directors  to  enqiloy  any  one  Avho  it 
Avas  thought  might  give  general  .satisfaction,  and  absorb  the  public 
funds.  Little  did  the  average  school  officer  then  know  of  the 
neces.sary  and  judicious  discrimination  as  to  the  local  needs  in  the 
clioice  of  a competent  teacher.  When  avc  see  employed  first,  in  our 
jiublic  schools,  the  poorest  teachers  Avho  are  licensed  by  the  county 
superintendent,  avc  are  made  to  feel  that  the  same  Aveakness  pre- 
vails to  some  extent  among  them  to-day. 

In  this  year  local  taxes  for  school  jiurposcs  Avcrc  changed  from 
fifteen  to  twenty-five  cents  on  the  hundred  dollars,  except  in  incor- 
porated towns  and  cities,  Avhere  fifty  cents  Avas  the  maximum. 

The  rate  of  taxes  Avas  rais('d  in  1857,  to  one  dollar  on  a hundred, 
by  a majority  vote.  The  taxable  property  of  tlie  state  was  at  this 
time  one  liiiudred  millions,  which  should  have  furnished  a fund  of 
one  million  of  dollars  for  school  purpo.scs;  but  the  amount  actually 
raised  did  not  exceed  §51,900.  'I'liis  shows  to  what  extent  inactiv- 
ity iti'cvailed  among  the  ma.sses,  and  that  the  law  was  a dead  letter. 


HISTORY  OF  CHRISTIAN  COUNTY,  ILLINOIS. 


77 


The  supervision  of  sdiools  was  given  to  the  district  officers,  wlio 
were  often  narrow-minded,  and  unfit  for  directing  school  methods 
and  school  work.  It  soon  became  apparent  that  something  more 
than  this  was  needed,  as  the  schools  increased  and  the  interest  in 
them  was  growing. 

The  spirit  of  j)rogress  had  been  aroused.  The  press  took  hold  of  | 
the  matter,  and  strong  leaders  urged  the  necessity  of  better  schools.  ■ 
From  the  east  and  south  came  a better  class  of  citizens,  to  make  1 
this  country  their  home.  They  brought  with  them  advanced  ideas  | 
of  education,  and  urged  its  importance  to  the  people  here. 

Convocations  met  and  discussed  the  question.  These  influences 
stirred  the  people  up  in  their  own  interests.  In  1854  the  legisla- 
ture created  the  separate  office  of  State  Superintendent  of  Public 
Instruction,  with  a salary  of  $1,600  per  annum.  The  first  state 
superintendent  was  to  be  appointed  by  the  governor,  and  should  | 
hold  his  office  till  his  successor  could  be  elected  and  qualified. 

H on.  Ninian  W.  Edwards,  aj^pointed  by  the  governor  as  the  first  i 
state  superintendent  under  this  act,  had  the  honor  of  framing  the 
bill  for  a Free  School  System.  It  met  with  ready  acceptance  from 
the  legislature,  and  took  the  form  of  law'  February  15th,  1855. 

It  forbade  the  employment  of  a teacher  for  a j)ublic  school  with- 
out a legal  certificate  of  qualification.  It  prescribed  a state  tax  of  j 
two  mills  on  the  dollar,  to  be  added  annually  to  the  six  per  cent, 
revenue  from  the  school  funds,  and  required  that  schools  should  be  j 
kept  in  operation  at  least  six  months  in  each  year. 

The  system  thus  inaugurated — the  first  of  which  really  made  | 
schools  free  by  providing  for  a sufficient  state  and  local  tax  for  their  j 
support — continues  substantially  the  state  system  to  this  day,  with  i 
alterations  in  some  details.  While  the  new  law  promised  more 
vigorous  action  among  the  people,  the  scarcity  of  competent  teachers 
was  a serious  trouble.  Whence  were  they  to  come  ? What  methods 
should  be  adopted  to  secure  them?  To  meet  this  W’ant  of  efficient 
teachers  and  supj)ly  the  increased  demand,  the  Northern  Normal  i 
was  established  in  1857.  From  this  time  the  change  in  the  grade 
of  teachers  became  apparent.  This  demand  for  competent  teachers 
increased  beyond  the  supply  so  much,  that  the  Southern  Normal  was 
established  in  1869,  for  the  especial  “training  of  teachers  for  the  j 
public  schools  of  this  State.”  County  Normal  Schools  were  in  the  ' 
same  year  authorized  “for  the  j^urpose  of  fitting  teachers  for  the 
common  schools.” 

The  vital  principle  of  the  present  law  is  this:  The  property  and 
wealth  of  the  state,  as  Avell  as  the  county,  shall  educate  their 
youth. 

]\Iany  important  changes  in  the  school  laws  were  made  by  the 
thirty-first  general  assembly.  The  law  as  amended  went  into  effect 
July  1st,  1879.  It  requires  all  school  officers  having  the  care  of 
school  funds  to  strictly  account  for  the  same.  The  county  superin- 
tendent must  annually  examine  the  books  and  aceounts  of  each 
township  treasurer.  The  school  month  is  made  to  correspond  with 
the  calendar  month.  To  make  legal  contracts,  teachers  must  have 
certificates  at  the  time  of  making  their  contract. 

Treasurers  are  elected  for  two  years.  Graded  schools  in  cities  ! 

are  placed  under  the  control  of  Boards  of  Education  instead  of  the  i 

city  council.  Efficient  means  for  refunding  indebtedness  are  | 
lU'ovided. 

The  corner-stone  of  our  educational  structure  has  been  well  laid, 
and  firmly  established  in  the  appreciation  of  an  intelligent  people  ; 
it  advances  gradually  towards  that  {)erfection  which  will,  no  doubt, 
be  attained  by  future  generations.  Older  states,  and  European 
nations,  view  with  admiration  and  study  with  delight  our  educational 
system,  andnow  many  of  its  branches  arc  ingrafted  into  theirs. 

Such  is  a rapid  survey  of  the  growth  of  the  common  schools  in 


Illinois.  They  are  the  fruitage  of  a generation’s  constant  and 
laborious  effort. 

The  schools  of  Christian  county  have  nobly  performed  their  part 
toward  the  general  advancement  of  the  cause  of  education  in  the 
state.  Laboring  for  many  years  under  very  great  disadvantages, 
without  properly  organized  districts,  with  very  inferior  school 
buildings,  the  early  settlers  of  the  county  struggled  manfully  to 
educate  their  children  with  the  limited  means  afforded  them.  It 
was  a custom  among  the  first  settlers  of  the  county,  (who  usually 
located  along  the  lumber  belts),  when  a few  families  became  settled, 
to  open  a school  somewhere  in  the  neighborhood. 


Sometimes  these  schools  were  held  in  a room  in  some  farmer’s 
house ; but  usually  they  were  held  in  rude  log  buildings,  wdth  a 
fire-place  occupying  the  most  of  one  end  of  the  house,  a log  sawed 
out  of  one  side  to  furnish  light  and  ventilation,  and  in  many  cases 
the  only  furniture  consisted  of  rough  puncheon  benches,  Avith  a slab 


fastened  to  the  wall  fur  a writing-desk.  The  Avriter  Avell  remembers 
his  first  experience  as  a teacher  in  Christian  county,  in  a school- 
house  A'ery  similar  to  the  one  described  above,  and  located  near  the 
Ralston  Bridge,  in  South  Fork  toAvuship. 

Many  of  the  most  substantial  jjrofessional  and  business  men  of  our 
county  received  their  rudimentary  education  under  these  disadvan- 
tageoAis  circumstances. 

The  first  school  in  the  county  of  which  Ave  have  any  record,  Avas 
taught  by  Elijah  Hanon  in  the  Avinter  of  1826-27.  This  school 
Avas  taught  two  miles  east  of  Taylorville,  in  a house  that  stood  on 
the  land  noAV  OAvned  by  W.  W.  Hall.  It  Avas  a log  school-house  of 
the  description  given  above.  In  order  to  convey  an  idea  of  the 
inconvenience  under  Avhich  the  people  at  this  early  day  labored,  it 
may  be  stated  that  Daniel  and  Martin  Miller  attended  this  school, 
and  resided  Avith  their  fiAther  at  what  is  knoAvn  as  the  “ EDan  Mill.” 
on  South  Fork,  a distance  of  about  fourteen  miles.  They  Avould 
Avalk  to  school  on  Monday  morning,  and  board  until  Fi-iday  even- 
ing AA’ith  a family  near  the  school-house,  and  again  Avalk  home. 
Daniel  JMiller  Avas  afterwards  elected  school  commissioner  of  the 
county. 

In  1831-2,  Archibald  McCullough  taught  a school  at  the  same 
place,  lie  is  said  to  have  been  a fine  scholar.  Robert  White 
taught  a school  at  CampbcH’s  point  in  1831-2.  The  school-house 
Avas  built  on  land  owned  by  Jo.so[)h  IMatthcAvs.  This  is  said  to  be 
the  first  house  erected  specially  for  a school-house  in  the  county. 

In  the  same  year  Michael  Archie  taught  a school  in  a house  on 
his  brother’s  farm,  on  Buckhart  creek,  near  Avhere  the  Springfield 
and  Decatur  road  crosses. 


78 


HISTORY  OF  CHRISTIAN  COUNTY,  ILLINOIS. 


Ill  1832-3,  Crosthwait  taught  a school  in  the  liouse  spoken  of 
above  on  Hill’s  farm.  lie  was  a professional  teacher. 

In  1834-5,  the  Hon.  II.  M.  Vandeveer  tauglit  the  first  school  in 
the  extreme  north  part  of  the  county.  The  building  in  which  this 
school  was  taught,  was  located  on  Mosquito  creek,  on  land  then 
owned  by  old  Mr.  Fletcher,  now  a part  of  the  land  owned  by 
iVIoses  Stafford,  on  the  Decatur  and  Sjiringfield  road. 

The  salaries  in  the  above  cases  ranged  from  eight  to  fifteen 
dollars  per  month. 

From  such  beginnings  as  these  our  schools  have  grown  to  their 
present  fiiir  proportions. 

In  1846  we  find  the  first  report  of  the  schools  of  the  county  made 
by  Daniel  Miller  to  Campbell  Thompson,  secretary  of  state  and 
ex-officio  state  sup’t  of  schools.  The  report  is  as  follows: 


AVhole  number  of  Schools  in  the  County G 

‘‘  “ Scholars  attending 173 

‘‘  ‘‘  Cliildren  under  twenty  years  of  .age 1,236 

Whole  amount  of  funds  for  School  purposes §69  03 

Averages  paid  Male  Teachers  per  month $14  00 

‘‘  Female  Teachers $10  00 

In  1878  the  present  county  superintendent  reported  as  follows: 

AVhole  number  of  Schools  in  the  County 158 

“ “ Scholars  attending 7,293 

Whole  amount  of  “State  School”  fund  for  the  County $ 8 o67  06 

“ “ Special  District  School  Tax $34,391  88 

“ “ of  Principal  of  Town  School  Fund $.58,466  13 

Fstimated  value  of  School  Property $140,725  00 

Average  w.ages  paid  Male  Teachers  per  month $40  50 

‘‘  “ “ Female  Te.achers $24  67 


The  above  rate  of  increase  in  the  number  of  schools  is  equalled 
by  the  quality  and  convenience  of  the  present  school  buildings  in 
the  county.  Commodiou.s,  well-ventilated  and  well-furnished  school- 
hou.ses  may  now  be  seen  on  all  sides  on  our  i)rairies,  as  well  as  along 
the  timber  lines ; while  the  magnificent  two  and  three-story  school 
buildings  that  adorn  our  cities  and  towns  attest  the  progressive 
intelligence  and  refinement  of  the  pre.sent  generation.  And  it  may 
safely  be  stated  that  the  methods  of  teaehing  and  the  qualifications 
of  teachers  have  kept  fairly  abreast  of  the  number  and  quality  of 
the  school  buildings. 

It  will  be  proj)cr  here  to  give  a brief  history  of  the  efforts  that 
liave  been  made  in  the  county  to  a.ssist  and  encourage  teachers  in  a 
thorough  pre])aration  for  their  work.  I refer  to  Teacher.s’  As.socia- 
tions  and  Xormal  Institutes. 

In  the  J'uiKi  Herald  of  January  4,  1858,  a call  was  issued  for  a 
meeting  of  “ teachers  and  others  interested  in  the  eau.se  of  educa- 
tion,” to  1)C  held  in  I’ana  on  the  2!)th  and  30th  days  of  January,  i 
18.58.  This  call  was  signed  by  F.  J>.  Hartshorn,  ])rincipal  of  the 
I’ana  Academy;  M.  fS.  Jicekwith,  editor  of  the  Herald;  F.  15.  ^ 

Hawley,  R.  W.  Orr,  W.  D.  ^'ermiHion,  Rev.  W.  C.  IMerritt  and 
others.  In  resi)on.sc  to  this  call  a number  of  teachers  and  others 
a.s.sembled  at  tlie  I’re.sbyterian  church  in  I’ana,  on  Friday  evening, 
January  20,  1858.  and  effected  a temporary  organization  by  elect- 
ing Dr.  TIiotiuLS  Fiidey  president  and  O.  O.  Alexander  .secretary.  ' 
A number  of  names  were  enrolled,  the  nece.ssary  committees  a|)-  j 
pointcfl,  iind  .‘uldrc.sses  delivered  by  Mr.  (iunning,  of  Hillsboro, 
and  Rev.  II.  .Merritt,  of  Rosemond.  On  the  next  day  a consti- 
tution was  adopted,  and  a pennanent  organization  elieetc'd  by  the 
<'leclioii  nf  Dr.  II.  I*'.  ( )’ l‘'ari(;ll,  president,  15.  R.  Ihiwley,  vice- 
president,  F.  15.  Ilartsliorn,  secretary,  and  Dr.  'riiomas  I'inley, 
treasurer,  'flic  executive  committee  consisted  of  Rev.  II.C.  Mer- 
ritt, M S.  Reekwilli  ami  .Mrs.  II.  R.  Hawley.  These  officers  were 
to  .serve  for  one  year. 


I have  been  thus  particular  in  describing  the  organization  of  this 
association  as  it  was  the  first  teachers’  organization  ever  made  in 
the  county.  The  name  adopted  for  the  organization  was  the 
“Christian  County  Teachers’  Association.” 

The  second  meeting  of  the  a.ssociation  was  held  in  Pana  on  the 
18th  of  March,  1858,  at  which  much  good  was  accomplished.  This 
meeting  was  addressed  by  Simon  Wright,  State  Agent,  and  Mr.  Mer- 
Avin,  of  Chicago. 

The  association  held  its  third  meeting  at  Taylorville,  on  the  20th 
of  August,  1858.  At  this  meeting  the  late  Dr.  Calvin  Goudy  took 
quite  an  active  part,  as  he  always  did  in  matters  pertaining  to  the 
public  welfare. 

The  fourth  meeting  of  the  association  was  held  in  Rosemond  on 
the  16th  of  October,  1858.  At  this  meeting  the  work  was  more  of 
the  nature  of  Institute  work  than  formerly,  and  it  was  resolved  to 
make  the  next  meeting  strictly  Institute  in  its  character. 

On  the  17th  day  of  December  in  the  same  year,  another  meeting 
was  held  at  Rosemond.  On  the  evening  of  this  day  an  able  educa- 
tional address  was  delivered  by  the  Hon.  S.  W.  Moulton.  On  the 
I following  day  Richard  Fdwards,  afterwards  president  of  the  State 
Normal  University,  delivered  a scholarly  address. 

The  sixth  and  last  meeting  was  held  at  Pana  March  17th  and 
18th,  1859. 

There  was  quite  a large  accession  to  the  membership  at  this 
meeting,  and  quite  an  interest  manifested  in  the  work.  It  ad- 
journed to  meet  at  the  call  of  the  executive  committee.  This  call 
never  Avas  issued.  Thus  closed  the  labors  of  the  first  teachers’  or- 
ganization in  the  county. 

No  further  efforts  Avere  made  in  this  direction  until  1870.  On 
the  10th  of  January,  of  this  year,  Mr.  W.  F.  Gorrell,  then  county 
superintendent  of  schools,  organized  the  first  regular  normal  insti- 
tute ever  held  iu  the  county.  This  Avas  also  held  at  Pana.  In 
addition  to  other  instructors,  Mr.  Piper,  of  Iowa,  president  Ed- 
Avards,  of  state  normal  school,  and  other  prominent  educators,  de- 
livered lectures  before  the  institute.  This  meeting  la.sted  six  days, 
and  resulted  in  much  good. 

The  second  session  of  this  institute  Avas  held  in  Taylorville,  com- 
mencing August  7th,  1870,  under  the  supervision  of  Superintendent 
j Gorrell.  This  se.ssion  lasted  six  Aveeks.  The  third  meeting  Avas 
[ held  at  Taylorville,  commencing  January  1st,  1871.  It  lasted  six 
I days,  and  Avas  largely  attended.  The  fourth  meeting  commenced 


under  the  management  of  Superintendent  Gorrell,  Avas  held  in 
Taylorville,  c'ommencing  on  July  22d,  1872,  and  continued  six 
Aveeks.  Much  good  resulted  to  the  cause  of  education  in  the  coun- 
ty from  these  normal  institutes. 

On  the  31st  day  of  August,  1874,  another  normal  institute  Avas 
organized  in  Taylorville,  under  the  management  of  R.  W.  Orr, 
then  county  superintendent  of  schools.  This  meeting  lasted  six 
days.  These  institutes  have  been  held  annually,  Avith  one  excep- 
tion, since  that  time. 

Jt  has  been  the  object  of  the  superintendent  to  have  the  instruc- 
tion in  these  institutes  largely  performed  by  borne  teachers.  In 
this  h(i  has  been  ably  seconded  by  the  leading  teachers  of  the 
county.  Prominent  among  thc.se  I wish  to  mention  J.  R.  Fdmonds, 
j)rincij)al  east  Avard,  Pana;  F.  S.  Ham,  princii)al  east  side  school, 
Taylorville;  S.  W Gulp,  principal  Morrisonville  school;  W.  C. 
(irillith,  formerly  principal  of  the  east  side  school,  Taylorville,  and 
'1'.  R.  Dakin,  of  15uckey  prairie. 

In  addition  to  the.se,  many  of  the  teachers  in  the  country  schools 
have  come  forward  and  ably  performed  the  work  assigned  them  in 
the  Avay  of  class  drill,  essays,  etc.  In  this  connection  I wish  also  to 


HISTORY  OF  CHRISTIAN  COUNTY,  ILLINOIS. 


79 


make  special  mention  of  the  lady  teachers  of  our  county  who  have 
nobly  contributed  to  the  success  of  these  teachers’  meetings. 

Prominent  educators  from  different  parts  of  the  state  have  also 
been  employed  to  deliver  lectures  at  each  of  these  meetings.  Of 
these  I will  mention  ex-state  superintendent,  B.  M.  Etter;  state 
superintendent,  James  P.  Blade;  Robert  Allyn,  president  of  the  | 
Boutlicrn  Illinois  Normal,  at  Carboudale,  and  president  Radford  of 
Eureka  college. 

As  an  adjunct  to  the  county  institutes,  local  or  township  organi- 
zations have  been  kept  up  in  most  parts  of  the  county  during  each  j 
school  year.  The  result  of  these  efforts  has  been  a marked  im- 
provement in  the  standard  of  the  qualification  of  our  teachers. 

Christian  county  has  also  been  fairly  represented  in  the  “ Btate 
Normal  University,”  at  Bloomington,  showing  that  our  people  ap- 
preciate the  advantages  of  a normal  training. 

In  the  following  list  I show  the  names  of  parties  who  have  at- 
tended from  the  county,  together  with  the  date  of  their  enrollment 
at  the  university,  so  far  as  I have  been  able  to  obtain  them.  If 
any  are  omitted  it  is  on  account  of  my  inability  to  obtain  their 
names. 

October  5th,  1857,  Henrietta  M.  Pope;  October  5Ji,  1857,  Henry  II.  Pope; 
January  20th,  1858,  Rufus  Angel;  January  20tli,  1858,  T.  L.  Bacon  ; Sep- 
tember 12th,  1859,  Walter  F.  Locker;  January  4th,  1800,  Kate  L.  Bacon; 
April  7tli,  1802,  Tlionias  N.  Lakin;  September  8 h,  1832,  Cliarlotte  Evans; 
September  lltli,  1802,  Sarah  E.  Worley;  April  10th,  1803,  Rebecca  A.  Rich- 
ardson; September  7th,  1803,  Charles  F.  Goodrich;  September  7th,  1803, 
Abraham  J.  Overholt;  September  7ih,  1863,  Stella  Bowling;  September  7lh, 
1803,  William  S.  Richardson;  September  7th,  1803,  D.  Dwight  Shumway;  i 

April  4th,  1804,  Franci.s  M.  Hewett;  September  10th,  1800,  Emma  A.  j 

Hawkes ; April  8th,  1807,  Mary  L.  ,Shaw  ; September  7th,  1808,  Noi  Goudy  ; 
April  24th,  1870,  William  O.  Robertson;  Septendjer  12th,  1870,  Robert  W. 
Johnson;  July  4th,  1871,  Ellen  B.  Travis  ; July  4th,  1871,  William  F.  Tra-  | 
vis;  January  0th,  1871,  John  W.  Augur ; Se[)tember  11th,  1871,  Rebecca 
May;  September  11th,  1871,  John  II.  Conner;  January  2d,  1872,  Harriett  E. 
Baldwin;  April  11th,  1872,  Mary  E.  Dunafon  ; April  8ih,  1872,  William  T. 
Kelley;  April  8th,  1872,  Joseph  W.  Miller;  September  7th,  1872,  Harriett 
E.  Lowe;  January  1st,  1873,  T.  F.  Myres;  January  1st,  1873,  Meredith  M. 
Myres;  January  1st,  1873,  Leon  Casalett;  January  1st,  1873,  William,!. 
Smith;  September  8th,  1873,  Clara  Work;  April  Gth,  1874,  Seabury  J.  Den- 
nis; September  14th,  1874,  Gilbert  II.  Sallee;  January  4th,  1875,  Alice  L. 

De  Garmo;  April  12th,  1875,  Joseph  Hastings;  April  12th,  1875,  Edwin  E. 
Rosenbery  ; September  6th,  1875,  William  H.  Johnson;  January  4th,  1876, 
Myra  A.  Compton ; September  4th,  1876,  Mary  L.  Davis;  September  4th, 
1876,  Alice  Shafer;  September  4th,  1876,  I^aac  J.  John.son;  April  2d,  1877, 

C.  W.  Stites ; Miss  Mary  L.  Parsons. 

The  following  are  the  names  of  teachers  who  attended  the  Btate 
Normal  from  other  counties  but  who  have  since  taught  in  this 
county:  AV.  C.  Griffith,  D.  M.  Gibbs,  Julia  Gibbs,  II.  C.  Bean.«, 

C.  H Andrews,  and  Alis's  Alpha  AVatts. 

The  importance  of  a normal  training  for  teachers  has  been 
clearly  shown  in  the  work  of  the  above  named  teachers  in  our 
county. 

The  first  County  School  Commissioners  (as  they  were  then  called), 
were  appointed  by  the  County  Commissioners’  Court. 

The  following  is  a list  of  names  of  school  commissioners,  and 
county  superintendents,  in  the  order  of  their  appointment  and 
election : 

II.  M.  A’^andeveer,  appointed  May  16,  1839;  John  W.  Wheal,  elected  Aug. 
2,1841;  Tho.s.  S.  Leachman,  Aug.  7,  1843;  Daniel  Miller,  Aug.  4,  1845; 
James  C.  Morrison,  Aug.  2,  1847 ; James  C.  Morrison,  Xov.  0,  1849;  James 
C.  Morrison,  Nov.  4, 18.51 ; Ricliard  S]>arks,  Nov.  8,  18.5.3  ; Jesse  Hanon,  Nov'. 

7,  1855 ; S.  S.  Cisna,  Nov.  3,  1857  ; S.  S.  Cisna,  Nov.  5,  1861  ; .Tames  A.  Rvan, 
Nov.  .3,  1863;  A.  McCa.skill,  Nov.  7,  1865;  W.  F.  Gorrell,  Nov.  2,  1809;  R. 

A^  . Orr,  Nov.  4,  1873 ; R.  AV.  Orr,  Nov.  6,  1877,  and  present  incumbent. 

The  Board  of  Supervisors  has  already  authorized  the  county 


superintendent  to  visit  each  of  the  schools  of  the  county  at  least 
once  in  each  year,  which  has  added  much  to  the  efficiency  of  their 
Avork. 

The  following  is  a list  of  the  present  township  treasurers  in  the 
county. 

AV.  D.  Coflman,  T.  13,  N,  1 W;  A.  L.  Augur,  T,  1.5,  N,  1 W;  J.  B.  Gordon, 
T.  14,  N,  1 E;  George  Wree,  T.  10,  N,  1 W;  John  W.  Sliake,  T.  12,  N,  3 AV; 
Daniel  Waters,  T.  15,  N,  3 AV;  Jolin  Eldredge,  T.  14,  N,  4 AV;  Iverson  Stokes, 
T.  14,  N,  3 AV;  J.  C.  Glower,  T.  12,  N,  4 AV;  John  Achinbach,  T.  13,  N.  3 AV; 
Enoch  Flemming,  T.  12,  N,  2 AA^;  John  A.  Bridge,  T.  12,  N,  1 E;  .Tames  San- 
ford, T.  11,  N,  3 AA";  C.  D.  Burdick,  T.  13,  N,  1 E;  A.  B.  Deeper,  T.  12,  N, 
1 W;  Martin  Brown,  T.  11,  N,  4 AA';  I*.  S.  Dodge,  T.  11,  N,  1 AA';  O.  Z.  Hous- 
ley,  T.  1.5,  N,  2 AV;  J.  P.  AVeber,  T.  1.3,  N,  4 AV;  G.  I.  Ladd,  T.  11,  N,  1 E; 
Ab  E.  Foy,  T.  13,  N,  2 AV;  John  AV.  Miller,  T.  11,  N,  2 AV;  J.  F.  Bauer,  T.  14. 
N,  2 AV;  Henry  Ivirk,  T.  14,  N.  2 W. 

In  a few  of  the  above  townships,  wliere  they  are  situated  in  two 
counties,  the  treasurers  reside  in  that  part  of  the  township  lying 
outside  of  Christian  county. 

Thus  I have  briefly  sketched  the  history  of  the  schools  of  Chris- 
tian county.  Supplied  as  the  county  now  is  with  excellent  and 
well  furnished  school-buildings,  thoroughly  trained  and  efScient 
teachers,  an  intelligent  and  liberal  class  of  citizens,  the  future  edu- 
cational prospects  of  the  county  are  bright  and  encouraging. 

The  imj)rovement  in  school  furniture  has  kept  pace  with  the 
change  in  the  kind  of  schoobhouses.  Foremost  among  the  manu- 
facturers of  school,  office  and  church  furniture  of  the  E^nited 
Btates  is  the  firm  of  A.  H.  Andrews  & Co.,  19.5  and  197  AVabash 
Avenue,  Chicago. 

For  the  benefit  of  patrons  of  this  work,  cuts  are  inserted,  ex- 
hibiting more  clearly  than  words  can  express,  the  beauty,  conve- 
nience and  durability  of  the  modern  styles  of  school  furniture. 


ONLY  FIFTEEN  INCHES  FROM  THE  EYE  TO  THE  BOOK. 


“1  ’■  shows  the  lid  turned  up  for  the  Book-E,isel. 

“ •1”  ‘,  “ position  for  the  lid  <is  a Writing  Desk. 

“II”  “ “ “ '*  wben  Desk  is  used  as  a Settee. 

Bimply  as  an  industrial  establishment,  the  manufactory  of  A.  II. 
Andrews  & Co.  is  one  of  the  most  successful  and  enterprising  in 
the  entire  west,  Their  names  have  literally  become  a household 
word,  not  only  throughout  the  length  and  breadth  of  this  country. 


80 


HISTORY  OF  CHRISTIAN  COUNTY,  ILLINOIS. 


but  also  in  many  foreign  lands,  wherever  comfort  in  the  school- 
room is  considered  a necessary  adjunct  to  facilitate  study. 

They  have  done  much  for  the  cause  of  education  by  beautify- 
ing and  rendering  attractive  the  school-rooms  of  the  country,  and 
in  providing  for  the  physical  comfort  and  bodily  rest  of  the  j)U})ils. 

In  this  special  field,  Mr.  A.  II.  Andrews,  the  senior  member  of 
the  firm,  has  always  been  an  enthusiast,  and  to-day  hundreds  of 
pupils  are  reaping  tlie  full  benefit  of  this  enthusiasm  ; while  hun- 
dreds of  thousands,  who  have  finished  their  school  course,  look 
back  upon  the  school-rooms  furnished  with  luxuriously  easy  scats, 
convenient  and  comfortable  desks,  as  the  pleasant  accompaniments 
of  their  school-life,  that  it  will  always  be  a joy  to  remember.  And 
the  house  of  A.  H.  Andrews  & Co.  were  the  pioneers  in  this  elabo- 
rate and  beautiful  style  of  school-house  furniture.  That  they  have 
imitators  and  copyists  is  not  strange — business  success  in  any  line 
will  always  attract  competition  and  attempted  imitation. 


THE  TRIUMPH  SCHOOL  DESK. 


The  patent  dovetailed  “Triumph” 
desk  is  the  most  perfect  in  its  propor- 
tions, and  much  the  strongest  and  most 
endurable  school-desk  made.  The  seat 
and  back  are  so  curved  as  to  enable 
the  pupil  to  maintain  an  erect  and 
healthful  j)osture,  and  to  perform  his 
work  with  ease  and  comfort  unknown 
in  the  use  of  chair-desks,  or  even  in 
the  most  of  the  folding-scat  desks.  By 
the  improved  method  of  construction, 
the  “dovetail”  process,  and  the  use 
of  steel  wire  rods  inserted  into  the  slat- 
like continuous  dowels  (see  cut  of  desk 
in  process  of  setting  up),  a degree  of  folded-rook-p.ox  locked. 

firmness,  strength  and  durability  is  . 

, . , , T 11  , ^ mtj  only  W inches  space. 

obtained  that  is  not  equalled  or  ap- 

jiroached  by  any  other  method,  and  which  more  than  doubles  its 
value. 


The  fidlowing  cut  illustrates  another  style  much  used.  The  seat 
and  back  is  the  .same  as  described  above.  The  end  of  the  desk  is 
open  iirstead  of  having  a lid  as  the  “Triumph.” 


Boards  of  directors  or  persons  wishing  . school  or  ofiicc  furnilurc 
may  be  sure  of  finding  what  they  need,  at  fair  ])riccs,  at  the  great 
cstabli-shmcnt  of  this  firm  in  (diieago. 


CHAPTER  XIII. 

PATRIOTISM  OF  THE  COUNTY. 

EFORE  entering  into  detail  of  the  causes  and  results  of  the 
Black  Hawk  war,  we  give  our  readers  a brief  sketch 
of  the  celebrated  warrior,  who  figured  so  conspicuously 
in  those  sanguinary  campaigns.  Macuta  Mahicatah, 
is  the  Indian  name  for  Black  Hawk.  He  was  born  in 
the  Sauk  village  in  the  year  1767,  and  was  an  Indian  of  considera- 
ble talent  and  sagacity,  shrewd,  and  eloquent  in  council;  he,  how- 
ever, deported  himself  in  that  demure,  grave  and  formal  manner 
incident  to  almost  all  Indians.  It  is  said  he  possessed  a mind  of 
more  than  ordinary  strength,  but  slow  and  plodding  in  its  operations, 
lu  comparison  he  could  not  be  classed  with  the  great  Indian  char- 
acters, such  as  Philip,  Brant,  Logan,  Tecumseh,  and  such  illustri- 
1 ous  men.  By  the  portraits  of  him  now  extant,  the  reader  of  char- 
acter will  readily  observe  in  his  large,  high  forehead  and  the  lines 
' Avorn  by  care  in  his  face,  massive  jaws  and  compressed  lips,  a char- 
! acter  indicative  of  more  than  ordinary  ability.  His  ambition  ivas 
I to  distinguish  himself  as  a great  warrior  ; yet  he  was  merciful  to 
the  weak,  the  women  and  children.  The  only  road  for  an  Indian 
tj  distinguish  himself  and  become  a great  man,  is  in  war.  So  soon 
as  he  kills  an  enemy  he  may  paint  on  his  blanket  a bloody  hand, 
which  Avill  entitle  him  to  a seat  in  the  councils.  In  1810  and  1811 
Black-Hawk  and  comrades  were  “ nursing  their  wrath  to  keep  it 
warm,”  against  the  whites.  A party  of  Sacs,  by  invitation,  went  to 
[ see  the  prophet  at  Tippecanoe.  They  returned  more  angry  against 
the  Americans.  A party  of  Winnebagoes  had  massacred  some 
whites,  which  excited  for  murder  the  Sac  band  headed  by  Black- 
! Hawk.  A part  of  his  band  and  some  Winnebagoes  attacked  Fort 
jNIadison  in  1811,  but  were  repulsed.  Black-Hawk  headed  the  Sacs 
in  this  attack. 

; In  1812  emissaries  from  the  British  arrived  at  Ilock  Island 
Avith  goods,  and  secured  Black-Hawk  Avith  five  hundred  Avarriors  to 
I go  Avith  Col.  Dixon  to  Canada.  When  they  reached  Green  Bay 
I there  Avere  assembled  there  bauds  of  the  OttoAvas,  PottaAvatomies, 
Winnebagoes  and  Kickapoos,  under  the  command  of  Col.  Dixon. 
Black-IIaAvk  and  band  participated  in  the  battles  of  River  Raisin, 
the  LoAver  Sandusky,  and  other  jilaces,  but  getting  dissatisfied  Avith 
I the  hard  fighting  and  small  amount  of  sjioils,  he,  and  tAventy  com- 
rades, left  for  the  Sauk  village  at  Rock  Island,  Avhere  he  remained 
for  many  years  at  peace,  Avith  the  excc])tion  of  a small  battle  on  the 
(Quiver  River  settlement  in  IMissouri,  in  the  presents  limits  of  St. 
Charles  County,  Avhere  one  Avhite  man  and  an  Indian  Avere  killed. 

The  princi])al  cause  of  the  Indian  troubles  in  ’31-’32,  better 
knoAvn  as  the  Black-IIaAvk  Avar,  Avas  the  determination  of  Black- 
IhiAvk  and  his  band  to  remain  in  their  ancient  village,  located  on 
Rock  River,  not  far  from  its  junction  Avith  the  Mississippi.  The  gov- 
ernment having  some  time  previously,  by  various  treaties,  purchas- 
ed the  village  and  the  Avhole  country  from  the  Sac  and  Fox  tribe  of 
Indians,  had  .some  ofthc.se  lands  suiweyed,  and  in  1828  some  of  the 
lands  in  and  around  the  ancient  village  Avere  sold  ; the  collision 
betAveen  the  two  races  for  the  })o.sse.<sion  of  the  property  jiroduced 
the  lir.-it  disturbance  between  the  Indians  and  the  goA’crnment. 
Seeing  that  Avar  was  inevitable  the  GoA'crnor  of  Illinois  made  a call 
on  the  militia  of  the  State  for  seven  hundred  men  on  the  26th  of 
May,  1831,  and  aiipointed  BeardstoAvn,  on  the  Illinois  river,  as  the 
jilacc  of  rende/.A’ous.  The  call  was  responded  to  Avith  that  prompt- 
ness characteristic  of  the  early  pioneers  of  this  State.  Their  habits 
of  life  Avere  such  that  all  were  familiar  Avith  the  rifle.  After  march- 
ing eight  (lay.s,  the  mountcul  militia  reached  a point  a few  miles 
below  the  Sac  village  on  the  iUi.ssiHppi,  Avhere  they  joined  the 


HISTORY  OF  CHRISTIAN  COUNTY,  ILLINOIS. 


81 


United  States  forces  under  Gen.  Gaines,  and  encamped  in  the  even- 
ing. The  next  morning  the  forces  marched  up  to  an  Indian  town 
])repared  to  give  the  enemy  l)attle  ; but  in  the  night  the  Indians 
had  escaped  and  crossed  the  ^Mississippi.  This  ended  Black-Hawk’s 
bravado  and  his  determination  to  die  in  his  ancient  village.  The 
nundjer  of  warriors  under  his  command  was  estimated  at  from  four 
to  six  hundred  men.  Black-Hawk  and  his  band  landed  on  the 
west  side  of  the  Mis.sissippi,  a few  miles  below  Rock  Island  and  there 
camped.  “ Gen.  Gaines  sent  a j>erem2)tory  order  to  him  and  his 
warriors  that  if  he  and  his  men  did  not  come  to  Rock  Island  and 
make  a treaty  of  peace,  he  would  march  his  troops  and  give  him 
battle  at  once.  In  a few  days  Black-Hawk  and  the 

chiefs  and  head  men  to  the  number  of  twenty-eight,  appeared  in 
Fort  Armstrong,  and  on  the  30th  of  June,  1831,  in  full  council  with 
Gen.  Gaines  and  Governor  John  Reynolds,  signed  a treaty  of 
peace.” 

THE  BLACK-II.IWK  WAR  IX  1832.  | 

During  the  winter  of  ’31-’32  rumors  were  rife  that  Black-Hawk 
and  his  band  were  dissatisfied,  restless,  and  preparing  for  mischief. 

A chief  of  the  Winnebago  Indians  who  had  a village  on  Rock  river, 
some  thirty  miles  above  its  confluence  with  the  Mississippi,  joined 
Black-Hawk,  who  was  located  on  the  west  bank  of  tlie  Father  of 
Waters.  The  chief  had  great  influence  with  Black-Hawk  and  his  [ 
band.  He  made  them  believe  that  all  the  tribes  on  Rock  river 
would  join  them,  and  that  together  they  could  bid  defiance  to  the  j 


the  river,  which  he  did  in  the  winter  of  1832.  That  move  jwoved 
to  be  their  destruction.  Through  his  influence  and  zeal  Black- 
Hawk  encouraged  many  of  the  Sacs  and  Foxes  to  join  him  at  the 
head  of  his  determined  warriors.  He  first  as.semblcd  them  at  old 
Fort  Madison  on  the  Mississippi ; subsequently,  marched  them  up 
the  river  to  the  Yellow  Banks,  where  he  pitched  his  tent  April  6th, 
1832.  This  armed  array  of  .savages  soon  alarmed  the  settlers,  and 
a general  panic  spread  through  the  whole  frontier,  from  the  Missis- 
sippi to  Lake  Michigan.  Many  settlers  in  terror  abandoned  their 
homes  and  farms,  and  the  Governor  decided,  on  the  16th  of  April, 
to  call  out  a large  number  of  volunteers  to  operate  in  conjunction 
Avith  Gen.  Atkinson,  who  was  in  command  of  the  regular  forces  at 
Rock  Island.  The  Governor  ordered  the  troops  to  rendezvous  at 
Beardstown  on  the  22d  of  April. 

Among  those  who  enlisted  from  Christian  county,  were  Samuel 
Wydick,  John  S.  Sinnet,  Martin  Hanon,  Jake  Gragg,  Jesse  Gragg, 
John  Baker.  Shadrack  J.  Campbell  was  a soldier  of  the  war  of 
1812,  and  also  was  a volunteer  in  the  Black-Hawk  war,  in  the 
campaign  of  1832. 

The  force  marched  to  the  mouth  of  Rock  river,  where  Gen. 
Atkinson  received  the  volunteers  into  the  United  States  service  and 
assumed  command.  Black-Hawk  and  his  ivarriors  were  still  up  on 
the  Rock  river. 

The  army  under  Atkinson  commenced  its  march  up  the  river  on  j 
the  9th  of  May.  Gov.  Reynolds,  the  gallant  “Old  Ranger,” 
remained  with  the  army,  and  the  President  recognized  him  as  a j 
IMajor-General,  and  he  was  paid  accordingly.  His  jiresence  did  ! 
much  toAvard  harmonizing  and  conciliating  those  jealousies  Avliich 
generally  exist  between  volunteers  and  regular  troops.  Major  John 
A.  Wakefield  and  Col.  Ewing  acted  as  sj)ies  for  a time  in  the  cam- 
paign of ’32,  to  discoA'er  the  location  of  the  enemy,  if  possible.  A j 
IMr.  Kinney  acted  as  guide  for  them ; he  understood  the  Sac  dialect. 

On  the  14th  of  May,  1832,  Major  Stillman’s  command  had  a .sort 
of  running  battle  with  the  Indians  at  or  near  Avhat  is  now  known 
as  Stillman’s  Run,  a small,  sluggish  stream  ; in  the  engagement 

n 


j eleven  Avhite  men  and  eight  Indians  Avere  killed.  Black-Hawk  and 
his  Avarriors  fought  Avith  the  spirit  born  of  desperation.  Black- 
I HaAvk  says  in  his  book  that  he  tried  at  Stillman’s  Run  to  call  back 
his  Avarriors,  as  he  thought  the  Avhitcs  Avere  making  a sham  retreat 
i in  order  to  draAV  him  into  an  ambuscade  of  the  Avhole  army  under 
’ Gen.  Whiteside.  The  hasty  retreat  and  rout  of  Stillman  and  his 
army,  Avas  in  a measure  demoralizing  to  the  entire  force;  undoubt- 
' edly  the  cause  of  tlie  defeat  Avas  a lack  of  discipline.  When  Gov. 

I Reynolds  learned  of  the  disaster  of  Major  Stillman,  he  at  once 

ordered  out  tAVO  thousand  additional  volunteer-s.  With  that  promp- 
titude characteristic  of  the  old  “ War  Governor,”  he  Avrote  out  by 
candle-light  on  the  evening  of  Stillman’s  defeat,  the  order  for  the 
additional  troops,  and  by  daylight  dispatched  John  Ewing,  Robert 
BlackAA'ell  and  John  A.  Wakefield,  to  distribute  the  order  to  the 
variou.s  counties.  The  volunteers  again  promptly  responded.  On  the 
10th  of  July  the  army  disbanded  for  want  of  provisions.  Gen. 
Scott  arrived  soon  after  Avith  a large  force  at  the  post  of  Chicago, 
to  effect  if  possible  a treaty  with  the  Indians.  Small  detachments 
of  Black-Hawk’s  Avarriors  Avould  persistently  hang  on  the  outskirts 
of  the  main  body  of  the  army,  thieve  and  plunder,  and  pounce  upon 
and  kill  the  lonely  sentinel  or  straggling  soldier.  On  the  15th  of 
July,  the  soldiers  Avere  revieAved,  and  those  incapable  of  duty  Avere 
discharged  and  returned  home.  Poquette,  a half-breed,  and  a 
Winnebago  chief,  the  “ White  Pawnee,”  Avere  selected  for  guides  to 
the  camp  of  Black-IIaAvk  and  band.  Several  battles  and  skirmishes 
occurred  Avith  the  enemy,  the  principal  of  Avliich  AA'as  on  the  banks 
of  the  Mississii)pi,  Avhere  the  Avarriors  fought  Avith  great  desperation  ; 
over  one  hundred  and  fifty  Avere  killed  in  the  engagement  and  large 
I numbers  droAAmed  in  attempting  to  SAvim  the  riv^er.  After  the  battle 
I the  volunteers  AA'ere  marched  to  Dixon,  Avhere  they  Avere  discharged. 
This  ended  the  campaign  and  the  Black-HaAvk  aatu-.  At  the  battle 
of  the  Bad  Axe,  Black-IIaAvk  and  some  of  his  AA'arriors  escaped  the 
Americans,  and  Avent  up  the  Wisconsin  River,  but  subsequently 
surrendered  himself.  Fort  Armstrong  on  Rock  Island,  Avas  the 
place  appointed  Avhere  a treaty  Avould  be  made  Avith  the  Indians, 
but  before  it  AA-as  effected  that  dreadful  scourge,  the  cholera  of  ’32, 
visited  not  only  the  regular  army,  de2)leting  its  ranks  far  more 
rapidly  than  the  balls  of  the  Indians  had  done,  but  it  also  sought 
out  its  many  victims  in  the  dusky  bands  of  the  Black-Hawk  tribe. 

On  the  15th  Sejifember,  1832,  a treaty  Avas  made  Avith  the  Winne- 
bago Indians.  They  sold  out  all  their  lauds  in  Illinois  and  all 
south  of  the  Wisconsin  RiA^er  and  Avest  of  Green  Bay,  and  the  gov- 
ernment gav'e  them  a large  district  of  country  Avest  of  the  Missis- 
sijipi  and  ten  thousand  dollars  a year  for  seven  years,  besides  pro- 
viding free  schools  for  their  children  for  tAventy  years,  oxen,  agri- 
cultural implements,  etc.,  etc. 

Sejitember  21st,  1832,  a treaty  Avas  made  Avith  the  Sac  and  Fox 
tribes,  on  Avhich  they  ceded  to  the  United  States  the  tract  of  country 
out  of  Avhich  a fcAV  years  afterwards  the  State  of  loAva  Avas  formed. 
In  consideration  of  the  aboA-e  cession  of  lands,  the  government  gave 
them  an  annuity  of  tAventy  thousand  dollars  for  thirty  years,  fortv 
kegs  of  tobacco  and  forty  barrels  of  salt,  more  gun-smiths, 
blacksmith  shop,  etc.,  etc.,  six  thou.sand  bushels  of  corn  for  imme- 
diate siqiport,  mostly  intended  for  the  Black-Hawk  band. 

The  treaties  above  mentioned  terminated  favorably,  and  the  se- 
curity resulting  therefrom  gave  a neAV  and  rai)id  inqietus  to  the  de- 
A'elopment  of  the  state,  and  now  enterprising  towns  and  villages, 
and  beautiful  farms  adorn  the  rich  and  alluvial  prairies  that  be- 
fore Avere  only  desecrated  by  the  Avild  bands  Avho  inhabited  them. 

THE  MEXICAN  WAR. 

In  the  Avar  Avith  Mexico  in  1846-47,  Illinois  furnished  six  regi- 

' O 


82 


HISTORY  OF  CHRISTIAN  COUNTY,  ILLINOIS. 


ments  of  men  as  follows:  First  regiment,  commanded  by  Col.  John 
J.  Hardin ; Second  regiment,  commanded  by  Col.  William  II.  Bis- 
sell ; Third  regiment,  commanded  by  Col.  Ferris  Forman  ; Foiulh 
regiment,  commanded  by  Col.  Edward  D.  Baker ; Fifth  i-egiment, 
commanded  by  Col.  James  Collins;  Sixth  regiment,  commanded  by 
Col.  Edward  W.  Newby. 

As  the  records  have  not  yet  been  transcribed  from  the  War  De- 
partment at  Washington,  we  have  had  to  rely  solely  on  the  facts 
furnished  by  those  now  living  in  the  county  who  served  in  the 
war. 

This  county  had  no  regular  organization  in  that  war,  but  bad 
several  volunteers,  who  enlisted  in  other  regiments.  A company 
was  raised  and  reported  by  its  captain,  II.  M.  Vandeveer,  but  it 
was  not  accepted,  as  the  companies  and  regiments  were  all  organ- 
ized. Several  of  her  sons,  however,  entered  the  ranks  and  did  good 
service  for  their  country  in  helping  forward  the  cause  in  which  they 
were  enlisted.  II.  M.  Vandeveer  became  assistant  quartermaster, 
with  the  rank  of  captain.  He  was  at  the  battle  of  Buena  Vista,  on 
Gen.  AVool’s  staff,  and  bore  Gen.  Taylor’s  famous  di.spatch,  “A 
little  more  grape,  Capt.  Biagg.”  Among  those  who  went  to  that 
war  from  this  county  (and  some  others  who  are  now  residents  of 
this  county),  may  be  mentioned  Dial  Davis,  John  Sanders,  and 
AVesley  AA’hite,  who  enlisted  in  tlie  Fourth  regiment,  company  C, 
commanded  by  Capt.  Isaac  C.  Pugh  ; George  Ilorworth,  enlisted  in 
company  A,  same  regiment;  Christoi)her  C.  Hollier,  enlisted  in 
company  E,  Fourth  regiment ; Henry  Sanders  and  J.  AV^.  AVise  in 
Capt.  Koberts’  company;  A.  P.  Miller,  enlisted  in  Capt.  Hurt’s 
company;  others  were  Keuben  AA^ilkinson,  Jo.se])h  AVydick,  Henry 
Sharp,  John  Sharj),  Fletcher  Haines,  James  C.  Christian,  Henry 
Ferguson,  John  Craig. 

THE  WAR  FOH  THE  UNION, 

I'RO.M  DATA,  I!Y  THE  RATE  DR.  CALVIN  GOUDY. 

The  war  of  the  rehellion  commenced  with  the  firing  on  Fort 
Sumter,  in  Ai)ril,  18G1  ; and  ended  with  the  surrender  of  Gen. 
Lee  and  his  army  to  Gen.  Grant,  near  iliehmond,  Va.,  on  the  9th 
of  vVpril,  1805.  The  war  over,  at  once  the  reduction  of  the  army 
began.  Illinois  had  in  the  field  150  regiments  of  infantry;  seven- 
teen regiments  of  cavalry;  and  two  regiments  of  light  artillery. 
The  total  aggregate  force  in  the  field  was,  in  infantry,  185,941  ; 
cavalry,  32,082;  artillery,  7,277 — making  a grand  total  of  225,300 
men.  Ajiprehensions  were  exjmessed  by  many  that  the  disband- 
ment of  .so  many  soldiers  among  the  peojde,  fresh  from  the  army, 
and  the  withdrawal  of  all  military  lestraint  and  control  over  them, 
would  be  productive  of  di.sorder,  misrule  and  crime,  to  an  un])iccc- 
dented  degree  in  the  country.  But  time  has  shown  that  all  such 
antieijiations  and  fears  were  groundless ; for  with  a wonderful  ra- 
jiidity,  these  vast  armies  of  the  Fnion  melted  away  and  returned 
to  their  varied  jicaceful  jmrsuits  in  civil  life;  and  the  “legions  that 
a few  years  ago,  in  number,  in  solidity,  <liscii)line  and  jmoof,  were 
witliout  antety[)C  in  the  world’s  history,  may  to-day  be  found  in  the 
work-shojt,  at  the  bench,  in  the  busy  marts  of  trade,  in  the  manu- 
factories, and  on  tlic  farm  ; and  their  members  have  manifested  to 
the  worhl,  that  as  citizens  at  home,  they  know  as  well  how  to 
respect  the  nation  s laws,  as  they  know  howto  vindicate  them  in 
the  field  against  armed  rebellion  or  invading  forces.” 

DU  A FT. 

,\t  first  it  was  determined  to  rely  U[)on  the  spontaneous  move- 
ment of  ilie  ]>eople  to  furnish  the  nece.ssary  (juntas  of  soldiers  by 
volunteering;  but  this  was  found  inadeejuate;  and  the  magnitude 
of  the  contest  made  it  necessary  to  re.sort  to  the  draft.  'I'his  was 


very  unpopular  and  distasteful  to  the  people.  Every  apjiliance  was 
made  to  evade  it.  Desertions  were  not  unfrequent.  But  the  strong 
arm  of  the  Government  enforced  the  measure.  The  draft  was 
based  on  the  census  of  1800.  Christian  county  had  a pojndation  of 
10,475.  Several  enrollments  were  made.  The  first,  in  1803,  showed 
a force  of  2,155  persons  subject  to  military  duty  in  this  county  ; a 
second  enrollment,  in  1804,  showed  2,512  men.  The  latter  enroll- 
ment was  view'ed  with  distrust,  and  looked  upon  as  excessive,  inas- 
much as  it  exhibited  a marked  increase,  when,  during  the  same 
time,  the  county  had  been  depleted  of  large  numbers  who  had 
already  entered  the  service.  The  officers  in  charge  of  the  duty, 
acting  under  instructions,  took  in  all  classes,  between  the  ages  of  21 
and  45 ; the  blind,  the  halt,  and  the  lame,  without  regard  to  their 
manifest  unfitness  for  military  duty;  thus  putting  them  to  unneces- 
sary trouble  and  expense  to  be  excused.  A revised  enrollment  w’as 
demanded  and  made  January  1st,  1805,  which  reduced  the  number 
to  1,532  men. 

President  Lincoln  called  for  300,000  men,  October  18th,  1803  ; 
for  500,000,  February  1st,  1804;  for  200,000,  March  4th,  1804;  for 
500,000,  July  18th,  1804;  for  300,000,  December  19th,  1804 — in 
all  1,800,000.  Illinois’  quota  177,747.  Christian  county’s  quota 
1,449 — raised  by  volunteers  and  draft,  1,309 — leaving  a deficit  of 
80,  when  the  w ar  closed,  and  recruiting  ceased  by  order  of  the  Sec- 
retary of  AA^ar,  under  date  of  April  13th,  1805. 

The  first  draft  was  ordered  to  be  made  Sept.  19th,  1804,  in  the 
several  precincts  in  the  county,  where  the  quota  had  not  been 
filled  by  volunteers.  Silas  Chadwick  and  James  M.  Crabb  were 
among  the  conscripted  from  the  Taylorville  Precinct.  Silas  Chad- 
Avick  w’as  killed  soon  after  at  the  battle  of  Franklin,  Tennessee, 
and  James  M Crabb  furnished  a substitute  at  a cost  of  $500,  paid 

by  himself.  The  county  did  not  come  to  the  relief  of  those  first 

drafted,  but  reserved  its  charity  for  the  benefit  of  those  taken  in 
the  second  draft,  at  Jacksonville,  under  the  call  of  Dec.  19th,  1804. 
The  course  adopted  Avas  manifest  injustice  to  those  first  drafted. 

All  drafted  men,  in  the  county,  should  have  shared  alike  in  its 

benefits. 

The  (juota  of  Christian  county,  under  the  call  of  Dec.  19th,  1804, 
Avas  257,  apportioned  to  the  jirecincts  as  folloAvs : 


SUB.  DIST'S. 

PRECINCTS. 

QUOTAS. 

SUB.  DIST'S. 

PRECINCTS. 

QUOTAS. 

N.>.  19 

..Buckhart 

38. 

No.  26 

Taylorvitle 

“ 20  .... 

..Stoniugton 

18. 

“ 27 

Nevada 

....  12. 

“ 21 

.Paua 

12. 

“ 28 

.Upper  Bear  Creek  12. 

< o.> 

..North  Fora... 

42. 

“ 29 

Lower  South  Fork  16. 

23 

..Tacusa  (assum 

ptioip  19. 

“ 30 

Locust 

“ 24  .... 

..Rosemond 

9. 

— 

“ 25 

..Lower  Bear  Creek  19. 

Total 

257 

The  con 

nty  court,  in 

special  session,  F eb. 

20th,  1805, 

adopted 

measures  looking  to  the 

relief  of  the  257  conscripted  men 

of  this 

county.  They  ordered  a tax  of  $2.50  on  the  one  hundred  dollars’ 
Avorth  of  taxable  property  of  the  county,  and  directed  a bounty  of 
$350  to  be  paid  to  any  volunteer  or  drafted  man  until  the  quota 
of  the  county  Avas  filled.  The  bonds  were  issued  in  March  payable 
in  one  year.  The  Avar  closed,  and  all  recruiting  Avas  ordered  by 
the  Avar  department  to  be  susiiendcd  on  Ajiril  Pith,  1805.  But 
149  bonds  had  been  issued,  aggregating  a cost  to  the  county  of 
$52,150,  and  interest,  $5,215.  The  jniblic  mind  Avas  resti\m  about 
the  bonds.  The  comity  court,  at  their  December  term,  1805,  ap- 
pointed II.  M.  A'andeveer  and  Jas.  C.  Morrison  as  agents  to  exam- 
ine the  records,  and  ascertain  the  number  of  men  furnished  by  this 
county,  who  Avould  legally  be  entitled  to  the  war  bonds.  AVhen 
Kichmond  fell  on  the  first  of  Ajiril,  1805,  not  a bond  had  gone  out 
of  the  office  of  the  county  clerk.  Prominent  men  of  the  county 


IJL^TORY  OF  CHRISTIAN  COUNTY,  ILLINOIS. 


83 


urged  the  withholding  of  the  bonds  for  a few  dayg,  to  see  the  issue 
of  events.  But  it  was  not  heeded.  Those  in  cliarge  of  the  matter 
at  Jacksonville  managed,  in  the  course  of  ten  days,  to  throw  out 
149  war-bonds,  and  burden  the  county,  at  their  maturity,  with  a 
debt  of  $57,365.  These  agents  were  appointed  to  probe  the  matter 
to  its  bottom.  They  reported  to  the  court,  that  “ they  had  made 
some  progress  in  regard  to  the  number  of  bonds  issued,  but  they 
encountered  difficulties  at  Springfield,  as  Col.  Oakes  had  packed 
up  the  papers  to  send  to  the  war-department,  but  proffered  all  the 
aid  he  could  furnish  in  the  premises.”  A tax  was  levied  by  the 
county  court,  and  the  bonds  paid  off  at  maturity  in  1866,  without 
the  citizens  seemingly  feeling  it. 

soldiers’  aid  society. 

A society,  under  this  caption,  was  organized  by  the  ladies  of 
Taylorville.  Its  object  was  to  furnish  mittens,  socks  and  articles 
for  the  hospital,  for  the  u.se,  benefit  and  comfort  of  the  “sodger-boys 
gone  to  the  wars,”  from  this  portion  of  the  county.  Their  object 
was  laudable ; and  it  was  very  natural  for  a mother’s  heart  to  feel 
for  her  boy  as  the  cold,  bleak  days  of  winter  began  to  approach. 
How  cold  would  be  his  hands  as  he  bore  his  musket  along  in  the 
weary  marches  of  the  day.  They  held  their  meetings  frequently, 
and  entered  on  their  work  with  commendable  zeal,  and  soon  had  a 
box  of  these  necessary  articles  prepared  and  sent  forward  to  the 
front.  The  “boys  in  blue”  were  then  camped  at  Holla,  Mo.,  and 
were  glad  to  think  they  were  held  in  dear  remembrance  at  home; 
but  the  U.  S.  Commissary  had  anticipated  the  ladies  in  furnishing 
these  comforts. 

The  officers  of  the  society  were  Mrs.  Dr.  Goudy,  President;  Mrs. 
W.  W.  Anderson,  Vice  President;  Mrs  Dr.  Kockwell,  Secretary; 
Mrs.  W.  A.  Goodrich,  Treasurer;  and  Hattie  Goodrich,  Mrs.  Maj. 
Shumway  and  Mrs  Paden,  Directresses. 

FOURTEENTH  INFANTRY. 

This  regiment  was  organized  under  the  call  of  May  loth,  1861, 
and  was  mustered  into  the  U.  S.  service  for  three  years  at  Jackson- 
ville, 111  , on  the  25th  of  May,  1861.  It  remained  at  Camp  Duncan, 
Jacksonville,  until  the  latter  part  of  June  for  instruction,  when  it 
moved  to  (Quincy,  and  thence  to  Missouri,  July  5th,  where  it  did 
good  service.  It  left  Holla,  Mo.,  for  Jefferson  City,  under  Gen. 
Fremont,  on  his  memorable  campaign  to  Springfiehl,  Mo  , after 
Gen.  Price,  and  went  into  winter-quarters  at  Otterville.  In  Feb- 
ruary, 1862,  it  was  ordered  to  Fort  Donaldson,  and  arrived  the 
day  after  its  surrender,  and  was  placed  in  Gen.  S.  A.  Ilurllturt’s 
brigade.  Col.  Palmer  was  promoted  to  brigadier-general,  and 
IMajor  Hall  was  made  colonel.  It  was  in  the  sanguinary  engage- 
ments of  the  6th  and  7th  of  April,  1861,  when  the  regiment  first 
smelt  gunpowder  from  the  enemy.  Here  it  lost  half  its  number. 
The  colors  had  forty-two  bullet-holes  through  them,  which  attest 
the  dangers  and  gallantry  of  the  command.  It  was  in  the  last 
grand  charge,  in  the  advance,  led  by  Col.  Hall,  on  the  evening  of 
the  7th  of  April,  that  Gen.  Veatch,  in  his  official  report,  says; 
“Col.  Hall,  of  the  14th  Illinois,  led  his  regiment  in  that  gallant 
charge  on  Monday  evening,  which  drove  the  enemy  beyond  our 
lines,  and  closed  the  struggle  of  that  memorable  day.” 

The  regiment  took  an  active  part  in  the  siege  of  Corinth.  After 
the  evacuation,  it  proceeded  to  Memphis,  and  thence  to  Bolivia, 
Tenu.  It  was  in  an  eight  hours’  fight  on  the  Hatchie  river,  and 
went  into  winter-quarters,  1862-3,  at  Lafayette,  Tcnn.  Early  in 
the  spring  it  was  ordered  to  Vicksburg,  where  it  took  part  in  the 
siege  of  that  stronghold,  until  its  final  fall  on  the  4th  of  July,  1863. 
It  was  at  the  siege  of  Jackson,  Miss.  In  August  it  moved  to 


Natchez,  and  from  thence,  across  the  swamps  of  northern  Louisiana 
to  Harrisonville,  on  the  Wachita  river;  captured  Fort  Beauregard, 
and  accompanied  Gen.  Sherman  on  his  raid  on  Meridian,  Miss. 
After  its  return,  a large  portion  re-enlisted  as  veterans,  their  time 
being  nearly  out.  The  veterans  w'ere  furloughed,  and  many  re- 
turned home.  On  their  return  they  formed  part  of  the  army  in 
advance  on  Atlanta.  Here  the  14th  and  15th  Illinois,  who  were 
together  since  the  fall  of  1862,  sharers  of  each  other’s  sorrows  and 
joys,  weary  marches  and  honorably-earned  laurels,  were  consoli- 
dated into  the 

14th  and  1.5tii  Illinois  veteran  battalion. 


I 


In  October,  1864,  rebel  Gen.  Hood  attacked  Gen.  Sherman’s 
rear  forces,  guarding  the  railroad,  when  a large  number  of  the  bat- 
talion were  killed,  and  the  major  part  of  the  balance  were  taken 
prisoners  and  sent  to  Andersonville  prison.  Those  who  escaped 
capture  were  mounted  and  acted  as  scouts  on  Gen.  Sherman’s  grand 
march  through  Georgia  to  the  sea,  and  were  at  the  battle  of  Ben- 
tonville,  N.  C. 

At  Goldsboro,  N.  C.,  in  the  spring  of  1865,  the  battalion  organi- 
zation was  discontinued;  and  seven  one-year  companies,  new’  re- 
cruits, were  assigned  March,  1865,  from  the  north  to  fill  up  the  two 
regiments.  Col.  Hall  w’as  again  assigned  to  the  command  of  the 
14th  regiment.  It  wais  in  the  grand  review  of  Sherman’s  army  at 
Washington  City,  May  24th,  1865.  It  then  proceeded,  by  rail  and 
river,  to  Louisville,  Ky.;  thence,  by  river,  to  Fort  Leavenworth, 
Kansas;  thence  marched  to  Fort  Kearney,  and  back.  It  was 
mustered  out  at  Fort  Leavenworth,  Kansas,  Sept.  16th,  1865, 
arriving  at  Springfield,  Illinois,  Sept.  22d,  1865,  where  it  received 
final  payment  and  discharge.  The  commanding  officer  at  the  close 
of  service  was  Brevet  Brig.  Gen.  Cyrus  Hall,  and  the  aggregate 
strength  since  organization  2,015. 

The  aggregate  number  of  men  w’ho  belonged  to  the  14th  regi- 
ment was  1,980;  and  the  aggregate  mustered  out,  at  Fort  Leaven- 
Avorth,  was  480. 

During  its  four  years  and  four  months  of  arduous  service,  the 
regiment  marched  4,490  miles,  traveled  by  rail  2,380  miles,  and 
by  river  4,490  miles — making  an  aggregate  of  11,360  miles. 

In  this  regiment  ivas  Company  H,  from  Christian  county,  com- 
manded by  Capt.  Andrew’  Simpson,  who  was  wounded  at  Pittsburg 
Landing,  in  the  battles  of  the  6th  and  7th  of  April,  1862 — and  in 
consequence  thereof,  resigned  October  4th,  1862.  This  company 
participated  in  all  the  hardships  and  battles  before  described. 

The  company  was  organized,  under  many  adverse  circumstances, 
after  the  fall  of  Fort  Sumter.  It  w’as  then  styled  “ The  Christian 
Union  Guards.” 

The  Independent  Press,  of  April  19th,  1861,  says  of  it:  “Immediately 
upon  the  I’ecelpt  of  Gov.  Yates’  proclamation,  calling  out  six  regiments 
of  volunteers,  several  chivalric  young  men  of  Taylorville,  inspired  with 
patriotic  ardor,  promptly  set  about  forming  a light  infantry  corps;  and, 
upon  the  fact  becoming  known  about  town,  the  annexed  candidates  for 
martial  glory  came  forward  and  signed  the  muster  roll : 


Andrew  Simpson, 
Edward  Percy, 

John  Durbin  (Biscuit), 
Robert  E.  Doyle, 

John  McKenzie, 

D.  R.  Jay, 


John  W.  Hartley, 
Silas  B.  Root, 
Reuben  A.  Beard, 
John  G.  Haines, 
A.  F.  Barnes. 


“Mr.  John  W.  Hartley  is  acting  as  a recruiting  officer  during  the  ab- 
sence of  Mr.  Simpson,  who  has  gone  to  Springfield,  to  see  Gov.  Yates 
on  matters  pertaining  to  the  organization  of  the  company.  On  Mr.  Simp- 
son’s return,  Mr.  Hartley  assures  us  the  Light  Infantry  Corps  ivill  have  a 
‘ grand  rally.’  ” 


81 


HISTORY  OF  CHRISTIAN  COUNTY,  ILLINOIS. 


One  of  the  men  who  signed  the  call  was  not  in  sympathy  with 
the  cause,  and  2^robably  did  it  in  burlesque,  as  will  a|i})car  fioni 
the  following  published  in  the  Press  of  the  same  date  : 

“ A CAKD  TO  THE,  CHKISTIAN  PUBLIC.” 

“J/r.  Editor:  To  put  myself  right  before  the  world,  I deem  it  due 
alike  to  my  character  as  a man,  and  my  standing  as  a Democrat  and  a 
patriot,  to  state  that  I signed  the  muster  roll  of  the  Light  Infantry  Com- 
pany, now  forming  at  Taylorville,  only  conditionally.  I will  state  my 
conditions,  and  leave  it  to  impartial  posterity  to  pronounce  me  ‘sound 
upon  the  goose 

1st.  I vvill  not  join  the  array  of  Coercion,  if  Dick  Yates  appoints  the 
officers. 

2d.  I will  join,  if  the  members  of  the  company  are  allowed  the  privi- 
lege of  electing  their  own  officers— company  and  regimental. 

3d.  I will  continue  with  the  company,  ‘ for  and  during  the  war’— pro- 
vided I am  elected  Captain. 

4th.  If  I am  not  elected  Captain  of  the  company,  I'll  see  ‘ the  Institu- 
tion’ d— d first,  before  I budge  a step  from  Taylorville.  I have  no  idea 
of  setting  myself  up  as  a target  to  be  shot  at,  for  the  insigniflcaiilly- 
contemptible  sum  of  $11  a month,  rations  and  medical  attendance  thrown 
in.  No,— Sir-ee,  Bob;— not  in  the  day  time. 

E.  A.  Beard 

p.  s If  the  above  arrangement  is  not  entirely  satisfactory  to  my 

brave  companions  in  arms,  of  the  Taylorville  Light  Infantry  Corps,  I 
shall  remain  at  home,  and  continue  as  usual,  to  build  houses  and  stairs 
—cheap  for  cash  or  country  produce  1 E.  A.  B.” 

Taylorville,  April  19,  18G1. 

Whilst  this  chivalric  gentleman,  of  temporary  residence  in  Chris 
tian,  was  sending  forth  broadcast  this  ironical  patriotic  letter, 
tending  to  embarrass  Capt.  Simpson  in  his  recruiting  etforts,  on 
the  same  day,  a class  of  his  way  of  thinking  were  shooting  down  a 
portion  of  a Massachusetts  regiment  in  Baltimore,  on  their  way  to 
Washington  City,  to  protect  the  capitol  of  the  nation  from  seizure 
by  the  enemy. 

A union  meeting  was  held  in  Pana,  April  22d,  1865,  at  which 
Ilev.  H.  R.  Lewis  jjrcsidcd,  and  addresses  were  made  by  J.  II. 


O’Conner,  Geo.  E.  Pease,  J.  E.  Southwick,  and  others.  A series 
of  resolutions  were  jiassed  without  a dissenting  voice.  The  Jnde- 
pendent  Press,  in  commenting  on  it,  says:  “The  fourth  smells 
strongly  of  gunjiowder  and  subjugation.”  It  further  says:  “John 
B.  Butler,  well  and  favorably  known  to  the  people  of  Christian, 
has  abandoned  the  peaceful  pursuits  of  life,  donned  a military 
attire,  and,  like  a ‘ bowld  sojer  boy,’  as  he  is,  gone  off  to  the  wars, 
gaily  singing  as  he  went,  the  jiatriotic  old  ditty  of 

‘ Come  all  ye  brave  Americans, 

I’d  have  you  for  to  know. 

That  for  to  fight  the  enemy, 

I’m  goin’  for  to  go!’  ” 

But  Capt.  Simpson  succeeded  in  raising  his  company,  comjiosed 
of  12  officers  and  65  privates.  They  were  duly  organized  and 
ready  for  the  march  on  the  10th  of  May,  1861.  The  citizens  of 
Taylorville  gave  them  a sumptuous  collation,  on  that  day,  at  the 
court-house.  On  that  occasion  the  ladies  were  more  than  soldiers, 
vieing  with  each  other  in  doing  honors  for  the  brave  boys. 
Speeches  were  made  by  II.  IM.  Vandeveer,  C.  Goudy,  D.  T.  Moore, 
I).  E.  Hall,  and  Wm.  Singer.  A select  choir,  under  the  direc- 
tion of  A.  S.  Rockwell,  sang  the  beautiful  airs.  Star  Spangled 
Banner,  Red,  White  and  Blue,  Auld  Lang  Syne,  on  the  court- 
house steps ; after  which  I).  T.  jMoore,  on  behalf  of  the  ladies,  pre- 
sented a beautiful  Flag,  accompanied  with  a neat  and  apjiropriate 
speech.  Maj.  D.  D.  Shuinway,  as  e.xpressive  of  his  good  ivishes, 
2>re.sented  to  the  comiiany  through  Capt.  Sinqison,  $20  in  gold. 

The  comiiany  marched  to  Pana  on  that  day  and  took  the  cai*s  on 
the  Central  railroad.  A good  dinner  was  served  up  to  the  boys 
in  Idue  at  Pana.  They  moved  by  rail  to  Decatur,  the  same  eve- 
ning, where  they  were  jammed  into  two  freight  cars,  and  rolled 
away  to  Jacksonville.  The  comiiany  was  mustered  into  service  on 
the  25th  of  May,  1861,  and  went  into  cpiartcrs  at  Camp  Duncan. 
The  boys  then  opened  the  “ mysterious  box  ” sent  along  with  the 
commissary  department,  filled  with  cake  and  other  nice  things. 
This  disjiosed  of,  the  company  gave  “ three  cheers  and  a tiger  ” to 
the  ladies  of  Taylorville 


THE  14tII  EEGIMENT  ILLINOIS  VOLUNTEERS,  AS  SWORN  INTO  THE  UNITED  STATES  SERVICE  AT  JACKSONVILLE,  ILL.,  MAY  25tII,  18G1, 

EOR  THREE  YEARS. — JNO.  M.  PALMER.  Colonel. 


MUSTER-ROLL  OF  COMI’ANY  II. 

Andrew  Simpson,  Captain,  resigned  Oct.  4,  1862. 

John  W.  Hartley,  ist  Lieut.,  resigned  May  21,  1862. 

Oliver  P.  Squiers,  2d  Lieut.,  promoted  Captain. 

Z.  Payson  Shumway,  ist  Serg't.,  prom’d  2d  and  ist  Lieut., 
mustered  out  1864. 

James  W.  Reed,  Sergeant,  drowned  July,  1861. 

Henry  McKenzie,  Sergeant,  mustered  out  Oct.  31,  1864. 
Edw.  W.  Percy,  Sergeant. 

Charles  Poleman,  Corporal. 

John  C.  Isbell,  Corporal. 

Eli.as  C.  Banning,  Corporal. 

Jbhn  Durbin  Hiiseuit)  Corporal. 

Edwin  A.  Salter,  Corporal,  killed  at  Shiloh,  April  6,  1862. 
Robert  M.  Logan,  Oa.drop'd  from  the  rolls,  Oct.  29,  1863 
Oco.  M.  Lunison,  Corporal. 

Charlcsworth  Powel,  wag’r.  prom,  ist  Lieut,  then  Adjutant. 
I'.dgar  (.'hapman.  Musician. 

Morris  R.iy.  Musician,  rc-enlistcd  as  veteran. 

Brawicy,  Wm.  T.,  Private,  died  July  30,  18G2. 

Bchimer,  .Andrew  U.,  Private. 

Baroff,  Uriah,  Private. 

P.aldman,  Wm.  W.,  Private,  mustered  out  Oct.  21,  1864. 
Bonds,  Christopher  C..  Private,  mustered  out  Oct,  31  ,1864. 
Bankston,  John  D.,  Private. 

Bisby,  James  M.,  priv.,  re  enlisted  as  veteran  ; deserted  1865. 
Blythi-,’ Wm.  T.,  Private. 

Broadshaw,  Win.  C.,  Pr.vale. 

B.irncs,  Almond  1'..  Piivate. 

Clark,  Chas.  W.  W.,  Private. 

Cundiff,  Henry,  Private,  re-enlisted  as  veteran  M.  O.  July 
1865. 

Campbell,  Henry  II.,  Private,  rc-rnlisled  as  veteran. 
Doyle,  Robert  IC.,  Private. 


Drory,  William,  Private. 

Liam,  William  Thomas,  Private,  Pro.  Corp’l.,  killed  at 
Sh'loh,  April  6,  1862. 

East,  Cincinnatus,  Private. 

Lrecman,  Joseph,  Private. 

George,  William,  Private. 

George,  Lafayette,  Private. 

Gillon,  Owen,  Private. 

Hatchett,  Archibald,  Private. 

Hamel,  Christian  K.,  Private. 

Halford,  Benjamin  1'.,  Private,  re-enlisted  as  veteran. 
Hatfield,  Harmon  H.,  Private. 

Higbce,  Henry  IL,  Private. 

Herst,  W.  John,  Private. 

Jay,  Daniel  R.,  Private. 

Kelso,  James,  Private,  discharged  Sept  2d,  1862,  disability. 
Logan,  Samuel,  Private,  re-enlisted  as  veteran. 

I.ovejoy,  Alfred,  Private. 

I.oser,  I.evi,  Private. 

McKenzie,  John,  Private. 

.McKenzie,  Samuel,  committed  suicide  May  19,  1863. 
Meteer,  Thomas,  Private. 

Murphy,  Cyrus,  Private. 

Mctiracken,  I.yttle,  Private,  transf’d  to  Inv.  Cor.  Oct.  21 
1863,  and  mustered  out  C3ct.  25,  1864. 

Malony,  Isdmond,  Private. 

Osborn,  Jefferson,  Private. 

P.irrilh,  isll.  Private,  discharged  Oct.  13,  1862;  wounds. 
Polly,  Silas  11.,  Private,  re-enlisted  as  veteran. 

Ruby,  James  S,,  Private,  drop’d  from  rolls  Oct.  29,  1862. 
Rush,  Cyrus,  Private,  tr’f d to  Inv.  Corps  .M.  O.,  May  25 
1862. 

Rice,  Mortimer,  Private. 


Root,  Silas  B.,  Private. 

Shejiherd,  Corwin,  Private,  discharged  Sept.  28,  1862. 
Stewart,  James  M , Private,  re-elected  as  veteran. 

Stephens,  Wm.  O.,  Private,  discharged  Sept.  28,  1862. 
wounds. 

Stine,  Absalom,  Private,  died  in  Andersonville  Prison,  Oct. 

2,  1S64.  No.  of  grave,  10  828. 

Seelover,  Charles  Private,  killed  at  Shiloh,  April  6,  1862. 
T.iylor,  Albert  B.,  Private. 

Thompson,  Alexander,  Private. 

Tettrick,  Charles  B.,  Private. 

'Truster,  I'ranklin  M.,  Private. 

Westbrooks,  .Alfred,  Private. 

Westbrooks,  Ridley,  Private. 

Branch,  Edward,  Recruit. 

Bartley.  Simon,  Recruit. 

Burris,  Robert,  Recruit. 

Conner,  Paul,  Recruit. 

Holston,  Recruit. 

Mcetcr,  John,  Recruit,  see  Co.  -V.  veteran  battalion. 
McCracken,  John,  Recruit. 

' McLaughlin,  David,  Recruit. 

Mansfield,  .Anthony,  Recruit,  died  Sept.,  1862. 

Miller,  Jerry,  Recruit. 

McKenzie,  Jesse,  Recruit,  transf.  to  Inv.  Cor.  Oct.  21,  1863. 
Persinger,  Mathew,  Recruit. 

Rutledge,  Is.aac,  Recriut,  tranf.  from  2cl  Kansas,  Co.  L, 
1 Aug.  28,  1861. 

Sweet,  Sidney,  Recruit,  deserted  June  25,  1865,  from  vet. 
battalion. 

, Sweat,  I'.dward,  Recruit,  deserted  June  26,  1865. 

Kay,  Morns,  Recruit,  Life  Major  in  14th  re-organized 
Infantry. 


85 


HISTORY  OF  CHRISTIAN  COUNTY,  ILLINOIS. 


FOKTY-FIRST  INFANTRY  REGIMENT. 

Company  G.,  of  this  regiment,  Francis  M.  Long,  captain,  was  from 
C'hristian  county.  The  officers  of  the  regiment  Avere : Isaac  C. 
Pugh,  of  Decatur,  Colonel ; Ansel  Tupper,  of  Decatur,  Lieutenant 
Colonel,  killed  at  battle  of  Pittsburg  Landing,  April  6th,  1862. 
Capt.  Francis  M.  Long,  of  Taylorville,  promoted  Major,  and  killed 
in  action,  near  Jackson,  Miss.,  July  12tli,  1863.  William  C.  B. 
Gillespie,  of  Grove  City,  in  this  county.  Adjutant  from  ]\Iarch  17, 
1862,  till  his  time  expired,  August  20,  1864.  John  Baughman,  of 
Christian  county,  Quarterma.ster  from  September  4th,  1863,  till 
his  time  expired,  August  20th,  1864. 

This  regiment  was  organized  by  authority  of  the  Secretary  of 
War,  in  July,  1861,  at  Decatur,  111.,  on  the  9th  of  August,  1861. 
August  7th,  Captain  Long’s  company,  Avith  the  regiment,  moved  to 
St.  Louis,  Mo.;  the  29th,  moved  to  Bird’s  Point,  Mo.,  and  Avas 
assigned  to  the  command  of  Gen.  Prentiss ; Sept.  8th,  moved  to 
Paducah,  Ky.  Assigned  to  Gen.  C.  F.  Smith’s  command,  Nov.  6, 
1861,  marched  to  Melhourne  and  returned  ; to  Lovelettsville,  and 
returned  Nov.  19th,  1861 ; to  CroAvn  Point,  and  returned  Dec.  31, 
1861. 

Three  members  of  Company  G died  at  Paducah,  Ky.;  Corporal 
Win.  M.  Petty,  Oct.  13th,  1861,  of  typhoid  fever,  Avas  brought 
home  and  buried,  on  Bear  creek,  aged  23  years.  Private,  John 
]\I.  Jordan,  of  the  same  company,  died  of  measles,  Dec.  22d,  1861  j 
deceased  Avere  tAvo  of  the  five  Avho  volunteered  from  Bear  creek ; Jor- 
dan Avas  buried  at  Paducah,  Ky.  Geo.  B.  Ryan,  of  Taylorville,  died 
at  Paducah,  Ky.,  April  5,  1862,  Avas  brought  home  and  noAV  sleeps 
close  to  his  captain,  in  the  Oak  Hill  Cemetery,  near  Taylorville. 

February  5th,  1862,  the  regiment  took  up  its  march  for  active 
service  to  Fort  Henry,  and  on  the  11th  marched  to  Fort  Donel- 
son,  and  Avas  engaged  in  the  siege  under  Col.  McArthur,  on  the 
13th,  14th  and  15th  days  of  February,  1862.  None  of  Company  G 
Avere  killed  in  this  fight,  and  only  eight  Avounded.  Their  names 
Avere : Ben.  L.  BoAvles,  of  Ro.semond,  in  his  leg ; Curtis  Kimmer- 
man,  of  Bear  creek,  in  the  leg ; Sergeant  Robert  W.  Hopper,  of 
Buckeye  Prairie,  in  foot ; James  Broivn,  of  Taylorville,  in  finger, 
and  the  others  slightly.  Fort  Donelson  surrendered  on  the 
morning  of  the  16th  of  February,  1862. 

The  regiment,  immediately  after  the  surrender  of  Fort  Donel- 
son, moved  up  the  Tennessee  river.  The  folloAving  letter  from  J.  B. 
Young,  a private  in  Co.  G,  under  date  of  March  26th,  1862,  to  a 
friend  in  this  county,  Ave  take  from  the  Independent  Press : 

“We  are  now  encamped  within  a mile  and  a half  of  Pittsburg,  Tenn., 
near  the  lines  of  the  States  of  Mississippi  and  Alabama.  There  are  about 
100,000  men  here  in  the  heart  of  ‘ Dixie,’  ready  to  move  at  an  hour’s  notice 
upon  the  enemy.  The  Confederates  are  fortitied,  about  80,000  strong,  at 
Corinth,  twenty  miles  west  of  us.  If  they  do  not  evacuate  their  position 
soon,  you  will  perhaps  hear  of  a battle,  compared  with  which  that  of 
Fort  Donelson  W'as  child’.s  play.  When  200  000  men  meet  in  conflict, 

‘ somebody  will  get  hurt.’  Our  course  in  all  probability  will  be  west- 
ward to  the  city  of  Memphis.  This,  however,  is  hut  the  speculation  of  a 
‘high  private,’  in  Uncle  Sam’s  Army— rear  rank.  The  boys,  from  ex- 
posure to  wet,  fatigue,  hard  crackers  and  bacon,  are  not  in  as  good  trim 
for  the  fray  as  might  be  desired.  But  the  Avarm  spring  weather  and  the 
forwardness  of  vegetation,  (for  the  peach  trees  have  been  in  full  blos- 
som for  the  past  ten  days,  and  the  May  apple  nearly  ready  to  bloom,)  is 
invigorating,  and  the  health  of  the  troops  shows  a marked  improvement 
since  we  landed  at  this  point.  We  were  nine  days  aboard  the  steamboats, 
exposed  to  drenching  rains  most  of  the  time.  There  were  one  hundred 
and  thirty-two  steamboats  of  the  largest  class  in  the  line,  conveying  the 
troops  and  military  stores  up  the  river— the  41st  Begiment  and  Co.  G 
among  the  number.  The  country  is  rolling  and  heavily  timbered.  In 
the  valleys  and  bottoms  there  are  cane  brakes  and  cypress  swamps. 

On  the  24th  Gen.  Buell’s  division  of  the  army,  from  Cumberland  Gap, 
by  the  way  of  Nashville,  formed  a junction  Avith  Gen.  Grant’s  forces,  at 


Savannah,  fifteen  miles  below  us,  on  the  Tennessee  river.  If  we  succeed 
in  taking  Island  No.  10,  in  the  Mississippi,  which  we  will  most  likely, 
Corinth  will  be  evacuated  for  the  purpose  of  strengthening  Fort  Ran- 
dolph and  Memphis,  ‘ we  shall  see  what  we  shall  see.’ 

The  battle  of  Pittsburg  Landing,  or  Shiloh,  as  named  in  official 
reports,  Avas  fought  on  Sunday  and  Monday,  April  6th  and  7th, 
1862.  It  Avas  a long  and  desperate  conflict.  Lieut.  Jno.  B.  Butler, 
I of  Co.  G.,  correspondent  of  ihe  Independent  Press,  Taylorville, 
gives  the  folloAving  graphic  account  of  the  tAvo  days’  battle : 

Gen.  Grant  has  been  concentrating  his  forces  at  this  port  for  the  last 
four  weeks,  preparatory  to  an  advance  upon  the  enemy's  strong  hold  at 
Corinth,  Miss.  We  were  only  waiting  a junction  with  the  troops  under 
Gen.  Buell  to  commence  the  march.  The  enemy,  reported  130  000  strong, 

I endeavored  to  cut  us  ofl'  before  Gen.  Buell’s  arrival,  an^  thereby  command 
I the  navigation  of  the  Tennessee  river— give  his  troops  the  spirit  and 
I eclat  of  a victory — cheer  and  encourage  the  despondency  of  the  enemy, 

I replenish  their  exhausted  ordnance  and  commissary  stores,  and  light 
Gen.  Buell  at  their  leisure.  They  have  been  signally  disappointed; 
although  they  fought  like  devils  incarnate  for  thirty-six  hours. 

On  Sunday  morning,  about  four  o’clock,  the  enemy  drove  in  our  pick- 
ets, and  the  cannonading  commenced  with  round  shot,  shrapnel,  shells, 
j and  other  projectiles,  grape,  canister,  etc.  The  enemy  in  force  were  in  the 
camps  almost  as  soou  as  were  the  pickets  themselves.  Here  began  scenes 
Avhich  hardly  have  a parallel  in  the  annals  of  war.  Many,  particularly 
j among  the  ofllcers  of  the  army,  were  not  yet  out  of  their  beds ; some 

I Avere  dies.-ing,  others  washing  and  cooking,  and  a few  eating  their 

j breakfast.  Many  guns  were  unloaded,  accoutrements  lying  pell-mell, 

[ ammunition  was  ill-supplied — in  short  the  camps  Avere  completely  sur- 
prised— and  taken  at  almost  every  possible  disadvantage. 

The  first  wild  cries  from  the  pickets  rushing  in,  and  the  few  scattering 
shots  that  preceded  their  arrival,  aroused  the  regiments  to  a sense  of 
their  peril;  an  instant  afterward,  rattling  volleys  of  musketry  poured 
through  the  tents,  and  before  there  was  thought  or  preparation,  there 
came  rushing  through  the  woods,  with  lines  of  battle,  SAveeping  the 
whole  fronts  of  the  division  camps,  and  bending  down  on  either  flank, 
the  fine,  compact  columns  of  the  enemy. 

Into  the  just  aroused  camps  of  the  union  forces,  thronged  the  confed- 
erate regiments,  firing  sharp  volieys  as  they  came,  and  springing  forward 
upon  our  laggards  Avith  the  bayonet;  for  while  their  artillery,  already  in 
I position,  was  tossing  shells  to  the  further  side  of  the  encampments, 
scores  were  shot  down,  as  they  were  running,  without  weapons,  hatless, 
coatless,  towards  the  river.  The  searching  bullets  found  other  poor  un- 
fortunates in  their  tents,  and  these,  unheeding  now,  they  slumbered, 
while  the  unseen  foe  rushed  on  1 Others  fell,  as  they  were  disentangling 
themselves  from  the  flaps  that  formed  the  doors  to  their  tents;  others  as 
they  AA'ere  vainly  trying  to  impress  on  the  critically  exultant  enemies, 
their  readiness  to  surrender.  Ofllcers  were  bayoneted  in  their  beds,  and 
left  for  dead,  Avho,  through  the  whole  two  days’  fearful  struggle,  lay  there 
gasping  in  their  agony,  and  on  Monday  evening  were  found  in  their  gore, 
inside  their  tents,  and  still  able  to  tell  the  tale. 

Thus  the  battle  raged  by  8 o’clock  in  the  morning.  The  roar  of  mus- 
ketry and  rifles;  the  infernal  din  of  two  or  three  hundred  thousand 
small  arms  continued  all  day,  and  ceased  not  till  darkness  put  an  end  to 
the  strife.  Wg  halted  in  line  of  battle,  and  remained  there  during  the 
night,  notwithstanding  it  rained  torrents  throughout  the  latter  part  of  it. 
Col.  Pugh  commanded  the  First  Brigade  of  the  Fourth  Division.  Com- 
pany G,  with  the  41st  regiment,  in  the  Fourth  Division,  took  their  posi- 
tion in  line  of  battle  by  8 o'clock,  a.  m.,  the  enemy  showed  himself,  and 
commenced  firing  upon  our  battery,  which  replied  promptly,  and  for  two 
hours  they  kept  up  a most  incessant  roar.  About  12  o’clock  our  battery 
changed  position  right  in  front  of  Co.  G,  of  41st  regiment,  Illinois  vol- 
unteers, and  for  fifteen  minutes  kept  up  a brisk  fire;  but  the  enemy  dis- 
abled one  gun,  killed  several  gunners  and  horses,  when  the  battery 
retired.  This  had  drawn  the  grape  and  canister  upon  us,  and  several 
men  Avere  killed  out  of  Co.  G— not  all,  however,  from  Christian  county — 
close  by  my  side  and  in  my  rear. 

Our  division  was  posted  near  the  left  wing  of  our  lines.  For  tAvo  hours 
and  a half  our  regiment  presented  the  appearance  of  a young  volcano; 
nor  did  it  give  one  inch  of  ground  until  our  ammunition  was  exhausted, 
when  Ave  retired  behind  the  second  line,  refreshed  ourselves  Avith  Avater 
and  replenished  our  ammunition.  Lieut.  Col.  Tupper,  of  the  41st  regi- 


86 


HISTORY  OF  CHRISTIAN  COUNTY,  ILLINOIS. 


ment,  ■was  killed  early  in  the  action.  The  command  then  devolved  upon 
Maj.  Warner,  who  led  us  during  the  remainder  of  the  light  on  Sunday 
afternoon. 

The  enemy  outflanked  us  on  the  left,  and  drove  us  in  until  five  o’clock 
in  the  afternoon,  when  one  or  two  brigades  of  Gen.  Buell’s  command 
landed  from  the  boats,  and  a masked  battery  of  heavy  guns  was  planted, 
which  opened  in  easy  range : and  such  a cannonading  from  that  time  till 
dark  was  never  excelled,  if  equalled,  in  modern  warfare.  The  enemy’s 
batteries  were  silenced,  and  they  were  forced  to  retire  some  distance  for 
the  night. 

Gen.  Buell's  forces  continued  landing  all  night,  and  taking  their  posi- 
tion in  the  field,  and  as  soon  as  daylight  made  its  appearance,  they 
“cried  havoc,  and  let  slip  the  dogs  of  war,”  and  kept  it  up  till  three  in 
the  afternoon  of  Monday,  when  the  enemy  broke  and  retreated  from  the 
fleld.  Cot.  Pugh’s  brigade,  on  Monday,  the  second  day  of  the  fight,  were 
posted  in  support  of  the  right  wing,  and  here  it  was  that  the  heaviest 
fighting  was  done.  The  enemy  had  erected  breast-works  of  fallen  tim- 
ber, from  behind  which  they  kept  up  a severe  firing  for  a long  time,  but 
we  routed  them  at  the  point  of  the  bayonet.  In  fact  a great  proportion 
of  the  fighting  in  the  afternoon  was  with  the  bayonet. 

Among  the  prisoners  were  severai  officers  of  distinction:  and  among 
the  dead  were  the  bodies  of  Gen.  A.  Sidney  Johnson,  of  'Virginia  fame, 
and  Gen.  Bragg,  of  battery  notoriety  at  Buena  Vista.  We  lost  many 
prisoners  on  Sunday,  at  the  commencement  of  the  battle.  The  enemy 
took  many  of  our  guns  on  the  first  day,  but  w’ere  retaken  on  the  day  fol 
lowing,  together  with  forty  of  the  enemy’s  guns. 

Tuesday  and  Wednesday  after  the  battle  were  occupied  in  burying  the 
dead.  The  battle  ground  was  covered,  more  or  less,  for  three  or  four 
miles  in  diameter,  with  dead  and  wounded  men  and  horses.  Some  twenty- 
five  or  thirty  miles  were  fought  over.  The  country  was  hilly  and  cut  up 
by  deep  ravines.  The  enemy  had  the  advantage  of  a thorough  knowledge 
of  the  country,  of  its  geography  and  topography,  which  our  men  had  not, 
with  the  exception  of  the  commanding  generals. 

About  five  o’clock  of  the  first  day’s  fighting,  when  w’e  were  marching 
to  the  right  wing,  to  take  position,  Gen.  Hurlburt  paid  the  41st  regiment 
a very  high  compliment;  many  regiments  were  broken  and  in  confusion, 
and  the  General  seeing  us  all  in  ranks  in  line  of  battle,  called  out,  “ What 
regiment  is  this  ?”  “ 41st  Illinois,”  was  the  response.  “ That  is  as  it  should 
be— the  41st  is  in  line!  I expect  always  to  find  them  in  line!” 

The  following  letter  was  written  by  Capt.  F.  M.  Long,  on  the 
8th  of  April,  1862,  after  the  battle,  to  his  aged  father  in  Taylor- 
ville,  Illinois  : 

“Forty-six  of  my  company,  G,  went  into  the  fight;  and  sixteen  of  the 
number  were  killed  and  wounded.  The  names  of  the  killed  were  : Geo. 
C.  Funk,  John  C.  Wriglit,  Win.  ,1.  Johnson,  Win.  II.  Ready  and  Charles 
A.  Craimer.  The  wounded  were : Capt  F.  M.  Long,  slightly  in  the  foot; 
Lieut.  John  W.  Cox,  mortally,  in  the  right  thigh  — died  April  9th;  Capt. 
Leander  East,  severely  in  the  right  shoulder;  Gabriel  McKenzie,  slightly, 
in  the  head;  Gabriel  C.  Butt,  seriously  in  tlie  back;  Win.  L.  Miner, 
slightly  in  the  head ; George  Stanley,  slightly  in  the  face;  Geo.  Cahill, 
slightly  in  the  ear;  James  Brown,  slightly  in  the  breast;  Edmund  Wil- 
son, severe  wound  in  the  left  arm  and  bone  broken,  and  Win.  J.  Sissom, 
flesh- wound  in  the  leg. 

“The  killed  fought  bravely  till  they  fell.  The  rest  of  my  men  went 
through  unharmed ; everyone  did  his  duty.  I passed  over  the  battle- 
field the  next  morning  after  the  dreadful  contest,  and  such  a sight  I 
never  beheld  before;  dead  men  are  lying  all  around  over  the  ground  for 
miles.” 

After  tlic  battle  of  Sliiloli,  the  regiment  was  next  engaged 
in  llic  siege  of  Coriiitli,  Miss.  July  <>,  1862,  tnarelied  for  Meiii- 
pliis,  via  Holly  Springs,  Lagrange  tind  (Jrand  Junction;  ar- 
rived at  ( leriiiaiitowii  20lli,  and  iit  Menipbis  21st  July,  wliere 
it  rriiiaiiied  till  the  6tli  of  Sejiteinber,  and  then  niarehed  for  l>oli- 
var,  arriving  on  1-lth  of  Septeiiilier  ; on  l!)th  niarehed  to  thedrand 
Jiiiietioii,  and  returned  < letober  4,  and  inarcheil  to  llatehie  river. 
On  the  5th  of  October,  1862,  was  reserved  during  the  battle  of 
Corinth.  < )n  6lh  niarehed  to  llolivar;  on  7th  niarehed  from  Boli- 
var, arriving  at  Lagrange  Nov.  3d.  ( )ii  the  6th  of  November  in 

Col.  I’ugh’s  brigade;  moved  out  on  a reconnoisanec  to  laimar  on 


8tb,  and  Somerville  on  24th  ; November  28,  1862,  again  marched 
to  Lamar;  on  29tli  to  Holly  Springs;  on  30tli  to  Waterford.  De- 
cember 10th,  1862,  to  Beaver  creek;  on  lUh  to  Yocona  creek, 
passing  through  Oxford  and  crossing  the  Tallahatchie;  on  the  22d 
marched  from  Yocona  to  Water  Valley,  and  returned  via  Oxford, 
Beaver  creek,  Tallahatchie,  and  arrived  at  Holly  Springs,  January 
5th,  1863. 

The  41st  Regiment  was  in  the  first  brigade.  Col.  Pugh  ; fourth 
division.  Brig.  Gen’l  Lauman  ; right  wing,  Gen.  McPherson  ; 13th 
army  corps,  Maj.  Gen.  Grant.  The  regiment  went  into  camp  at 
IMoscow,  Tenn.,  and  remained  until  March,  1863.  On  March  5th, 
1863,  ordered  to  Memphis,  Tenn  , where  it  arrived  on  the  10th. 
The  regiment  before  this  had  been  transferred  from  13th  army 
corps,  Maj.  Gen.  Grant,  to  16th  army  corps,  Maj.  Gen.  Hurlburt 
commanding. 

On  12th  of  April,  1863,  proceeded  on  an  expedition  to  Hernando, 
Miss.  At  Cold  Water,  seven  miles  beyond  the  latter  place,  met 
the  enemy,  under  Gen.  Chalmers.  Here  the  41st  was  under  a 
heavy  skirmish  fire  for  about  seven  hours.  On  16th  returned  to 
Mempliis.  Valentine  Hinkle,  of  company  G,  died  at  Memphis. 
April  28th,  1863,  moved  to  Vicksburg  ; disembarked  at  Young’s 
Point;  on  19th,  transferred  to  Gen.  McCleniand’s  command.  Was 
engaged  in  the  siege  of  Vicksburg. 

July  5,  1863,  moved  towards  Jackson,  Miss.  Engaged  in  the 
battle  of  Jackson.  The  loss  of  the  regiment  in  this  action  was  40 
killed  upon  the  field,  and  122  wounded.  Major  F.  M.  Long 
fell,  mortally  Avounded,  while  gallantly  leading  his  men  into  action. 
This  great  sacrifice  of  life  was  by  a mistaken  order  of  Gen.  Lau- 
man’s.  It  Avas  uncalled  for,  and  effected  nothing.  Among  the 
killed  AA’ere  Corp’l  Elijah  J.  Shirrell,  John  H.  Williams,  Wm.  B. 
Russell,  John  A.  Orr,  Wm.  N.  Robinson.  Names  of  the  Avounded 
could  not  be  obtained.  After  this  disaster  the  regiment  returned 
to  Vicksburg  on  the  25th  of  July. 

Nov.  18th,  1863,  moved  to  Natchez,  IMiss.,  and  remained 
until  the  28th,  Avhen  it  returned  to  Vicksburg.  Dec.  3d,  1863, 
marched  to  Big  Black  riv'er,  Avhere  it  remained  and  erected  winter 
quarters ; the  41st  regiment  being  in  1st  brigade,  Gen.  Thomas 
Kirby  Smith  ; fourth  diA’ision,  Gen.  M.  M.  Crocker;  17th  army 
corps,  Maj.  Gen.  James  B.  McPherson  commanding  A'cterans  and 
recruits  of  the  41st  111.,  consolidated  Avith  the  53d  regiment. 

The  41st  mustered  out  August  20,  1864,  at  Springfield,  111. 
Number  in  the  regiment  1,211. 

Such  is  a brief  and  hasty  sketch  of  the  moA’cments  of  the  41st 
Illinois  regiment,  in  which  Avas  company  G,  Capt.  F.  M.  Long,  from 
Christian  county. 

A brief  account  of  the  early  formation  of  this  company  and  the 
obstacles  it  had  to  encounter,  may  be  a matter  of  interest.  Capt. 
F.  ]\L  Long,  on  his  oavii  motion,  commenced  recruiting  for  a com- 
pany, in  July,  1861,  to  be  attached  to  Col.  Pugh’s  Regiment,  form- 
ing at  Decatur.  The  Independent  Press  says  : 

“ A incetiiig,  to  further  the  Interests  of  the  movement,  Avas  held  in  the 
Court-house,  on  the  afternoon  of  the  2(lth  of  July,  1801.  Addresses  were 
made  by  Elder  A.  McCollum,  Capt.  'Vandeveer,  and  Dr.  Gotuly.  It  Avas 
stated  that  the  jiay  would  lie  lilieral — 320  acres  of  land;  a lioiinty  of 
$100,  besides  the  regular  wages  in  tlie  army.  The  hoys  of  the  company 
styled  themselves  ‘ Uncle  Haul’s  Nephews.’  Among  those  enlisting 
was  Samuel  VVydick,  au  old  settler  of  this  county,  and  81  years  old.  lie 
reported  his  age  at  41,  and  passed  muster,  lie  was  in  the  war  of  1812; 
and  also  in  tlie  Black  Hawk  War.  lie  is  apparently  as  active  as  any  man 
in  the  company,  and  endured  the  hardships  incident  to  a life  in  the  tented 
fleld,  Avith  ns  much  spirit  ns  most  of  his  younger  companions  in  arms, 
lie  died  in  the  Hospital  at  St.  Louis,  on  the  22d  of  Aju-il,  18G2.  Peace  to 
the  old  warrior’s  ashes.” 


HISTORY  OF  CHRISTIAN  COUNTY,  ILLINOIS. 


87 


MUSTEK  ROLL 


MUSTER  ROLL 


Of  Company  G,  of  the  41st  Regiment  of  Illi- 
nois Volunteers,  as  sworn  into  theU.  Service, 
at  Decatur,  111 , Aug.  5th,  1861,  for  three  years  ^ 

Francis  M.  Long,  Captain,  promoted  Major. 

Daniel  K.  Hall,  Captain,  promoted. 

'J'liom.as  J.  Anderson,  Captain,  term  expired  Aug.  20,  1864. 
John  B.  Butler,  1st  Lieutenant,  resigned  June  18,  1863. 
Chas.  G.  Young,  ist  Lieut,  term  3 years,  expired  Nov.  11,  '64. 
)ohn  W.  Cox,  2d  Lieut.,  died  Apr.  g,  ’62,  at  Shiloh. 

James  M.  Boyd,  ist  Sergeant,  term  expired  Aug.  20,  1864. 
George  Hall,  Sergt.  M.O.,  term  exp.  Aug.  20,  1864. 
Lander,' East,  Sergeant,  discharged  January  29,  1863. 

W.  B.  Russell,  Seigeant. 

John  J.  Benope,  Sergeant,  time  M.  O.  Aug.  20,  1864. 

Elijah  J.  Sherill,  Corpl.,  killed  Jackson,  Miss.  July  12,  ’63. 
Andrew  J.  Bailey,  Corpl.,  died  Memphis,  Tenn.,  Apr.  20,  63. 
John  H.  Williams,  Corpl,  killed  Jackson,  Miss.,  July  12,  63. 
John  C.  Young,  Corporal,  re-enlisted  as  veteran. 

Robert  R.  Earnest,  Corporal,  dis.  Nov.  28,  1862  ; disability. 
Wm.  R.  Russell,  Corpl,  prom.  Serg.,  killed  July  12,  1863. 
Wm.  M.  Petty,  Corporal,  died  Paducah,  Ky.,  Oct.  13,  '61. 
Thomas  Dowling,  Musician,  mustered  out  April  20,  1864. 
Brannon,  John,  Private,  re-enlisted  as  veteran. 


Bowman,  Elias  F. 
Butt,  Gabriel  C., 
Butt,  Dias, 

Bowls,  Benjamin  L., 
Brown,  James, 
Clawson,  John  D,  ‘ 
Cheney,  Benj.  F. 


died  at  Vicksburg.  July  7,  1863. 
M.  O.  Aug.  20,  1864;  wounded. 


re-enlisted  as  veteran, 
discharged  Aug.  15,  1862;  dis. 
discharged  Nov.  29,  1863,  to  ac- 
cept promotion  as  2d  Lieutenant,  7th  La.  A.  D. 

Cowgill,  DeWitt  C.,  Private,  discharged  for  disability. 
Cooper,  John  H.,  ‘‘  re-enlisted  as  veteran. 

Clapp,  Henry  L , discharged  Oct.  22,  1862. 

Durbin,  Wm.  W.,  “ re-enlisted  as  veteran. 

Drind,  Frederick,  “ discharged  April  6,  1863  ; dis. 

F'unk,  Geo.  C.,  killed  at  Pittsburg  Landing,  yVirril,  6,  1862. 
Gilbert,  Geo.  W.,  Private,  discharged  Sept.  13,  1863. 
Gimlin,  Elijah  E.,  Private.  M.  O.  Aug.  20,  1864  ; wounded. 
Gray,  Anderson,  Private,  mustered  out,  Aug.  20,  1864. 
Goodan,  William,  Private,  “ “ 

Gillespie,  Wm.  C.  B.,  Private,  prom.  Commissary  Sergeant. 
Hopper,  I^obt.  W.,  Private,  Aug.  20,  1864.  as  Sergeant. 
Halderman,  Abram.  Private,  dis.  Oct.  19,  1862;  disability. 
Hoover,  Leonard,  Private,  mustered  out  Aug.  20,  1864. 
Johnson.  Wm.  J.,  Private,  killed  at  Shiloh,  April  6,  1862. 
Jordan.  Jno.  M.,  Private,  died  at  Paducah,  Ky.,  Dec.  22,  ’61. 
Jones,  James  T.,  Private,  dis.  Dec.  I6.  1863,  disability. 
Kimmerman,  Curtis.  Private,  dis.  Sept.  19,  '62;  disability. 
Knott,  William  S.,  Private,  deserted  Sept.  13,  1861. 
Levanther,  Joseph,  Private,  mustered  out  Aug.  20,  1864. 
Langley,  Thos.  Private,  dis.  Aug.  14,  1862;  disability. 
McGarrah,  Daniel  E.,  Private,  mustered  out  Aug.  20,  1864. 
Marshall.  Thomas,  Private,  dis.  Sept.  18,  1862;  disability. 
Miner,  Wm.  L.,  Private,  mustered  oat  Aug,  20,  1864. 
Peppers,  John  H.,  Private,  re-enlisted  as  veteran. 

Pilate,  Benjamin,  Private,  deserted  July  30  1862. 

Ryan  Geo.  B.,  Private,  died  at  Paducah,  Ky.,  April  5,  1862. 
Rutledge,  William,  Private,  deserted  Sept.  28,  1861,  and 
went  into  115th  regiment,  killed  at  Chicaniauga. 

Smith,  Thadeus  T.,  Private,  dis.  March  5,  1862,  as  Corpl. 
Storey,  Theodore  F.,  Private,  Copl,  died  at  home  Sept.  ’62. 
Stanley,  George,  Private,  mustered  out  Aug.  20,  1864. 
Scribner,  Eli  S.,  re-enlistcd  as  veteran. 

Weller,  Augustus,  Private,  re-enlisted  as  veteran. 

Wooley,  David,  Private,  died  at  St.  Louis,  March  19,  1862. 
Wilson,  Edmund,  Private,  discharged  June  12.  1862; 
Welch,  David  F.,  died  at  Mound  City,  April  15,  1862. 
Waddell,  Geo.  W.,  transf.  to  Invalid  Corjis,  Sept.  12,  1863. 
Widock,  Samuel,  Private,  died  at  St.  Louis,  April  22,  1862. 
Wheeler,  John,  Private,  mustered  out  Aug.  20,  1864. 

Young,  John  B.,  Private,  mustered  out  Aug.  20,  1864. 
Br.innon,  John,  Veteran,  transf.  to  Co.  A.  Veteran  Bat. 
Brown,  James.  Veteran,  trans.  to  Co.  A.  Veteran,  Battalion. 
Cooper,  John  H..  Veteran,  transf.  to  Co.  A.  Veteran  Bat. 
Durbin,  William  W..  Veteran,  transf.  to  Co.  A Veteran  Bat. 
McKenzie,  Gabriel,  Veteran,  transf.  to  Co  Veteran  Bat. 
Peppers,  John  H.,  Veteran,  transf.  to  Co.  A.Veieian  Bat. 
Scribner,  Eli  S.,  Veteran,  deserted  May  12,  1864. 

Weller,  Augustus,  Veteran,  transf.  to  Co.  A.  Veteran  Bat. 
Young  John  C.,  Veteran,  transf.  to  Co.  A.  \’eieran  Bat. 
Butler,  Jno.  B.,  Recruit,  promoted  2d  Lieut. 

Hinkle,  Valentine  died  at  Memphis,  Tenn.,  April  28,863. 
Langley,  Charles,  Recruit,  dis.  June  21.  1862;  disability. 
McKenzie.  Gabriel,  Recruit,  re-enlisted  as  V'eteran. 

N ish,  Wright,  Recruit,  transf.  to  Co.  A.  Veteran  Battalion. 
Ryan.  Robert  R , Recruit,  transf.  to  Co.  A.  Veteran  Bat. 
Spates,  Alfred,  Recruit,  transf.  to  Co.  A.  Veteran  Battalion. 
Simpson,  Robert  S.,  Recruit,  dis.  April  4,  1862;  disability. 
'I'hrockmorton,  John.  Recruit,  transf.  to  Co.  A.  Veteran  Bat. 
Whitton.  Thomas,  Recruit,  transf.  to  Co.  A.  Veteran  Bat. 
Williams,  James  R.,  Recruit,  transf.  to  Co  A.  Veteran  Bat. 
Westley,  William,  Recruit,  transf.  to  Co.  A.  V^eteran  Bat. 
Joseph  Catherwood,  1st  Lieut.,  Co.  E.  4th  Regt.,  term  ex- 
pired Aug.  21,  1864. 


Of  Company  D.  33d  Regiment  111.  Volunteers, 
more  familiarly  known  as  the  “ Xormal  Regi- 
ment ” of  Teachers.  It  was  organized  at  Camp 
Butler,  111  , Aug.  15th,  1861,  Charles  E.  Ilovey^ 
Colonel.  Company  D.  was  made  up  in  the 
we.stern  part  of  Christian  county,  by  Henry  II. 
Pope,  its  Captain. 

Henry  H.  Pope,  Captain,  promoted  Major,  and  Lieut.  Col- 
William  W.  Mason,  ist  Lieut.,  term  expired  Aug.  28,  1864- 
Hiram  V.  Algur,  2d  Lieut.,  resigned  Sept.  18,  1864. 

Abiel  Rosengrant,  ist  Serg.,  pronioted  Capt.  Oct.  ii,  1864. 
Thos.  Mason,  Corporal,  killed  in  Miss.,  May  28,  1862. 
John  Kuykendall  Corpl,  wounded;  M.  O.  Oct.  ii,  ’60. 
George  Griffon,  Wagoner,  re-enlisted  as  veteran. 

Allen,  Ephraim  G.,  Private. 

Boden,  Henry,  “ re-enlisted  as  veteran. 

Compton,  Louis,  “ •'  “ 

Chorndor,  Charles,  disb.  Sept.  4,  1865;  disability. 

Conner,  John,  Privaie. 

Earles,  William,  Private,  died  at  Ironton,  Mo.,  Dec.  13,  ’61. 
Hawk,  John  J.,  died  at  St.  Louis,  Oct.  18,  1862. 

Hennesy,  William,  Private. 

Mathews,  Daniel  C.,  died  Jan.  28,  near  Buckhart,  1865. 
McCoy,  Alfred.  Private, discharged  April  3,  1862 
Michael,  Lucas,  Private,  killed  at  Vicksburg,  May  20,  1863. 
Noe,  John  C.,  “ mustered  out  Nov.  24  1865. 

Reed,  James,  “ discharged  April  8,  1861  ; disb. 

Robinson,  Geo.  W.,  Private,  dis.  Oct.  31,  1862  ; disability. 
Regan,  Timothy,  Private,  re-enlisted  as  veteran. 
Simondson,  Thomas,  Private. 

Smith,  Geo.,  Private,  died  at  St.  Louis,  March  24,  1863. 
Smith,  Henry,  Private,  discharged  Jan.  16,  1864  ; wounds. 
Shaw,  Henry,  “ re-enlisted  as  veteran. 

Wallace,  Charles,  died  at  Ironton,  Mo.,  Nov  4,  1861. 
Berry,  Marion,  Recruit,  mustered  out  Nov.  24,  1865. 

Crain,  Wm.  IF, Vet.  Recruit,  M.  O.,  Nov.  24,  ’65,  as  Corpl. 
Cook,  Joseph  S.,  Recruit,  discharged  Nov.  8,  1862;  disb. 
Coffman,  Adam,  Recruit. 

Durbin,  John,  died  at  River  Station,  Mo.,  April  22,  1862. 
Good,  Jasper  N.,  Recruit. 

Ginger,  Win.  G..  Recruit,  dis.  Mar.  8.  ’65;  term  expired. 
Jodence,  Henry,  Recruit,  mustered  out  Nov.  24,  1865. 
Johnson,  Augustus  C.,  Recruit. 

Miller,  Charles,  died  at  Terre  Bonne,  La.,  Jan.  12,  1865. 
Pherigo,  Napoleon  B.,  Vet.  Recruit,  M.  O.  Nov.  24,  1865. 
Painter,  Hiram  H.,  Recruit,  M.  O.  Nov.  24,  1865. 

Shaw,  Montgomery,  Recruit,  dis.  April  9,  1863  ; disability. 
Thomas,  Jas..  Vet  , died  at  Terre  Bonne,  Sept.  17,  1864. 
Walden,  Jos.,  killed,  accident  N.  O.  & O.  R.  R , Mar.  2,  ’65. 


MUSTER  ROLL 

Of  Company  I.,  41st  Regiment  111.  Volunteers. 
Was  organized  in  Decatur,  in  Colonel  Pugh's 
Regiment,  and  sworn  into  United  States  service, 
August  5,  1861.  This  company  was  recruited 
at  Mt.  Auburn,  in  the  northern  part  of  Chris- 
tian county,  in  the  month  of  July,  1861,  by 
Capt.  Benj.  B.  Bacon.  This  company  was  in 
the  same  regiment  with  Capt.  F.  M.  Long. 
They  styled  themselves,  “Mt  Auburn  Tigers.” 

Benjamin  B Bacon,  Captain,  resigned  March  4,  1862. 
Francis  M.  Green,  Captain,  term  expired  Aug  20,  1864. 
Benj.  R.  Parrish,  ist  Lieut.,  resigned  Sept.  28,  1862. 
Leander  Green,  ist  Lieut.,  term  expired  Aug.  20,  1864. 
Philip  J.  Frederick,  2d  Lieut.,  term  expired  -Vug.  20,  1864. 
William  Batterson,  ist  Sergeant,  died  at  La  Grange,  term 
expired  March  ii,  1863. 

Geo.  C.  Baugh,  i Serg  , died  at  Memphis,  Apr  9,  ’63,  wounds 
Wm.  Cochran,  ist  Sergeant,  M.  O.  Aug.  20.  1864. 

James  R.  Dickson,  Sergeant,  died  May  14,  1862;  wounds. 
Melcher,  Repp.  Serg.,  died  home,  April  5,  1863  ; prisoner. 
Henry  C.  Porter,  Sergeant,  mustered  out  Oct.  20,  1864. 
Robert  W.  Richards,  Corporal,  re-enlisted  as  veteran. 

Benj.  Blankenbaker,  Corporal,  M.  O.  Aug.  20,  1864. 

Geo.  C.  Baugh,  Corporal,  wounded;  promoted  ist  Sergt. 
Hiram  Hoagland,  Corporal,  mustered  out  Aug.  20.  1864. 
Marion  R.  Shade,  Corporal,  M.  O.  Aug.  20,  1864.  as  Sergt. 
David  Crompton,  Cork  killed  at  Ft.  Donelson,  Feb.  15,  ’62. 
Michael  Clark,  Corporal,  deserted  Jan.  28,  1862. 

Joseph  White,  Musician,  discharged  Nov.  25,  1861  ; disb. 
Lewis  White,  discharged  Sept,  25,  1861;  disability. 

Frank  A.  Lindsley,  Wagoner,  killed  at  Jackson,  July  12,  '63. 
Barchell,  Jeremiah,  Private,  M.  O.,  Aug  20,  ’64. 

Baughman,  John,  “ “ “ “ as  Corpl. 

Batterton,  Henry,  Private,  died  April  24,  1862. 

Borley,  Isaac,  Private,  M.  O.  Aug.  20,  1864,  as  Corpl. 


Bibler,  James  H , Private,  mustered  out  Aug.  20,  1864. 
Baughman,  John,  “ promoted  Commissary  Sergt. 

Baughman,  Paul,  “ mustered  out  Aug,  20,  1864. 

Coppley,  Wm.  H.,  died  at  La  Grange,  Tenn.,  July,  13,  '62. 

Crawford,  Henry  G.,  Private,  mustered  out 1864. 

Churchill,  John,  Private,  re-enlisted  as  veteran. 

Clink,  William,  '*  “• 

Crand,  Benj.  F.,  ‘‘  “ " 

Conner,  Barney,  killed  at  Ft.  Donaldson,  Feb.  15.  1862. 
Campbell,  Henry,  dis.  Jan.  i,  1863  ; accidental  wounds. 
Dickerson,  William,  died  March,  26,  1862;  on  furlough. 
Druin,  Barney,  Private,  mustered  out  Aug.  20,  1864. 
Decker,  Abraham,  Private,  re-enlisted  as  veteran. 

Erwin,  Samuel,  mustered  out  Aug.  20,  1864. 

English,  James  D.,  Private,  re-eniisted  as  veteran, 

Fletcher,  John  G.,  “ mustered  out  Aug.  20,  1864. 

Fowks,  George  W.,  '*  died  July  22,  1863;  wounds. 

Grider,  Jonathan,  “ dis.  Jan.  20,  1862,  as  Corpl. 

Goodrich,  John,  “ re  enlisted  as  veteran. 

Goodrich,  Chauncey  G.,  Private,  mustered  out  .-\ug.  20.  ’64. 
Henderson,  Charles,  Private,  mustered  out  Aug.  20,  1864. 
ILivoner,  Randolph, 

Hill,  Joseph, 

Hopkins,  John  B., 

Harmon,  John, 

Humphrey,  John  D., 

Harworth,  George, 

Linder,  Henry, 

Loutzenhouser,  John  H..  Private,  M.  O.  Aug.  20,  1864. 
Lawton,  John,  Private,  mustered  out  Aug.  20,  1864. 

Lee,  Eliel  T.,  “ re-enlisted  as  veteran. 

Morgan,  Charles,  “ killed  at  Ft.  Donelson,  Feb.  15,  '62. 
Miller,  Harrison,  Private,  re-enlisted  as  veteran. 

McKaig,  Joh.i,  “ mustered  out  Aug.  20,  1864. 

Marshall,  Alexander,  “ “ •'  *' 

McClusky,  Charles,  “ discharged,  April  25,  1862  ; died 
■Murry,  John,  Private,  died  at  Ft.  Donelson,  Feb.  15,  62. 
McCoy,  Jacob,  Private,  discharged  Jan.  27,  1862;  wounds. 
Medcalf.  Chas,  Private,  died  at  Paducah,  Ky.,  Jan  15,  '63. 
Nance,  James  L.,  Private,  M.  O.  Aug.  20,  1864,  as  Sergt. 
Osborn,  James.  Private,  mustered  out  Aug.  20,  1864. 
Patrick,  Peter,  Private,  transf.  to  Inval  d Corps,  Sept.  15,  ’63. 
Patrick.  Henry  L.,  Private,  re-enlisted  as  veteran. 

Pete,  William  R.,  Private,  deserted  Feb.  10,  1862. 

Pontis,  John,  “ mustered  out  Aug.  20,  1864. 

Pharis,  Martin,  died  at  Nashville,  Tenn.,  |an.  30,  1864. 
Ransomer.  Jacob,  Private,  mustered  out  .-\ug.  20,  1864. 
Sherman,  Theodore,  Piivate.  M.  O.  Aug.  20,  64  ,as  Sergt. 
Shanafell,  David,  Private,  M.  O.,  Aug.  20,  1864,  as  Sergt. 
Stobaugh,  James  W.,  Private,  mustered  out  Aug.  20,  1864. 
Shatza,  Alfred,  “ re-enhsted  as  veteran. 

Swisher,  Lerhan.  died  at  Fort  Donaldson.  March  3,  1862. 
Scott,  Michigan  C.,  Private,  mustered  out  Aug.  20,  1864. 
Sergeant,  .-Vndrew  J.,  “ “ “ “ 

Taylor,  Wesley,  “ “ " ‘‘ 

Troxel,  Aaron,  Private,  killed  at  Ft.  Donelson,  Feb.  15,  '62. 
Wilcox,  Geo.,  Private  died  at  Memphis,  Tenn  , April  28,  '6j. 
Williams,  John  B.,  at  Annapolis,  Oct.  2.  ’63  ; was  prisoner. 
Watbrook,  Joseph,  Private  discharged  June  10,  1862. 
Wilhelm,  John,  mustered  out  .Aug.  20  1864. 
i Ware,  Carhs,  killed  at  Jackson.  Miss  , July  12,  1863. 

I Clink,  William,  Veteran,  transf.  to  Co.  B.  Veteran  Battalion. 
I Decker,  Abraham,  “ ‘‘  “ “ 

English,  James  D.,  “ “ *•  ‘‘ 

Goodrich,  John,  ‘‘  “ ■“ 

Harwith,  George,  “ ‘‘  “ “ 

Miller,  Harrison,  “ “ “ 

Miller,  Maxwell  M.“  “ 

Patrick,  Henry  L.,  ‘‘  “ “ " 

Rickard  Robert  W..  transf.  to  Co  B.  Veteran  Bat. 
j Blankenship,  Robert  W.,  transf.  to  Co.  B.  Veteran  B it. 

I Baughman,  Daniel,  Recruit,  transf.  to  Co.  B.  Veteran  Bat. 
Henshie,  Jacob,  Recruit,  transf.  to  Co.  B.  Veteran  Bat. 
Housley,  Presley  D.,  Recruit,  transf.  to  Co.  B.  Veteran  Bat. 
Miller,  Henry  G.,  Recruit,  transf,  to  Co.  B.  Veteran  Bat. 
Miller  Maxwell  AI.,  Recruit,  re-enlisted  as  veteran. 

Miller,  Francis  M.,  Recruit,  trans.  to  Co.  B.  Veteran  Bat. 

A letter,  written  just  after  the  battle  of  Fort 
Donelson,  by  a private  in  Captain  (Simpson’s 
company,  referring  to  the  manner  in  which 
some  of  our  Christian  county  boys  bore  them- 
selves in  tliat  memorable  engagement,  states 
tliat  George  Funk  fought  like  a hero;  Benj. 
Pilate  stole  off  before  the  fight,  and  was  never 
seen  until  the  fort  was  surrendered.  Cajitain 
Bacon,  of  the  l\It.  Auburn  Company,  ran  like  a 
coward!  He  has  been  sent  home.  Lieut.  Jolin 
Davis  ( Job’s  John)  had  command  of  his  com- 
pany, and  he  went  in  with  a Sharp’s  rifle,  cooly 
giving  orders  to  his  men,  and  laughing  all  the 
i time. 


re-enlisted  as  veteran, 
mustered  out  Aug.  20,  1864. 

it  it  ii 

re-enlisted  as  veteran, 
died  at  Vicksburg,  June  4 64. 


88 


UlSTORY  OF  CHRISTIAN  COUNTY,  ILLINOIS. 


ONE  nUNDRED  AND  FIFTEENTH  REGIMENT,  ILLINOIS  VOLUNTEERS, 
GEN.  JESSE  II  MOORE,  Colonel  ill  Command. 

Company  A of  this  regiment  was  recruited  from  Christian  county, 
by  Capt.  J.  W.  Laphani  and  others,  at  Camp  Butler,  Sept,  loth, 
1862.  The  regiment  was  organized-  and  sworn  into  the  U.  S.  ser- 
vice, Sejit.  19th,  1862.  Ordered  into  the  field  on  the  4th  October, 
1862.  lleported  to  Maj.  Gen.  Wright,  at  Cincinnati,  Ohio,  on  the 
6th  of  October,  and  on  the  same  day  crossed  the  river  into  Ky., 
and  reported  to  Gen.  A.  J.  Smith.  Marched  through  Ky.,  and  reach- 
ed Xashville,  Tenn.,  Feb.  10th,  1863.  The  regiment  moved  to  Tul- 
lahonia,  and  held  that  post  till  Sept.  5th.,  1S63.  Sc])t.  14th  by  a 
forced  march  across  the  Cumberland  mountains,  reached  Rossville, 
Ga.,  five  miles  south  of  Chattanooga-  Ileniained  four  days.  On  tlie 
18th  Sept.  1863,  engaged  the  enemy  on  the  extreme  lelt,  upon  the 
field  of  Chickamauga.  In  this  engagement  the  regiment  lost  six 
men.  Sept.  20th,  crossed  to  the  support  of  Gen  Tliomas,  on  the 
extreme  right,  leaving  camp  at  sunrise.  Engaged  the  enemy  on 
Thomas’  right  at  1 o’clock,  p.  m.,  with  Steadman’s  division,  10th  reg- 
iment’s reserve  corps.  After  a most  fearful  struggle,  held  the  ground 
till  night-  Half  the  entire  command  was  cut  down.  Col  IMoore 
and  his  reiriment  were  commended  for  their  bravery  in  orders.  It 
j>articii)ated  in  all  the  engagements  around  Chattanooga  and  INIis- 
sion  Ridge.  The  regiment  lo.st,  in  killed,  wounded  and  cajitured, 
in  the  campaign  around  Chattanooga,  in  the  full  of  1863,  about  235 
men  an  l 10  otfic3r.s.  About  21st  of  February,  1864,  marched  with 
a detachment  of  the  Army  of  the  Cumberland,  under  Gen.  Falmer^ 
against  Dalton,  Ga.  Spent  ten  days  feeling  the  enemy,  and  return- 
ed to  camp,  near  Cleveland,  Tenn.  The  regiment  lost  6 men.  Re- 
mained here  til!  the  3d  of  May,  when,  with  Gen.  Sherman's  grand 
army,  .started  on  the  Atlanta  campaign.  The  115th  regiment  on 
the  7tli  of  ^lay,  led  the  charge  upon  Tunnel  Hill,  Ga.,  driving  the 
enemy  through  Buzzard  Roost  Gap.  The  15th  and  16th  of  May 
engaged  in  battle  at  Resaca,  Ga  , sustained  stubbornly  a charge  up- 
on the  left  flank,  for  which  the  regiment  was  commended  in  orders. 
Lost  in  this  contest  about  thirty  men  and  officers. 

All  the  j)riucij>al  engagements  of  the  military  division  of  the  IMis- 
.si.ssii>pi  were  inscribed,  by  orders,  upon  the  regimental  banner.  The 


regiment  lost  during  the  Atlanta  campaign,  about  100  men  When 
General  Sherman  marched  to  the  sea,  Gen.  Thomas’  com- 
mand was  detached  and  ordered  to  Tennessee,  to  watch  the  move- 
ments of  Gen.  Hood.  The  115th  regiment  was  with  this  force  in 
the  second  brigade,  first  division,  fourth  army  corps.  The  regiment 
took  an  active  part  iu  the  engagements,  which,  in  November  and 
December,  1864,  resulted  in  the  destruction  of  Bragg’s  old  veteran 
army,  known  as  the  “ Army  of  the  Tennessee,”  and  then  command- 
ed by  confederate  Gen.  Hood.  The  brigade  to  which  the  115th  Il- 
linois regiment  belonged  for  nearly  two  years,  without  material  al- 
teration, was  known  throughout  the  dei)artnient  as  the  “ Iron  Bri- 
gade,” and  was,  for  the  most  part,  up  to  the  2.3d  of  December,  1864, 
commanded  by  Gen.  AValter  C.  AVhitaker,  of  Ky.,  who  neglected 
no  opportunity  to  win  distinction  for  himself  and  his  command. 

On  the  23d  of  December,  1864,  while  pursuing  Gen.  Hood,  in 
his  retreat  from  Nashville,  Col.  J.  11.  Moore,  of  the  115th  Illinois 
regimenf,  took  command  of  this  sjilendid  brigade,  and  continued 
its  commander  till  it  was  mu.Acrcd  out  of  the  service,  at  the  close 
of  the  war.  Col.  Moore  was  breveted  Brigadier  General  before 
leaving  the  army. 

Gen.  Hood  having  been  driven,  after  his  defeat  at  Nashville, 
Tenn.,  with  the  remains  of  a broken  army,  across  the  Tennessee,  the 
115th  regiment,  with  the  Fourth  Army  Corps,  marched  to  Hunts- 
ville, Ala.,  and  went  into  camp  on  the  5th  of  January,  1865. 
Marched  thence,  on  the  14th  of  March,  into  Ea.st  Tennessee,  thence 
expecting  to  move  by  the  way  of  Lynchburg,  Virginia,  to  assist  in 
the  capture  of  Richmond.  But,  while  in  the  vicinity  of  Greenville, 
Tenn.,  Richmond  fell,  and  Gen.  Lee  surrendered. 

The  regiment  then  moved  with  the  Fourth  Army  Corps,  and 
went  into  camp  near  Nashville,  Tenn.,  and  there  remained  until  mus- 
tered out  of  the  service,  June  11th,  1865.  Arrived  at  Camp  Butler, 
Ills.,  1865,  and  received  final  pay  and  discharge  June  23d, 
1865. 

Thus  it  will  be  seen  that  Company  A,  from  Christian  county  was 
engaged  in  many  hard-fought  battles,  and  did  honor  to  itself 
and  the  county  wiiich  gave  it  birth.  Capt.  Hanon  and  Lieut.  J. 
B.  Gore  were  taken  prisoners. 


MUSTER  ROLL  OF  COMPANY  A. 

].  \V.  Lipham.  Capt.,  prom.  Major,  M.  O.  June  ii,  1865. 
jesse  Hanon,  Jr.,  C.iptain,  mustered  out  June  ii,  1865. 
Arthur  C.  Bankston,  1st  Lieut.,  resigned  llec  30.  1862. 
Joseph  15  Gore,  ist  Lieut.,  mustered  out  June  ii,  1865. 
William  F.  Gore,  M.  O.  June  11,  1865  as  ist  Sergeant. 
William  J.  Jones.  Sergeant,  discharged  July.  1863. 
Sandford  G.  I lammer.  Sergeant,  discharged  April  30.  1863. 
I'.dward  W.  Paine,  Sergi  transf.  to  the  V.  R.  C.  May  i,  ’64 
William  Young,  Corporal,  discharged  March  18,  1863. 
Ferdinand  F.  Young,  died  Richmond,  Ky.,  Dec.  25,  1862. 

I loratio  N.  Keep,  Corpl.,  Serg't.  died  Oct.  4.  1863,  wounds. 
D.ivid  |.  Denton,  Corporal,  mustered  out  June  it,  1865. 
Kdwin  Voung,  " " " 

j.imes  MeSpates,  “ “ “ " 

(Jeorge  Large.  Corpl.,  M.  O.  June  ii,  1865,  as  Sergeant. 
Christian  D.  Cowgill,  Musician,  discharged  April  30,  1863. 
Joseph  Large,  Musician,  M.  O.  June  21,  1865,  prisoner. 
Francis  M.  Sherrill,  died  at  Covington,  Ky.,  Oct.  22,  1862. 
Allen.  Samuel  J.,  Private,  mustered  out  June  11,  1865. 
Al.imon,  Robert  S..  I’rivate,  “ *'  “ 

Anderson,  Samuel  'I'.,  Private,  drowned  Sep.  24,  1863. 
I’.iher,  John  M.,  Private,  M.  O.  June  it,  1865. 
ll.iker,  .Martin  V.,  died  at  I.cxington,  Ky.,  Oct,  10,  1862. 
P.ankston,  Joshua  15.,  discharged  April  25,  1864,  wounds, 
liankston,  Winfielrl  S.,  I’rivaie,  discharged  Feb.  4.  1863' 
P.owinan,  Joshua,  Private,  M.  O.  June  it,  1865. 

Itradley,  la!,indcr.  Private,  .\L  O.  June  it,  1863. 

Itugg,  William,  Private,  ,\I.  O.  June  ii,  1865,  Furlough. 
Itrorlerick,  James  Private,  ,M.  C).  June  it,  1865. 

Coffey,  Bonaparte,  died  at  Danville,  Ky..  J.in.  23.  1863. 
(..'offey,  Ishain,  Private,  .\I.  O.  June  it,  1865. 


Calloway,  Achilles  R.  dis.  Mar.  25,  1865,  accidental  wound. 
Cowgill,  Edw  D.,  died  Chattanooga, T.  Sep.  30,  ’63,  wounds, 
(.ihilds,  Wm.  H.,  Private,  M.  O.  June  19,  1865,  war  prisoner. 
Clark,  lidwin,  died  Phila.,  Tenn..  Mar.  24.  1865,  wound. 
Chastain,  Thomas,  Jr.,  Private,  M.  O.  June  11.  1865. 
Devine,  James,  Private,  discharged  May  25,  1865,  wounds. 
Denton,  Micager,  Private,  M.  O.  June  22,  1865. 

Dcnlon,  Micager,  mustered  out  June  ii,  1865. 

Demining,  Leonard  died  at  Richmond,  Ky.,  Jan.  14,  1863. 
Easley,  Joseph,  Private,  discharged  July  19.  1864,  wounds. 
Fraley,  Jerome  B.,  Private, discharged  May  ii,  1863;  disab. 

I'lemming,  Benjamin,  Private,  M.  O.  June  ii,  1865. 

Gore,  John,  “ “ 

German,  Chas.  W.,  " 

ll.inon,  Francis  M.,  Private,  discharged  June  4,  1863. 
Hatfield,  John  IL,  Private,  M.  O.  June  11.  1865. 

H. islett,  Geo.,  Private,  dicil  Cleveland,  Tenn.,  Mar.  28,  ’64. 
Hill,  Charles,  Private,  M.  O.  June  ii,  1865,  as  Corporal. 
Jones,  John,  I’rivate,  discharged  January  19,  1863  ; disab. 
j.irvis  ‘David,  Private,  M.  O.  June  11,  1865:  ,as  Corporal. 
■Johnson,  J.as.  D.,  Private,  dis.  becember  10,  1864;  wounds. 
Johnson,  Isaac,  Priv.ite,  died  Lexington,  Ky.,  Nov.  ii.  '62. 
Kclsay,  Stanton  Private,  transf.  to  Eng.  Corps,  July  29,  64. 
Kelley,  Jasper  N.,  Priv.ite,  discharged  April  20,  1863. 
Ketchan.  Daniel  L.,  Private,  M.  O.  June  ii.  1865,  as  Corpl, 
Large,  John.  Private,  M.  O.  June  11,  1865. 

I,  ingley,  Alfred  C.,  “ " 

L uvton,  James,  " " " “ 

Lee,  Ricliard,  ” " " '* 

Leeper,  Alfred  B.,  " " ‘‘  " as  Sergt, 

Line,  Daniel,  Private,  transferred  to  V.  R.  C. 

Morrow,  James,  " M.  O.  June  11,  1865. 

.Me  Elroy,  James  " *•  “ " 


McCrary,  James,  Piivate,  June  ii  1863. 

McCoy,  James  H.  “ “ “ “ as  Sergt. 

McCune,  Wm  , Private,  killed  by  Guerrillas,  March  ii  ’65. 
Milligan,  Jesse  G.,  Private,  M.  6.  July  ii,  1865. 

Mitchell  Daniel  M.,  Private,  absent;  wounded. 

Morris,  Wm.  A.,  Private,  absent;  sick,  at  M.  O.  of  Regt. 
Madison  Nicholas  C.,  Private,  M.  O.  July  11,  1865. 
McDonald,  Samuel  G , died  Franklin,  Tenn.,  April  27,  ’63. 
Messier,  Vincent,  died  at  Chattanooga,  Nov.  4,  ’63;  wounds. 
Orr,  Samuel  M.,  Private,  discharged  June  19,  1863. 

Paine,  Anson,  ‘‘  " April  20  1863. 

Russell,  Joseph,  " M.  O.  June  11,  1865, 

Shaw,  James,  died  at  Nashville,  Tenn  , Feb.  21,  1863. 
Sowers,  ICdward  F.,  Private,  M.  O.  June  ii,  1865. 

Spindle,  Thomas,  " discharged  April  20,  1863. 

Shctlcr,  Jeremiah  " M.  O.  June  11,1865. 

Sullivan!  John,  " “ " war  pris. 

Shaw,  Robert  M.,  “ “ “ as  Sergt. 

Throckmorton,  David  “ “ “ as  Corpl. 

Watkins,  Enos,  " " " 

Williams  W'm.  B.,  died  at  N.ashvillc,  Tenn  , Mar.  24,  1863. 
W.llard,  Bcnj.unin  F.,  Private  M.  O.  June  it.  1865. 
Barnhart.  Philip,  Recruit,  M.  O.  December  16,  1865. 
Bradlev,  Geo.  \V..  Recruit,  transferred  to  21st  111.  Infantry. 
Chastain,  James  M.,  Recruit,  transf  to  aist  111.  Infantry. 
Demass,  Charles,  Recruit,  transferred  to  21st  111.  Infantry. 
Havcrfielil,  .\lvin,  died  at  Huntsville,  Ala.,  Mar.  5 1865. 
Hollowav.  D.uiiel  Recruit,  transferred  to  21st  111.  Inf. 


Jeffrey,  jno.  L.,  Recruit,  M.  O.  Dec.  16,  1865. 

Langley",  Thomas  J.,  Recruit,  transferred  to  21st  111.  Inf. 
Russell,  Newton  J.',  Recruit,  transferred  to  21st  111.  Inf.intry. 
Stevens,  Andrew  j.,  Recruit,  transferred  to  21st  111.  Inf.intry. 


HISTORY  OF  CHRISTIAN  COUNTY,  ILLINOIS. 


89 


MUSTER  ROLL  OF  COMPANY  E. 

Capt.  Lane. 

Capt.  Whittaker. 

Bcnj.  Ramsey,  CorpI,  died  at  Danville,  Ky.,  June  17,  1863. 
Michael  Ramsey,  died  at  Lexington,  Ky.,  Nov.  ii,  1862. 
Randall  R.  .\dams,  Corporal,  M.  O.  June  ii,  1865. 

Geo.  N.  Junken,  Corporal,  Sergt.  wounded  and  missing  in 
action  Chickamauga,  Sep.  20,  1863. 

Wm.  S.  Horesley,  M.  O.  June  ii,  1865.  as  Sergt;  prisoner. 
Jno.  T.  Stark,  M.  O.  June  ii,  1865,  as  Sergt.  war  prisoner. 
Cummings,  John,  Private,  absent,  sick  M.  O.  of  Regt. 
Crooks,  Geo.  W.,  Private,  died  in  Christian  co.,  Nov.  6,  ’65. 
Crafton,  John,  Private,  died  at  Nashville,  Tenn.,  Mar.  4.  ’63. 
D.irmer,  John  O.,  Private,  dis.  May  15,  1865  ; wounds. 
D.irmer,  Wm.  C.,  Private,  M.  O.  July  i,  1865:  war  pris. 
De  Astly,  Alfred  H.,  died  at  Nashville,  Tenn.,  Mar.  3,  '63. 
Edmonds  Joseph  R.,  Private,  M.  O.  June  11,  1865. 
Goodrich,  Ira,  Private,  M.  O.  June  11,  1865. 

Goodrich,  Oliver  P.,  died  in  Christian  co.  111.,  Oct  16,  ’62. 


Gilhousen,  Frederick  .S.,  Private,  M.  O.  June  ii,  1863. 
Green,  Robert  L.,  died  at  Nashville,  Tenn.,  Feb.  i,  1865. 
Henry,  William  G , Private,  M.  O.  June  11,  1865. 
Hollingsworth,  .Shelby,  transferred  to  Co.  A.  21st  111.  Inf. 
Hurst,  William  M.,  dis.  August  3,  1864,  as  Corpl. ; wounds. 
Hammil,  Charles  B.,  Private,  M.  O.  June  ii,  1865. 

Hurst,  Bement,  Private,  transf.  to  V.  R.  C.  April  30,  ’64. 
Herdman,  John  H.,  Private,  M.O.  June  ii.  1865,  as  Corpl. 
Lovel,  Samuel  J.,  died  at  Franklin,  Tenn.,  May  10,  1863. 
Long.  Joseph  W.,  Private,  M.  O.  June  ii,  1863. 

McV'ey,  Eli,  “ “ “ 

McVey,  Levi,  “ “ “ 

McRenolds,  Newton  W.,  Private,  dis.  Feb.  25,  '64 ; wounds. 
Pope,  Zachariah,  died  at  Lexington.  Ky.,  Nov.  lo,  1862. 
Patrick,  Thomas  B.,  Private,  M.  O.  June  ii,  1865. 
Prettyman,  Daniel  H.,  “ died  at  Danville,  Ky.,  Feb.  ’63. 

Randall.  Garret  B.,  Private,  M.  O.  June  it,  1865. 

Ruby,  Henry  J.,  killed  at  Chickamauga,  Sep.  20,  1863. 
Routledge,  Silas,  Private,  M.  O.  May  23,  1863. 


Routledge,  William,  Private,  wounded  and  missing  inaction 
at  Chickamauga,  Sep.,  20,  1863. 

Rams.ay.  James,  Private,  died  at  Danville,  Ky..  Jan.  ii,  '63. 
Rush,  Wm.  E..  Private,  died  at  Danville,  Ky.,  Jan.  31.  1863. 
Ruby,  Levias,  Private,  died  at  Franklin,  Tenn.,  April  23,  '63. 

J Rush,  Francis  M..  Private,  mustered  out  June  11,  1863. 

; Smith,  Isaac  B.,  died  at  Richmond,  Ky.,  jan.  i,  1863. 
Stark,  Jesse  M.,  Private,  M.  O.  June  ii,  1863. 

Teter,  Samuel,  ‘‘  dis.  Jan.  24,  1863  ; disability. 
Traves.  James  E.,  died  at  Franklin,  Tenn.,  April  22,  1863. 

I Thompson,  Wm.  D..  Private,  wounded  and  missing  in  action 
I at  Chickamauga,  Sep.  20,  1863. 

White,  William,  Private,  discharged  Feb.  4,  1863;  disab. 
Williams,  Loton  G.,  Private,  M.  O June  ii.  1863. 

Wood,  Francis  E.,  “ dis.  Dec.  27,  1862  ; disab. 

West,  James  M.,  Private,  discharged  July  9 1862  ; disability. 
White  Geo,  T.,  “ discharged  April  18, 1863  ; disab. 

Waddle,  Joseph  W.,  Private,  M.  O.  June  ii,  1863. 

Young,  Peter  C.,  ‘ '*  “• 


ONE  HUNDRED  AND  THIRTIETH  INFANTRY  REGIMENT. 

Tliis  regiment  was  organized  by  Col.  Nathaniel  Niles,  at  Camp 
Butler,  ill  Oct,  1862,  and  mustered  into  service  Oct.  25,  1862. 
Company  1),  of  this  regiment,  was  mostly  from  the  north-western 
part  of  Christian  county.  It  was  recruited  mainly  through  the 
efforts  of  Cajit.  Daniel  DeCamp,  of  Edinburg.  The  regiment 
moved  from  Camp  Butler,  Nov.  10,  1862,  and  arrived  at  Memphb, 
Tenn.,  the  18th  of  the  same  montli,  and  was  assigned  to  Provost 
duty.  It  was  moved  from  this  point  to  Louisiana,  Was  with 
Gen.  Banks’  army,  bound  for  Shreveport,  La.  On  marching  from 
Alexandria,  up  Red  river,  driving  the  enemy  until  Sabine  Cro.ss 
Roads  was  reached  on  the  8th  of  April,  1864,  when  the  enemy 
made  an  attack  and  defeated  the  Union  forces.  The  next  day  another 
battle  was  fought  at  Pleasant  Hill,  ending  in  the  complete  defeat 
of  the  confederates,  after  which  Gen.  Banks  retreated  down  the 
river.  Tliis  is  known  in  history  as  “ Gen.  Banks’  disaster  on  Red 
River.”  The  part  Company  D bore  in  this  fight  is  more  particu- 
larly detailed  in  a letter  to  the  Press,  of  tliis  county, 

written  by  Aaron  V.  Davis,  a private,  from  Camp  Ford,  (near 
Tyler)  Texas,  dated  April  20,  1864.  It  says  : 

“The  character  of  the  fight,  and  the  fate  of  the  130th  regiment,  and 
tlie  part  our  Company  bore  in  it  you  doubtless  have  learned  ere  this. 
Company  D,  of  Christian  county,  went  into  the  fight  at  Mansfield,  April 
8,  18G4,  with  thlrty  onc  men,  under  the  command  of  Lieut.  Paulen,  (as 
Capt.  DeCamp  was  under  arrest  for  some  trivial  offence,  and  in  conse- 
quence was  not  with  us.) 


The  following  are  the  losses  in  killed  and  wounded  of  Company  D : 

7u7fed— Elija  J.  Bankston,  of  Edinburg.  Wounded — G.  W.  Westbrook, 
badly;  Cyrus  Murphy,  Allen  Moore,  .Jacob  E.  Berry.  Prisoners— Jasper 
Cagle,  Nathan  C.  Potts,  Alexander  May,  Aaron  V.  Ralston,  Aquilla  M. 
Council,  G.  W.  Y'oung,  Aaron  V.  Davis,  William  Kelsey,  Othniel  Mc- 
Kenzie, Thomas  W.  Orr,  Joseph  Murray,  Cliarles  Gonzeal,  Ben.  Iv.  Prater, 
aiul  Geo.  Bunn.  The  rest  of  the  Company  is  missing,  and  their  fate, 
at  present,  is  unknown. 

Ill  Oct.,  1864,  the  regiment  was  ordered  to  New  Orleans  for 
Provost  duty.  Whilst  here,  by  an  order  issued  Jan.  21,  1865,  the 
130th  regiment  was  consolidated  with  the  77th  Illinois  Yolunteei-s. 
Some  of  the  officers  were  retained,  and  others  mustered  out.  On 
the  1st  of  IMarch,  1865,  the  consolidated  77th  regiment  was  as.signed 
to  the  First  Brigade,  3d  Division,  13th  Army  Corps,  and  transpor- 
ted for  duty  before  IMoliile,  Ala.  The  regiment  was  with  Gen. 
Canby’s  army  during  the  entire  siege  and  capture  of  the  Spanish 
Forts,  Blakley  and  Mobile,  and  was  under  fire  during  the  entire 
time.  The  day  following,  the  entry  into  Mobile,  the  77th  regiment 
was  with  forces,  in  their  march  up  the  Tombigbee  river,  in  search 
of  Gen  Dick  Taylor’s  army.  After  proceeding  up  the  river  some 
sixty  miles,  it  was  recalled  to  Mobile — t'ne  confederate  forces 
througliout  the  country  having  surrendered. 

On  the  7th  of  July,  1865,  an  order  was  issued  to  revive  the 
130th  regiment,  and  it  was  moved  to  New  Orleans,  where  it  was 
mustered  out  of  service,  Aug.  15,  1865,  and  arrived  at  Camp  But- 
ler, 111.,  Aug.  26,  1865,  where  it  received  final  paymaut  and  dis- 
charge. 


ROLL  OF  COMPANY  D. 

D.^niel  DeCamp,  Captain,  resigned  June  nth,  1864. 

Robert  W.  Orr,  Copt.,  M.  0.,at  Consolidation,  Jan.  23,  ’63. 
Abraham  May,  ist  Lieutenant,  resigned  Feb.  2,  1864. 
J.asper  Cagle,  ist  Lieut.,  M.  O.,  as  Sergt.  77th  Inf.,  -\ug. 
15,  1865,  prisoner  of  war. 

James  B.  Halford,  2d  Lieut.,  discharged  July  3,  1863. 
Samuel  S.  Prater,  Sergt., 

Jacob  A.  Cook,  Sergt.,  deserted  Feb  3,  1863. 

Wm.  T.  Crosswait,  Sergt.,  discharged  .\lay  5,  1864,  for  Pro. 
Nathan  C.  Potts,  Corporal,  M.  O,,  June  17.  1863,  prisoner. 
Charles  Smith,  Corporal,  M.  O.,  Aug.  14,  1863. 

William  T.  Hill,  Corporal,  deserted  Jan.  26,  1863. 

John  Hazlett,  Corporal. 

Alex.  May,  Corporal,  mustered  out  June  17, 1863,  prisoner. 
Charles  W.  Graham,  Corporal,  M.  O.  Aug.  15,  1865. 
Phares,  Urich,  Corporal,  absent ; sick  at  M.  O.  Regt. 

Jas.  M.  Redfern,  Corporal,  deserted  Jan.  26,  1864. 

Rufus  D.  Langley,  Wagoner,  deserted  Jan.  26, 1863. 
Bishop,  Isaac,  Private,  deserted  Jan.  2b,  1863. 

Berry.  Jas.  F.,  “ 

Beverly,  Charles,  “ killed  at  Vicksburg,  May  22,  1863. 
Blount,  Jesse,  " died  at  Vicksburg,  June  4,  1863. 

Berry,  Benj.  N.,  “ M.  O.  Aug.  13,  1865. 

Burris,  Nelson,  “ •'  “ “ 

Bunn,  Geo.,  “ M.  O.  June  17,  1863. 

Council,  Aqui. la  M.,  Private,  M.  O.  June  17,  1863,  prisoner. 
Casey,  John  W.,  Private. 

Casey,  William  M.,  “ M.  O.  Aug.  15,  1865. 

Cagle,  David  M.,  “ “•  “ “ 

12 


Duncan,  Leander,  J.,  M.  O.  Aug.  16,  1865,  as  2d  Lieut. 
Davis,  John  Private,  died  Memphis,  Tenn.,  Jan.  14, '63. 
DeAuglish,  Oliver,  Private, 

Dickson,  Thomas  N , ‘‘  deserted  Jan.  26,  1863. 

Davis,  Aaron  V.,  ‘‘  M.  O.  June,  15,  1865,  prisoner. 

Dodd,  Daniel  N.,  Private,  killedat  Vicksburg,  June  2,  1863. 
Edwards,  John.  W.,died  at  Memphis,  Tenn.,  Jan.  12,  1863. 
Finley,  Amos  D.,  Private,  M.  O.  Aug.  15,  1865. 

Fleming,  John  M.,  “ 

Gaines,  Samuel,  “ 

Gonzeal,  Charles,  ‘‘ 
j Gulden,  Elam,  " 

Hicks,  John,  “ 

Hildebrand,  Charles,'* 

Hanon,  James,  “ 

Halford,  John  R.,  died  at  Memphis,  Tenn,  Jan.  8,  1863. 
Halford,  Wm.  H.,  Private,  discharged  March  21,  1864. 
Harris,  David  L,  ‘‘  died  New  Orleans,  Mar.  21,  ’64. 

Harvey,  William  D.,  Private. 

Harris,  Wm.  M.,  “ 

Joy,  William,  ‘‘ 

Jessup,  David,  Private,  killed  at  Vicksburg,  May  22,  1863. 
Kelsey,  William,  Private,  M.  O.  Aug.  13, 1865  ; pris.  of  war. 
Knave,  Thomas,  “ “ “ 

Knave,  William  A.,  " “ 

Kerns,  Robert  B.,  “ Transf.  to  Inv.  Corps,  Feb.  23,  ’64. 

Lancaster,  Wm.  H.  D.,  M.  O.  Aug.  13,  1863,  as  Corporal. 
Leisure,  Wm.  E , Private,  died  at  Memphis,  Tenn.,  24,  ’63. 
Leigh,  Edward  L.,  Private. 

McKenzie,  Othniel,  “ M.  O.  June  17,  1863  ; pris.  war. 
Murry,  Joseph,  “ “ '•  “ “ 


It  U It 

“ June  13,  1863,  pris.  of  war. 
“ Aug.  IS,  1865;  furlough. 

“ Aug.  IS,  1865. 
deserted  Jan.  26,  1863 


Miller,  Levi, 

Moore.  Allen, 
Murphy.  Cyrus, 
May,  Allen, 
Mathews,  William  S, 
Orr,  Thos.  W., 
Overton,  Benj.  F., 
Odell,  James  H., 
Potts,  Jesse  H., 
Prater,  Samuel  K 


Private,  died  in  service  in  Laf. 

“ absent,  sick  M.  O.  o Regt. 

“ M.  O.  Aug.  13,  1863. 

absent,  sick  at  M.  O.  Regt. 

M.  O.  Aug.  13,  1865. 

M.  O.  June  17,  1863,  pris.  war. 


killed  accidentally  July  15,  1863. 

iM.  O.  Aug.  15,  1863. 

dis.  Dec.  12,  1863,  for  promotion. 


Pullem,  James,  Private  deserted  Sept.  28,  1863. 


died  at  Memphis,  Jan.  21,  1863. 
killed  at  Vicksburg,  May  22,  1S03. 
Private. 

transf.  to  77th  Regt. 


Prater  Eliphas, 

Peters,  Peter  P.,  ‘ 

Richardson,  John  H, 

Ralston,  Aaron  V., 

Randolph,  Hiram, 

Richardson,  Wm.  E 
Stamphill,  John  W.  '*  M.  O.  Aug.  13,  1863. 

Smith,  Hiram  M.,  Private,  dis.  Jan.  22,  1863  ; disability. 
Smith,  John  B.,  Private. 

Smith,  Wm.  J.,  “ M.  O.  June  17,  1865,  pris.  war. 

Westbrook,  Elijah  T.,  transf.  to  Inv.  Corps,  Feb.  23,  1864. 
Workman,  Joseph,  Private, 

Young,  Geo.  W.,  “ M.  O.  June  17,  1863  ; war  pris. 

Bankston,  Elijah  J.,  killed  on  Red  River,  La.,  April  8,  1864. 
Knave,  Godfrey  P.,  Recruit,  died  at  Memphis,  Dec.  10,  ’62. 
Prickett,  Perry,  Recruit. 

Phips,  Richard  T.,  “ 

Prater,  Benj.  K.,  " M.  O.  June  17,  1863,  pris.  war. 

Sampson,  Wm.  F.,  " M.  O.  Aug.  13,  1865. 

White,  Stephen,  " died  at  Memphis,  Feb.  19,  1863. 


00 


HISTORY  OF  CHRISTIAN  COUNTY,  ILLINOIS. 


COMPANY  A. 130tII  KEGIMENT. 

Matthews,  Sinnet,  Corporal. 

COMPANY  C. 124tII  ILL.  REGIMENT 

Titus,  Alfred  H.,  M.  O.  Aug.  15,  1865. 

COMPANY  K. 

Peter  C.  Rape,  ist  Sergt.,  M.  O.  Aug.  15,  1865. 

George  W.  James,  3d  Corpl.,  M.  O.  Aug.  15,  1865. 

Joseph  Wagoner,  4th  Corpl.  M.  0..-\ug.  15,  1865  as  Corpl. 
Geo.  W.  Easley,  6th  Corpl.,  “ “ “ *' 

Wm.  B.  Hankins,  7th  Corp.,  “ “ “ “ 

Easley,  John  Y.,  Private,  “ “ “ “ 

Hardin,  George,  “ “ “ “ ‘ 

Hardin,  Joseph  B.,  “ “ “ ‘‘  ‘‘ 

Hudson,  Shepherd,  “ “ “ ‘‘  “ 

Proctor,  Jacob  B.,  “ “ “ “ “ 

Peek,  Samuel,  “ “ “ “ “ 

Pugh,  Wm.  R.,  “ 

Craddock,  Wm.  H.  “ discharged  May  5,  1863  ; disab. 

Robinson.  John  M.  “ discharged  Mar.  20,  1863  ; “ 

Tilley,  John  D..  •'  discharged  Dec.  13,  1862  ; ‘‘ 

Proctor,  Benj.  K.  Sergt.  died  Jan.  23,  1864,  Pawnee. 
Easley,  Harrison  T.  died  Dec.  4,  1863,  Black  River,  Miss. 
Kirk,  Joseph,  Private,  died  at  Memphis,  Term.,  Mar.  3,  '63. 
Peek,  Presley,  died  of  woundsat  Vicksburg,  June  27,  '63. 
Peek,  Presley  T.,  died  Lake  Providence,  La.,  Mar.  28,  '63. 
Pugh,  Wm.  J.,  Private,  died  at  Memphis,  Tenn.,  Feb.  6,  ’63. 
Galyen,  John  W.,  deserted  at  Vicksburg,  July  31,  1863. 
Hudson  Jasper,  deserted  at  Vicksburg,  July  31,  1863. 
Hankins,  Gilbert  H.,  Private,  died  at  home,  Dec.  23,2864. 


COMPANY  F. — 59th  REGIMENT. 

Logan,  Joseph,  Recruit,  drafted,  M.  O.  Oct.  16,  1865. 
Handle,  Joseph,  “ 

Thompson,  Calvert,  “ sub.  M.  O.  Oct.  16,  1865. 

Milligan,  Morgan,  “ sub.  M.  O.  Oct.  16,  1865. 

COMPANY  II. 59th  REGIMENT. 

Coffey,  Reuben  G,  sub  M.  O.  Oct.  16,  1865. 

Oram,  Samuel,  M.  O,  July  17,  1865,  drafted. 

COMPANY  K. — 59tII  REGIMENT. 
Stockton,  Robert  M.,  Private,  deserted  Oct.  25,  1862. 

COMPANY  G. — 62d  regiment. 

Beard,  Geo.  W.,  died  at  Camp  Butler,  Feb.  12,  1064. 

COMPANY  H — G2d  regiment. 

Allsman,  Jno.  W.,  Sergt.  M.  O.  May  2,  1865.  as  private. 
Allsman,  Marquis,  Veteran,  M.  O March  6.  1.866. 

Harris.  Thos.  B.,  died  at  Duvall's  Bluff,  Ark.,  Aug.  20,  '64 
Vinmore,  Joseph,  M.  O.  March  6,  1866. 

COMPANY  D. — G3h  regiment. 

Anderson,  Andrew  J.,  Veteran,  M.  O.  July  13,  1865. 
Cherington,  Aden  E.,  Veteran,  M O.  July  J3,  1865,  ist 
Sergt.  ; Com.  ist  Lieut,  but  not  mustered. 

Cherington,  Leroy  H.,  Veteran,  M.O.  July  13,  1865. 


Cherington,  Leon  L.  H.,  Veteran,  M.  O.  July  27,  1863. 

Cherington,  Loraine  C.,  “ “ July  13,  1865. 

Isaminger,  John  A.,  ‘‘  promoted  Sergt.- Major. 

Orr,  VVilliam  D.,  Veteran,  M.  O.  July  13,  1865. 

company  c. — 64tii  regiment. 

Smith,  John,  discharged'  Feb.  8,  1865. 

MLSCELLANEOUS. 

Wm.  M.  Provine,  ist  Lieut.  Company  B.  84th  111.  Regt., 
Vermont.  111.  Prisoner  of  war — taken  at  Atlanta,  Ga., 
and  confined  at  Columbia.  He  was  honorably  dis- 
charged, May  13,  1865.  Now  a resident  of  Taylorville. 

W.  E.  Rosemond  of  ist  Ohio  Cavalry,  Company  B.  for  one 
year  ; then  promoted  to  2d  Lieut,  in  Company  A.  97th 
Ohio  Inf.  Regt.  Now  a resident  of  Taylorville. 

Wm.  H.  Kaup,  private  in  Capt.  A.  Boyd  Hutchinson’s 
Company  C.,  49th  Penn.  Vol.  Entered  Aug.  31,  1861, 
and  honorably  discharged  Oct  23,  1864.  Served  in  the 
.Army  of  the  Potomac,  under  Gen.  Sedgwick.  Saw  his 
Gen  fall. 

James  M.  Taylor,  of  Warren  co  , 111.  Sergt.  in  Company 
C.  96th  111.  Regt.  In  the  service  nearly  three  years. 
Lost  an  arm  in  an  engagement  at  “ Buzzard  Roost  Gap,” 
north  of  Dalton,  Ga.,  in  1864.  Discharged  March  18, 
1865,  as  Sergt.  on  account  of  wounds.  This  Regt.  was 
organized  at  Rockwood,  111.,  Sep.  6,  1862,  by  Col. 
Thos.  E.  Champion.  James  M.  Taylor  is  now  (1880) 
a resident  of  Taylorville,  engaged  in  the  practice  of  the 
law. 

Benj.  Doinblazer.  Adjutant  of  46th  111.  Regt.  Promoted 
Major  and  then  Colonel  of  Regt.,  Brevet  Brig.  Gen. 
Now  a citizen  of  Assumption. 


third  cavalry  regiment. 

The  Colonel  of  this  regiment  was  Engene  Carr  of  the  regular 
army.  Company  M,  from  Chri.stian  county,  composed  a part  ot  it. 
The  regiment  was  organized  at  Camj)  Butler,  in  August,  1861.  Ils 
first  movement  was  to  St.  liouis,  Sejit.  25th,  and  thence  up  the  ]\li.s- 
.souri  river  to  Jefferson  City,  and  thence  to  Warsaw,  in  the  direction 
of  Springfield,  Mo.  Under  Gen.  Hunter,  it  reached  Rolla,  Nov.  W, 
where  it  remained  till  the  29th  of  Dec.  1861,  when  it  moved  in  ad- 


Fel).  1862,  near  Springfield,  the  Third  cavalry  fought  the  first  on-  j 
gagement,  and  won  tlie  first  victory  of  Gen.  Curtis’  campaign. 

On  the  14th  of  February,  1862,  occajiicd  Springfield,  ]NIo.  On 
the  15th  came  up  with  Gen.  Price’s  retreating  army,  and  took  some 
prisoner.s.  On  the  18th,  at  Sugar  creek.  Ark.,  the  Third  battalion  j 

jiarlicipated  in  a cavalry  cliargc,  routing  the  enemy.  Had  various  i 

skirndshes  and  short  marches  during  the  summer  and  fall  in  Arkan-  [ 

.sas  and  west  of  the  Mi.ssis.sippi  river,  ivhen,  on  the  23d  Dec.  1862,  j 

Company  il,  with  other  companies,  rejiorted  to  Brig.  Gen.  Steel,  at 
the  mouth  of  the  Yazoo  river,  formed  jiart  of  the  force,  and  did  j 
good  service  in  the  disastrous  attack  on  \ iekshiirg,  ^li.ss.,  under 
Gen.  Sherman.  Comjiany  .M  was  among  the  last  to  leave  the  field 
and  embark  on  the  boats,  after  the  battle. 

'fhe  Battalion  of  which  Company  I\l,  formed  a jiart,  under  Col. 
ISIeCrillis,  of  S])riiigfield,  Ills.,  took  j>art  in  the  Western  Fouisiana  j 
campaign  under  Gen.  Banks.  In  Dec.  1864,  ^lajor  O’Conner,  of 
Pana,  took  command  of  the  Battalion,  and  it  moved  to  Port  Hud- 
.soii,  and  from  tliencc  to  Memphis,  Tenn.,  rejoining  tlic  regiment, 
which  had  been  .sejiarated  into  three  divisions.  In  the  month  of 
.Inly,  a large  ])ortion  of  the  ri'giment  re-enlisted  as  veterans.  4 he 
non- veterans,  nnder  Major  O’Conner,  were  stationed  as  garrison  at 
Germantown,  Tenn.  On  the  21st  of  August,  the  regiment  jiartici- 
j)ate<l  in  ihe  repnl.->(;  of  Gen.  Forrest,  in  fiis  attack  on  ^lemphis. 

On  the  24th  of  .\ngnst,  1864,  the  non-veterans  having  been  ninstcr- 
c(l  out,  the  veterans  were  c()ns(ilidated  into  a Battalion  of  six  com- 
panies. Part  of  Company  M went  into  the  new  arrangement,  and 
the  remaiinler  were  mnstereil  out,  their  time  having  expired. 

'I'he  Battalion  o])crated  below  and  ai'onnd  Nashville,  and  look 
[tart  in  th--  battles  with  Gen.  Mood’s  army  in  Dec  18(il.  In  May, 
1865,  it  endiarked  for  St.  I.onis,  Mo.,  thenci!  to  St.  I’anI,  Minnesota, 


reporting  to  Major  Gen.  Curtis.  On  the  4th  of  July,  1865,  it  was 
ordered  on  an  Indian  exjtcdition  over  the  plains  of  ISIinnesota  and 
Dakota,  north  to  the  British  lines,  and  then  returned  to  Fort  Snell- 
ing,  Oct.  1st,  arriving  at  Springfield,  Illinois,  Oct.  13th,  1865,  and 
was  mustered  out  of  service.  Such  arc  some  of  the  leading  move- 
ments of  the  Tliird  Cavalry  ivegiment,  in  which  Company  M large- 
ly jiartieijiated. 

MU.STER  ROLL  OF  COJIFANY  M. 

James  H.  O'Conner,  Major,  M.  O.  June  1865,  as  Lieut. 

Geo.  E.  Pease,  Captain,  resigned  Dec  17,  1861. 

Shuler  'Vroonian,  Capt.  in  A'et.  Bat. ; time  exp.  Mar.  9,  ’65. 

Henry  M.  Condee,  ist  Lieut.,  resigned  Nov.  27,  1861. 

Chas.  F.  Russell,  ist  Lieut.,  term  expired  Sept.  5,  1864. 

Joseph  Horseman,  2d  Lieut.,  died,  commission  not  sent. 

FIFTH  CAVALRY  REGIMENT. 

This  regiment  was  organized  at  Camp  Butler,  Nov.  8,  1861,  and 
Hall  Wil.son,  formerly  of  Buckharf,  apjiointcd  its  Colonel.  Com- 
])any  G of  this  regiment  was  recruited  partly  in  Pike  county,  Ills., 
by  Capt.  J.  A.  Harvey,  and  partly  by  First  Lieut.  Wm.  N.  Elliott, 
of  Pana,  Christian  county.  Ills.,  Sept.,  1,  1861.  Left  for  Jeff’erson 
Barrtteks,  Feb.  20,  1862.  On  the  3d  of  Mtircli  reached  Pilot 
Knob.  On  the  27th  marched  to  Doniphan,  ;ind  arriving 
Ajtril  1st,  had  a skirmish  with  the  enemy,  cajitured  their  camj), 
killing  three  and  taking  seven  ju’isoner.^.  April  17th  march- 
ed to  Pocahontas,  and  on  the  27th  of  June  started  on  the  march  for 
the  Mississipjii  river,  reached  Jack'^onport  29th,  and  joined  Gen. 
Curtis’  army,  had  a fight  at  Cotton  Plant,  in  which  the  enemy  lost 
300  killed  and  wounded.  Arrived  at  Helena,  Arkan.-ias,  July 
13th,  1862.  On  the  22d  of  October  1862,  a forage  train 
was  attacked  by  the  enemy,  and  Lieut.  Elliott,  and  78  men  of  the 
cavaliy  (13  of  the.se  were  of  Company  G,)  were  captured,  after 
losing  1 killed  and  6 wounded.  November  27th,  1362,  Company 
G burned  bridge  near  Grenada,  IMiss.  On  January  11th,  1863,  the 
regiment  made  an  ex|)edition  to  Duvall’s  Bluff,  and  in  April  ])ur- 
sued  Marmaduke,  who  was  retreating  from  Mi.ssouri.  I\Iay  29th, 
186.'!,  left  I lelena.  Ark.,  and  embarked  for  Vicksburg,  and  June  1st, 
landed  at  Haines’  Bluff.  June  3d  made  a reconnoisance  to  Me- 
chanicsburg ; drove  Ihe  enemy  ten  miles,  skirmi.shing  heavily,  caj)- 
turing  4.‘I  prisoners,  losing  1 killed  and  7 wounded.  In  July,  was 
with  Gen.  Sherman’s  army  at  Jackson,  Miss.  Was  in  the  expedi- 


HISTORY  OF  CHRISTIAN  COUNTY,  ILLINOIS. 


91 


tions  to  Meridian,  Canton  and  Grenada.  In 
August,  at  the  Yellowbush,  destroyed  40  engines 
and  320  ears  by  burning.  On  the  21st  August 
encountered  Blythe’s  cavalry  at  Coldwater,  and 
defeated  them,  the  regiment  losing  1 killed  and 
5 wounded.  Arrived  at  Memphis  22d  August, 
1863.  On  the  29th  August  endtarked  for  Vicks- 
burg. In  October,  with  Gen.  McPherson’s  17th 
Army  Corps,  at  Jackson,  too^^  part  in  a cavalry 
charge  at  Brownsville,  routing  General  Wirt 
Adams.  In  this  the  regiment  lost  two  wounded 
and  one  prisoner.  January  1st,  1864,  many  of 
the  regiment  *re-eiilisted  as  veterans.  On  17th 
INIarch,  the  veterans  were  furloughed  till  May 
10th,  1864.  On  May  27th,  Col.  John  McCon- 
nell, of  Springfield,  took  command  of  the  regi- 
ment. Eight  companies  dismounted  and  did 
garri.son  duty.  Companies  A,  B,  C,  and  D, 
were  I’ully  mounted  and  equipped.  During  the 
months  of  July  and  September  the  Battalion 
was  at  Jackson  and  Port  Gibson,  skirmishing 
and  fighting  frequently.  From  Natchez,  with 
the  4th  Illinois  cavalry,  and  a battery,  moved 
to  Tonica  Bend.  Landed  and  moved  to  Wood- 
ville ; surprised  and  captured  a camp  of  the  ene- 
my. During  the  night  the  enemy  advanced 
with  three  cannon  and  600  men.  They  were  met 
next  morning  by  Col.  McConnell,  and  driven 
in  confusion,  and  3 cannon  were  captured.  Re- 
tuincd  to  Vicksburg,  Oct.  1 1th,  1864.  In  Janu- 
ary, 1864,  moved  to  Memphis;  was  in  an  ex- 
])edition  to  Southern  Arkansas  and  Northern 
Louisiana.,  returning  February  13th.  July  1st' 
moved  to  Texas,  via  Red  River;  reached 
Hempstead,  Texas,  August  26th.  Remained  at 
this  po.st  till  October  6th,  1865,  when  the  regi- 
ment moved  to  Springfield,  Ills.,  was  mustered 
out,  receiving  final  payment,  October  30,  1865. 
Tlie  following  persons,  in  this  regiment,  were 
from  Christian  county. 

MUSTER  ROLL. 

Hall,  Wilson,  Colonel,  resigned  Jan.  19  1863. 

John  McConnell,  Colonel,  promoted  Brvt.  Brig.  Gen. 
Joshua  Tutliill,  Adjutant,  promoted  Capt.  Co.  A. 

Charles  W.  Sibley,  Commis.  Sergt.,  dis.  Oct.  26,  1862. 

COMPANY  A. 

Joshua  Tuthill,  Captain,  M.  O.  as  Adjutant,  Oct.  27,  1865. 
COMPANY  B. 

Cathrin,  W.  R.,  Veteran,  deserted  Jan.  21,  1865. 

COMPANY  G. 

Wm.  N.  Elliott,  ist  Lieut.,  M.O.  Nov.  8,  1864. 

Sibley,  Charles  W.,  Sergeant.,  promoted  Commis.  Sergt., 
2d  Battalion  M.  O.  Oct.  26.  1865. 

Heath,  John  F.,  died  at  Pocahontas,  Ark.,  June  22d,  1862. 
Slack,  VVm.  P.,  Bugler,  discharged  Aug.  17,  1862. 

Anderson,  Samuel  Y.,  Private,  discharged  ; disability. 
Cooper,  Stephen  D.,  Private,  re-enlisted  as  Veteran. 
Johnson,  Allen,  Private,  ‘‘  “ 

Johnson,  Henry,  '•  " “ 

Lemons,  John  P.,  “ discharged  May  12,  1862. 
LucKinbill,  Henry  J.,  Private,  re  enlisted  ?s  Veteran. 
Skiles,  William  A.,  “ mustered  out  Nov.  8,  1864. 

Slack,  Chas.  K.,  Private,  re-enlisted  as  Vet.  M.  O.  Nov.  '64. 
Cooper,  Stephen  D , Veteran,  mustered  out  Oct.  27.  1865. 
Johnson,  Allen,  Veteran,  mustered  out  Oct.  27,  1865. 
Johnson  Henry,  Veteran,  died  at  Vicksburg,  Nov.  16,  1864. 
Luckindell,  Henry  G.,  died  Sept.  25,  1863. 

Cornbert,  Shelly,  Recruit,  absent,  sick  at  M.  O.  of  Regt. 
Garrison,  Joel  N.,  (Saddler)  Recruit. 

G.trrison,  Jas.  K.  P.,  Recruit,  mustered  out  Oct  27,  1865. 
Walker,  Levi,  Recruit,  regular  discharge. 


COMPANY  M. 

Davis,  Willard  C.,  Recruit,  re-enlisted  as  Veteran. 

Kaddle,  John  J.,  Recruit,  died  at  Helena,  .Ark.,  Oct.  8,  '64. 

SIXTH  CAVALRY'  REGIMENT. 

Among  the  unassigned  recruits  is  noted  one 
from  Cliristian  county,  Wm.  Hobbs,  mustered 
out  May  23d,  1865. 

SEVENTH  CAVALRY'  REGIAIENT. 

This  regiment  was  organized  in  Sejit,  1861, 
with  Wm.  Pitt  Kellogg,  of  Fulton  county,  as  its 
Colonel.  The  names  of  a few  Christian  county 
soldiers  appear  in  it. 

COMPANY  H. 

Patrick,  James  W.,  re-enlisted  as  Veteran. 

Patrick,  Americas,  discharged  Nov.  lo,  1862;  disability. 
Patrick,  John  R.,  discharged  June  2,  1862;  disability 
Tabler,  Wm.  R.,  discharged  Oct.  15,  1862;  disability. 
Patrick,  James  W.,  Veteran,  mustered  out  Nov.  4,  1865. 
Fowks,  Albert,  Recruit,  discharged. 

Tabler.  James  A.,  died  at  Mound  City,  111.  June  i,  1862. 
Hamilton,  Peter,  Unassigned  Recruit,  dis.  May  ii,  1865. 
Murphy,  Daniel. 

Roberts,  Charles  D.,  entered  service  April  15,  1865. 

EIGHTH  CAVALRY'  REGIMENT. 

This  regiment  was  organized  at  St.  Charles, 
111 , in  Sept.,  1861,  with  J.  F.  Faruswortli  as  its 
Colonel.  Its  field  of  operations  was  with  the 
Army  of  tlie  Potomac.  Was  in  the  battle  of 
Antictam.  A few  names  ajipear  in  it. 

COMPANY  M. — UNASSIGNED  RECRUITS, 
.^ennett,  Joseph,  entered  the  service  April  15, 1865. 

Carney  John,  entered  the  service  April  12,  1865. 

Hyzer,  Joseph,  entered  the  service  .April  12,  1865. 

Lee,  David,  entered  the  service  April  12,  1865. 

Murphy,  John,  entered  the  service  April  12,  1865. 
WilliaiiiS,  Clarence,  discharged  Feb.  — , 1864;  disability. 

f TENTH  CAVALRY'  REGIMENT. 

Tins  regiment  was  organized  at  Camp  Butler, 
Illinois,  25th  of  Nov.  1861.  James  A.  Barrett 
was  its  first  Colonel,  who  resigned  May  15, 1862, 
and  was  succeeded  by  Colonel  Dudley  Wicker- 
sham,  of  Springfield,  Illinois.  On  the  20th  of 
Dec.  1861,  it  moved  to  Quiney,  Illinois,  and 
from  thence  to  Jefi’erson  Barracks,  IMo.,  on  the 
1 3th  of  March,  1862.  It  operated  in  south-west 
I\1  issouri,  till  13th  Nov.,  when  it  formed  a part 
of  the  Army  of  the  Frontier,  and  was  in  line  of 
duly  from  Springfield,  IMo.,  to  Cane  Hill,  Ar- 
kansas. It  participated  in  the  battle  of  Prairie 
Grove,  Ark.,  Dec.  7th,  1862.  Was  at  Jackson- 
port.  Ark,  July  4,  1862;  Helena,  July  12,  and 
Aug.  7 moA'ed  to  Old  Town  Laiuiing.  Oct.  6, 
1862,  returned  to  Helena,  and  Nov.  16  marched 
with  the  expedition  to  the  mouth  of  White 
river;  and  on  27th  Nov.  to  Oakland,  Miss. 
Had  a skirmish  with  the  enemy  and  returned 
to  Helena,  Dec.  7th,  1862. 

Tlie  original  service  term  of  the  Tenth  and 
Fifteenth  Regiments  Illinois  Cavalry  Volun- 
teers having  exjiired,  an  order  of  consolidation 
was  Issued  January  26,  1865,  for  the  re-enlisted 
men  and  recruits  of  the  same,  to  be  formed 
into  twelve  companies  and  reorganized  as  the 
Tenth  Regiment,  Illinois  Cavalry. 

The  regiment  was  mustered  out  of  service, 
Nov.  22d,  1865,  at  San  Antonia,  Texas,  and 


ordered  to  Springfield,  111.,  for  final  payment 
and  diseharge.  The  following  soldiers  in  it  are 
from  Christian  county,  in  different  companies: 

MUSTER  ROLL. — COMPANY'  A. 

Thomas  Bradley,  Veteran.  Commis  Sergt.,  in  Co.  A.  of 
Veterans,  as  re-organized.  Absent  on  detached  duty  at 
M.  O.  of  the  Regt. 

Graham,  Henry  N.,  Veteran,  M.  O.  Nov.  22,  1865. 

Holman,  Jesse  W.,  died  at  Baton  Rouge,  Li.,  July  22,  '65. 

COMPANY  B. 

Peters,  John  H.,  Mustered  out  Dec,  30,  1864. 

Romeril,  Fletcher,  re-enlisted  as  Veteran. 

Steel,  George,  Mustered  out  Dec.  30,  1864. 

Steel,  Henry,  Mustered  out  Jan.  6,  1865. 

Warner,  Henry,  Mustered  out  Dec.  30,  1864. 

Watts,  Isaac  N..  re-renlisted  as  Veteran. 

Westbrooks,  Joseph,  re-enlisted  as  Veteran. 

Romeril,  Fletcher,  trans.  lo  Co.  B.  Vet.  M.  O.  Nov.  22, ’63. 
Watts,  Isaac  N..  trans.  to  Co.  B.  Vet.  prom.  2d  Lieut. 
Westbrooks,  Joseph,  trans.  Co.  B.  Vet.  M.  O.  Nov.  22,  '65. 
.Apple,  Andre.v,  B.,  died  Little  Rock,  Ark.,  Nov.  ig,  1863. 
VVestbrook,  Jno.  W , trans.  Co.  B.  Vet.,  M.  O.  Nov.  22,  '65. 

COMPANY  E. 

.Athey,  Owen  T.,  Recruit.  Deserted  .April  30  1863. 
Barnhart,  David  A,,  trans.  to  Co.  E.  Vet.  M.  O.  1865. 
Clements,  Milton  H , trans.  Co.  E.  Vet.  M.O.  Nov.  22, '64. 
Bledsoe,  Chas.  T.  trans.  to  Co.  E.  Vet.  M.  O.  Nov.  22,  ’65. 
Lowery,  Francis  M.,  trans.  to  V.  R.  C.  May  4,  1865. 
Markwell,  Geo.  M.,  trans.  to  Co.  E Vet.  M.  O.  Nov.  22,  "65. 
Toothaker,  Jesse  H.,  trans,  to  Co.  E.  Vet.  M.  O.  June  6,63. 
Terry,  Wm.  J.,  Recruit,  trans.  to  Co.  E.  Vet. 

White,  Wm.,  trans.  to  Co.  E.  Vet.  M.  O.  Nov.  12,  1863. 
White,  John  A.,  trans.  to  Co.  Vet.  M.  O.  Nov.  12,  1863. 

COMPANY  G. 

Elgan,  William,  Recruit,  re-enlisted  as  Veteran. 

Jones,  Alexander,  mustered  out  Dec.  30,  1864,  as  Corpl. 
Judd,  Uz,  re-enlisted  as  Y'eteran. 

Maloney,  John,  re-enlisted  as  Veteran. 

Workman,  Wm.  S.,  M.O.  Dec.  30,  1864,  as  Corpl. 

Elgan,  William,  Vet.,  trans.  Co.  G.,  M.  O.  Nov.  22,  1863. 
Judd,  Uz,  Veteran,  " “ “ “ 

Maloney,  John,  “ “ “ ‘‘  “ 

Shumate,  Wm.,  transf  Co.  G.  Vet. .died  March  3,  1,863 
Workman,  Joseph,  Recruit,  died  at  Rolla,  Mo.,  May  i,  '62. 

COMPANY'  L. 

James  C.  McGinnis,  Sergeant,  re-enlisted  as  Veteran. 
Francis  McGinnis,  Corporal,  re-enlisted  as  Veteran. 

Aaron  B.  Shick,  “ “ “ 

Connor,  George  B.,  Private,  “ “ 

Hill,  William  H„ 

Kelley,  Miller,  " mustered  out  Dec.  30,  1864. 

Matthews,  Aaron  V.,  “ “ 

Peters,  Floyd,  Private,  died  at  Marshfield,  Mo.  Oct.  1862. 
Smith,  Jefferson  S,,  Private,  re-enlisted  as  Veteran. 
Vanwinkle,  Lorenzo  J.  “ “ “ 

Y'ETERANS. 

James  C.  McGinnis,  promoted  2d  Lieut.  Co.  L. 

Francis  M.  McGinnis  transf.  Co.  B.  Vet.,  M.  O.  Nov.  22,  '63. 
Aaron  B.  Shick,  transf.  Co.  1.  Vet.,  M.  O.  Nov.  22,  1863. 
Conner,  Geo.  B.,  Private,  transf.  Co.  F.  Vet. 

Matthews,  William,  Private,  transferred  Co.  H.  Vet. 

Rice,  John,  Private,  transf.  Co.  H.  Vet.  M.  O.  Nov.  22,  '63. 
Smith,  Jefferson  L.,  transf.  Co.  H.  Vet.  M.  O.  Nov.  22,  1863. 
Vanwinkle,  Lorenzo  J .transf.  Co.  H Vet.  M.  O.  Nov.  22,63. 
Bunstein,  Samuel,  transf.  Co.  D Vet.  M.  O.  Nov.  22,  1863. 
Davis,  Horatio  M.,  Recruit,  transferred  Co.  D.  Vet. 

P'eugptt,  Geo.  W.,  Recruit,  re-enlisted  as  Veteran. 

Ford,  Geo.  W.,  transf.  Co.  D.  Vet.  M.  O.  Nov.  22,  1863. 
Ford,  Egbert  A , transf.  Co.  D.  Vet.  M.  O.  Nov.  22,  1863. 
Hinton,  Henry,  Recruit,  deserted  April  7,  1863. 

Hunsley,  Stephen  A.,  Recruit,  transferred  Co.  D.  V'et. 
Langley,  Jesse,  Recruit,  mustered  out  Dec.  30,  1864. 
Matthews,  William,  Recruit,  re  enlisted  as  Veteran. 

Rice,  John,  Recruit,  re-enlisted  as  Veteran. 

Smith,  William,  transf.  Co.  F.  Vet.  M.  O.  Nov.  22,  1863. 
Taylor,  Jas.  M.,  transf.  Co.  F.  Vet.  Dis,  Mar.  29,  ’63  ; d sab. 
White,  J no.  J.,  transf.  Co.  F.  Vet.  M.  O.  Nov.  22,  1863. 

COMPANY'  M. 

McDonald,  Geo.  W..  Private,  died  Ark  ,Sep.  13.  1863. 
McDonald,  William  M.,  Private,  re-enlisted  as  Veteran. 
Pummill,  John,  “ 

Peel,  William  S.,  Private,  discharged  Aug.  18,  1862  ; disab. 
McDonald,  Wm.  II.,  transf  Co.  C.  Vet.  M.  O.  Nov.  22.  ’63. 
Pummill,  John,  died  at  Little  Rock,  Ark.,  .May  26.  1864. 
Richardson,  Geo.  B.,  tntnsf.  Co.  C.  Vet.  Nov.  22,  1863. 
Bingham,  lylward  J.,  transf.  Co.  C.  Vet.  M.  O.  Nov.  22.  ’63. 
Copple,  Matthew  H.,  transf.  Co.  C.  Vet.  M.  O Nov.  22,  63. 
Fleming,  James  M.,  transf.  Co.  C.  Vet.  M.O  Nov.  22,  65. 


92 


HISTORY  OF  CHRISTIAN  COUNTY,  ILLINOIS. 


Godby,  \Vm.  R..  transf.  Co.  C.  Vet.  M.  O.  June  22,  1865. 
Cowan,  James  H.,  Unassigned  Recruit. 

Doroon.  James  H,  ‘‘  “ 

Easley,  John  T.,  “ “ transferred  Co.  E. 

Vet. 

Gregory,  Harrrison,  Unassigned  Recruit. 

Tuthill,  Charles  H.,  '■  *•  see  Co.  E.  Vet. 

11th  cavalry  regiment. 

COMPANY  II. 

Johnson,  Levin,  Recruit,  mustered  out  Sep.  30,  1865. 
COMPANY  M. 

Lenasters,  Columbus,  Unassigned  Recruit,  mustered  out 
May  23,  1865. 

14th  CAVALRY  REGIMENT. 

COMPANY  E. 

Steel,  Isaac,  transferred  Co.  C.,  M.  O.  July  31,  1865. 

16th  cavalry  REGIMENT. 

COMPANY  D. 

Lamont,  Gaines,  Recruit,  deserted  Nov.  21,  1863. 

1st  artillery. 

BATTERY  D. 

Kelley,  jasper  N.,  Recruit,  mustered  out  July  28,  1865. 
Lockwood,  Daniel,  Recruit,  deserted  March  7,  1862. 

2d  artillery. 

BATTERY  B. 

Lovejoy,  Alfred  C..  Recruit,  term  expired  June  20,  1864. 
Promoted  2d  Lieut.  Co.  B.  M.  O.  July  15,  1865. 


BATTERY  C- 

Wm.  A.  Dawson,  Corporal,  deserted  July  12,  1862. 
Behymer,  Henry  H.,  Corporal,  M.  O.  Oct.  22,  1864. 
Behymer,  Enoch  C.,  •'  deserted  July  20,  1862. 

■ Humphreys.  Charles,  “ discharged  for  promot  on  to 

Lieut,  in  8th  U.  S.  Colored  Heavy  .Artillery. 

Humphreys,  Charles  F.,  Corporal,  promoted  ist  Lieut.  Co. 
I C.  M.  O.  Aug.  3,  1865. 

\ Hardtner.  Henry,  Corporal,  M.  O.  Oct.  22,  1864,  as  Sergt. 
Lawton,  Geo.  W.,  Corporal,  re-enlisted  as  Veteran. 

Suttle,  Jno.  A.,  “ " •' 

Lawton,  George  W.,  Veteran,  mustered  out  Aug.  3,  1865 

BATTERY  C. 

Deegan,  Robert,  Recruit,  M.  O.  Aug.  3,  1863. 

Peters,  Wm.  T.,  Recruit,  discharged  May  29,  1863  ; disab. 

BATTERY  F. 

Fleming,  David  J.,died  at  Annapolis,  Md.,  Feb.  14,  1863. 

BATTERY  K. 

Ritzman,  Geo.  W.,  Recruit,  M.  O.  May  26,  1863. 

BATTERY  M. 

Allen,  Alexander,  Unassigned  Recruit. 

Smith,  John,  “ “ 

29tii  u.  s.  colored  inf.vntry. 

COMPANY  I. 

Agee,  Geo.,  M.  O.  Nov.  6,  1863. 

COMPANY  K. 

Pillow,  John,  Unassigned  Recruit. 

Smith,  James,  “ “ 

Van  Pierce,  Henry,  Unassigned  Recruit,  substitute. 

13th  u.  s.  colored  artillery. 

Chandler,  William,  enlisted  April  ii,  1865. 
j Long,  Charles,  “ “ “ 


MISCELLANEOUS  ORGANIZ.ATIONS. 
Anderson,  Jas.  W.,  Cavalry,  9th  Kansas  Cavalry. 

FIRST  ARMY  CORPS. 

ROSTER  OF  ENLISTED  MEN  OF  COMPANY  NO.  10. 

Assigned  to  Company  K.  8th  Regiment,  U.  S. 
Veteran  Volunteers. 

1 Hoffman,  Joseph,  M.  O.  April  ii,  1863,  as  Corporal. 
Ballus,  Andrew  J.,  Private,  mustered  out  .April  ii,  1866. 
Cochoran,  .Aimers,  “ “ " 

Byrne,  Patrick  “ “ “ 

Knapp,  Henry,  “ “ “ 

Kervin,  James,  “ “ " 

Paulus,  John,  “ “ “ 

Burnett,  Wm.  R.,  “ “ ■' 

i Singsfield,  William,  Private,  mustered  out  .-April  12,  1866. 
Quielesh,  William,  Private,  mustered  out  .April  13.  1866. 
Guenther,  Joseph,  Private,  mustered  out  April  13,  1866. 
Miller,  Leonard,  Private,  mustered  out  April  13,  1866. 
Engle,  Martin,  Private,  mustered  out  April  13,  1866. 
Trogdon,  Howell  G.,  Private,  mustered  out  April  13,  1866, 
Graves,  John,  Private,  mustered  out  April  13,  1866. 
Hellwig,  Jacob,  Private,  mustered  out  April  13,  1866. 
Gunion,  James,  Private. 

Jennings,  William,  Private,  mustered  out  April  13,  1866. 
Spangler,  Walter,  Private,  mustered  out  April  12,  1866. 

ENLISTED  MEN  OF  CO.  NO.  12. 

Bammel,  Christopher  enlisted  April  14.  1863. 

Burgen,  .Abraham,  enlisted  April  14,  1865. 

Becker,  John,  enlisted  April  14,  1863. 

Crawford,  Joseph  A.,  enlisted  April  12.  1863. 

Douglas.  James  O.,  enlisted  April  14,  1865. 

Dabozyinsky,  Simeon,  enlisted  April  14.  1863. 

Goedert,  Michael,  enlisted  April  14.  1863. 

Heist,  Keller,  enlisted  .April  13,  1865. 

Halshizer,  John,  enlisted  .April  12,  1863. 

Peppercorn,  John,  enlisted  .April  14,  1863. 


CHAPTER  XIV. 

ECCLESIASTICAL  HISTORY  OF  CHRISTIAN  COUNTY. 


RRKSBYTERIAX  CHURCH  AT  PANA. 

COMPILED  BY  PROF.  J.  R.  EDMONDS. 

M.  PATTON  and  ^lilan  S.  Beckwith,  prompted  to 
do  .something  in  tlie  line  of  benevolence,  went  forth  to 
collect  some  money  for  the  benefit  of  an  itinerant  M.  E. 
Minister,  when  perchance  they  called  on  Franklin  L. 
(‘launders,  and  during  the  conversation  learned  that  he  was  a mem- 
hcT  of  the  Presbyterian  church.  Mr.  Patton  goes  home  and  informs 
his  mother  that  he  had  found  a Presbyterian  ! With  this  informa- 
tion, that  good  Christian  woman,  herself  a member  of  the  same 
church,  was  much  pleased,  and  expressed  a desire  to  hoar  some 
Presbyterian  preaching.  These  men,  acting  on  this  suggestion, 
arranged  that  Mr.  Saunders  should  go  to  Vandalia,  by  the  next 
train,  the  residence  of  the  liev.  Joseph  Gordon,  a Presbyterian 
minister,  and  invite  him  to  visit  and  preach  in  Pana.  The  invita- 
tion was  accepted,  and  the  Rev.  Gordon  came  the  .same  week  and 
jircached  for  that  people,  on  the  evening  of  the  2'ld  of  April,  1856. 
He  says  : “ My  first  sermon  and  several  that  succeeded  it  were  de- 
livered in  a little  house  about  16x16  feet,  owned  and  used  by  M.  S. 
Beckwith  as  a ware-room  for  stowing  away  goods,  and  boxes, 
which  tlien  stood,  and  is  still  standing  on  the  alley  west  of  the  old 
mceting-hou.se.”  Some  of  the.se  boxes  were  put  out  to  make  room, 
others  arranged  for  seats,  and  one  used  as  a puljiit.  Tiie  ladies  sat 
on  the  boxes  and  sacks,  in  tlie  hou.se,  and  the  men  on  the  boxes  and 
lnu'<tily  improvised  seats  on  the  outside.  At  times  tlie  little  church 
house  jirovcd  too  small  for  the  congregation.  The  floor  was  very 
open,  and  the  cracks  revealed  a number  of  pigs  rubbing  around, 
whieh  can.sed  the  ladies  not  a little  uneasiness. 

It  truly  may  lie  reckoned  a day  of  small  things,  both  as  to  the 
church  and  village,  when  Rev.  G >?don  came  to  this  fichl  ; and 


though  the  preaching  and  place  of  worship  may  have  been  wanting 
in  some  of  the  adornments  and  taste  of  modern  times,  the  common 
people,  (all  w'ere  common  then,)  heard  the  message  gladly.  This 
house  was  built  originally  for  a school-hou.se.  It  then  fronted  on 
the  open  prairie,  standing  on  the  rear  of  the  Beckwith — Walsh  lot, 
with  no  fences,  streets,  or  buildings  near.  Arrangements  were 
made,  by  which  the  Rev.  Gordon  preached  every  two  weeks. 
This  was  the  origin  and  beginning  of  Presbyterianism  in  Pana. 

The  first  sermon  ever  preached  in  Pana  was  by  the  Rev.  E.  B. 
Olmstead,  a Presbyterian  minister,  in  a freight  car  standing  on  the 
I.  C.  R.  R.,  on  a bright  autumnal  Sabbath,  in  October,  1855. 

Rev.  Gordon  states  that  after  preaching  his  first  sermon,  a sub- 
scription paper  was  circulated  the  next  morning,  and  over  $300  sub- 
scribed towards  erecting  a house  of  worship.  Nearly  every  family 
in  the  community,  and  men  having  110  families,  interested  them- 
selves in  this  work.  Nor  was  it  a mere  negative  interest;  it  was 
manifested  by  raising  the  subscription  to  $1,200.  This  w'as  noble 
for  the  small  population,  but  they  were  all  anxious  to  see  a “ meet- 
ing-house” in  the  midst  of  their  town,  thus  “ growing  up  as  by 
magic.” 

On  the  21st  of  IMay,  1856,  a religious  society  was  formed  by  the 
Rev.  Jos.  Gordon,  to  be  known  hereafter  as  the  “First  Presbyterian 
church  of  Pana.”  At  the  same  time,  five  trustees — John  M.  Pat- 
ton, Samuel  V.  B.  Snider,  C.  11.  Harrison,  Mason  French  and 
Franklin  L.  Saunders — were  elected  for  a term  of  five  years.  Cer- 
tificate of  organization,  to  that  effect,  was  made  by  John  M.  Patton, 
before  Wm.  Pryce,  J.  P , June  !),  1856.  They  energetically  set 
about  making  prejiaratious  for  the  erection  of  a house  of  worship, 
and  selected  a lot  on  Locust  street,  which  the  proprietor  of  the 
town,  David  A.  Neal,  generously  donated  and  conveyed  to  the 
Trustees  of  the  church,  on  the  8th  of  October,  1856. 

In  addition  to  these  officers,  there  was  a “ building  committee” 
appointed,  consisting  of  M.  S.  Beckwith,  Jno.  ]M.  Patton  and 
Franklin  L.  Saunders,  who  had  the  more  immediate  control  of  the 


HISTORY  OF  CHRISTIAN  COUNTY,  ILLINOIS. 


03 


work  and  the  raising  and  collecting  of  funds  for  its  prosecution. 
A contract  was  then  made  with  Thos.  B.  Hickman,  of  Vandalia,  to 
build  a frame  house,  34x50  feet  in  size,  of  good  material,  finished 
in  a workmanlike  manner,  with  belfry,  and  to  be  completed  by  the 
1st  of  January,  1857,  at  a cost  of  $2,100,  In  aid  of  the  enterprise 
a donation  of  $500  was  secured  from  the  board  of  church  erection. 
The  house  was  not  completed  as  soon  as  at  first  contemplated,  but  it 
is  noted,  under  that  date,  that  “ the  first  church  editice  of  Pana  is 
enclosed,  and  the  floor  laid.”  But,  in  time,  the  church  was 
tinished,  and  before  it  was  dedicated  a terrible  tornado  passed  over 
Pana,  on  the  13th  of  June,  1857,  wrecking  badly  twenty-five  or 
thirty  houses,  carrying  with  it  a portion  of  the  roof  of  the  church, 
thus  giving  free  access  to  the  torrents  of  rain  which  fell  and  seri- 
ously damaged  the  plastering,  rendering  it  unfit  for  occupation. 
This  was  a serious  loss,  but  the  members  of  the  congregation  and 
citizens  generally  brought  in  their  offerings  ; the  house  was  speedi- 
ly repaired,  so  that  on  the  19th  of  September,  1857,  some  tw’o 
months  after  the  disaster,  the  llev.  Joseph  Gordon  preached  the 
first  sermon  in  the  church,  and  “ dedicated  the  house  to  the  Triune 
God  in  jirayer.  ” 

The  organization  of  the  “First  Presbyterian  Church”  of  Pana 
was  completed  by  the  Rev.  Joseph  Gordon,  on  the  21st  of  Septem- 
ber, 1856.  The  following  are  the  names  of  the  original  members  : 
— Franklin  L.  Saunders,  Mrs.  Mary  Jane  Saunders,  Caroline  Tun- 
ison,  Mary  Alexander,  Martha  Patton,  Robert  B.  Alexander,  and 
]\[rs.  Mary  Jane  Pryce.  Franklin  L.  Saunders  was  elected  and 
ordained  to  the  office  of  Ruling  Eldei’.  The  original  members  of 
the  church  are  .still  living,  and  all  but  two  residing  around  Pana. 
The  church  was  organized  at  the  residence  of  Mrs.  Patton.  It 
seemed  proper  it  should  be  so.  This  house  probably  was  one  of  the 
most  fitting  emblems  of  the  Presbyterian  church  to  be  found  in 
Pana  at  that  time;  for  when  “the  winds  blew  and  the  floods  came 
it  fell  not.”  The  first  meeting  of  the  session  w'as  on  the  16th  of 
October,  1857.  Present — Rev.  Joseph  Gordon  and  Franklin  L 
Saunders,  (clerk  of  the  session.)  The  following  members  were  re- 
ceived by  letter:  S.  A.  Call  and  Maria  Call ; on  examination.  Miss 
INIartha  Patton,  George  Patton  and  E B.  Hartshorn.  On  the  9th 
of  May,  1858,  two  additional  elders,  S.  A Call  and  E.  B.  Harts- 
horn, were  elected  and  ordained  by  Rev.  Gordon,  assisted  by 
Rev.  Thos.  Lippincott.  Additions  have  been  made  at  every  com- 
munion since  its  organization. 

The  following  persons  have  served  or  are  now  serving  the  church 
as  Ruling  Elders:  Franklin  L.  Saunders,  S.  A.  Call,  E.  B.  Harts- 
horn, Charles  W.  Sibley,  Eli  F.  Chittenden,  Alfred  McClure,  A. 
AV.  Gailey,  T.  AV.  Lippincott,  S.  P.  Johns,  R.  C.  C)yner,  D.  A. 
Gilbert,  S.  H.  Bird,  J.  S.  Veeder,  Thos.  Smith  and  J.  AI.  Ross. 

The  ministers  that  have  officiated  since  the  organization  of  the 
church  are — first,  the  Rev.  Joseph  Gordon,  who  was  the  stated 
supply  from  its  formation  till  the  16th  of  June,  1858;  then  followed 
Rev.  Jas.  S.  AA^alton,  till  the  1st  of  June,  1859 ; Rev.  Joseph  Gor- 
don again  officiated  until  the  1st  of  Alay,  1863;  he  was  followed 
by  Rev.  E.  AV.  Taylor,  as  supply,  to  September  19th,  1884,  when 
Rev.  Gordon  again  returned  for  the  third  time,  and  served  until 
Alarch  18th,  1866.  Rev.  AV.  P.  Gibson  next  received  a call,  and 
commenced  his  labors  July  1,  1866.  He  was  imstalled  as  its  first 
pastor  on  the  14th  of  October  following,  and  continued  in  the  work 
of  the  pastorate  till  Dec.  4th,  1870.  Rev.  John  Kidd  followed  as 
supply  from  Jan.  1st,  1871,  till  Oct.  14th,  1873.  On  the  1st  of 
January,  1874,  Rev.  R.  AI.  Roberts  was  called  to  preach,  and  oc- 
cupied the  pulpit  till  Jan.  1st,  1880. 

It  is  noted  as  early  as  the  24th  of  April,  1858,  that  the  church 
had  a good  choir,  a large,  well  regulated  Sabbath-school  and  an 


efficient  Bible-class.  The  names  of  the  several  Sabbath-school 
superintendents  since  its  organization  are — A.  Keeler,  AV.  H. 
Bradley,  II.  I).  Brigham,  AV.  C.  Sumner,  J.  H.  Baldwin,  S.  P. 
Johns,  O.  II.  Paddock,  T.  AV.  Lippincott,  R.  C.  Coyner  and  R.  AI. 
Henderson.  Some  of  these  have  served  twice  and  three  times. 
The  first  four  were  superintendents  when  it  was  a Union  school. 

The  first  Sabbath  after  the  church  was  dedicated,  the  Presbytery 
of  Alton  held  its  fall  meeting,  in  1857,  in  Pana.  The  Rtporter 
thus  speaks  of  it : “Notwithstanding  the  newness  of  the  place,  abun- 
dant accommodations  were  provided  for  all  the  members  of  the 
Presbytery.  Nor  were  these  the  only  guests.  Gov.  Slade,  of  Ver- 
mont, with  thirteen  female  teachers,  were  there,  just  arrived  from 
the  East.  And  still  there  was  room,  for  largeness  of  heart  has  a 
wonderful  influence  to  make  narrow  accommodations  wide  and 
ample.” 

The  selfsacrificing  labors  of  Rev.  Gordon  for  this  church  from 
first  to  last  were  great.  Amidst  its  many  trials,  thrice  did  he  come 
to  its  relief  with  a heart  full  of  Christian  love.  He  was  possessed 
of  energy  and  executive  ability,  as  well  as  the  bold  herald  of  the 
Gospel.  In  the  presentation  cf  truth,  he  was  at  all  times  earnest 
and  instructive;  and  his  aged  Christian  life  ever  shed  a halo  of 
fragrant  perfume  all  around.  For  many  years  his  genial  face  has 
been  familiar  on  the  streets;  and  “Father  Gordon”  a household 
word  with  the  good  citizens  of  Pana.  Nor  were  his  labors  unap- 
preciated. In  recognition  of  his  services,  in  one,  of  many  instances, 
a large  and  handsomely  bound  Bible  was  j:)ublicly  presented,  with 
this  inscription  : “ To  Rev.  Joseph  Gordon,  from  the  Alton  and 
Terre  Haute  railroad  boys.” 

Two  gentlemen  received  permission  to  re-model  the  pulpit  at 
their  own  expense.  Other  acts  of  kindness  were  exhibited.  Indeed 
the  evidence  was  apparent  on  every  hand,  that  the  people  of  Pana 
had  some  proper  appreciation  of  the  value  and  importance  of  reli- 
gious privileges. 

Like  most  churches,  when  completed,  there  was  a small  debt 
hanging  over  it.  Soon  the  ladies  of  the  congregation  were  found 
at  the  front  and  “did  what  they  could”  to  help  meet  it.  A festival 
was  held  in  the  new  church,  on  the  31st  day  of  December,  1857. 
The  committee  of  arrangements  in  this  movement  were  Airs.  O. 
Alonroe,  Airs.  AA^.  II.  Kneeland,  Airs.  S.  H.  Rice,  Airs.  AV.  B.  Little, 
Aliss  Ann  Baltzley,  Aliss  Ophelia  AI.  Putnam,  Airs.  AI.  S.  Beckwith 
and  Airs.  A.  Keeler.  Tickets,  50  cents;  amount  realized,  $140. 

Aliss  Paine,  of  Du  Quoin,  111.,  presented  the  society  with  a set  of 
handsome  curtains  for  the  church-windows.  The  whole  cost  of  the 
church,  when  completed,  was  $2,300.  Pana  at  this  time  had  no 
town-hall  or  other  place  of  meeting.  The  church  being  the  only 
commodious  house  in  the  winter  of  1857-8,  was  used  by  everybody 
— Presbyterians,  Lutherans,  Alethodists,  and  during  the  long  win- 
ter-evenings, the  Lyceum  prospered  by  being  able  to  find  within 
its  walls  room  for  the  large  audiences  which  were  accustomed  to 
assemble  at  its  discussions.  It  was  used  by  singing  schools,  tem- 
perance-lectures, agricultural  addresses  and  occasionally  by  concert- 
troupes.  In  course  of  time,  this  indiscriminate  use  of  the  church 
was  forbidden  by  the  Session.  The  question  arose  between  the 
Trustees  and  Session,  as  to  which  had  the  right  to  control  the  house. 
The  Elders  said  : “ This  is  our  business,  and  not  that  of  the  Trus- 
tees;” and  the  local  pastor,  Rev.  J.  S.  Walton,  said:  “This  pulpit 
is  mine,  and  no  one  has  a right  to  occupy  it  without  my  consent.” 
The  result  was  the  Session  controlled  the  church,  and  for  a time 
the  interdiction  caused  some  unpleasant  feeling  in  the  community. 
The  pastor’s  salary  was  $500  per  annum. 

In  February,  1875,  Air.  Roberts  called  the  officers  of  the  church 
together,  and  urged  upon  them  the  absolute  necessity  of  erecting  a 


94 


HISTORY  OF  CHRISTIAN  COUNTY,  ILLINOIS. 


new  house  of  worship.  A resolution  was  passed  at  that  meeting- 
setting  forth,  that  if  the  members  of  the  church  would  clothe  the 
session  and  trustees  with  power  to  sell  the  old  church  and  lot,  and 
buy  another  site,  leaving  them  unhampered  as  to  location,  plan  or 
cost  of  the  new  building,  they  would  undertake  the  enterprise.  At 
a meeting  of  the  members  of  the  church,  held  Feb.  17th,  1875,  the 
authority  was  given  as  requested,  excepting  that  the  site  was  to  be 
approved  of  by  the  majority  of  the  members.  The  officers  went  to 
work  at  once.  After  much  negotiation,  a site  was  selected  seventy 
by  one  hundred  feet,  corner  of  North  Third  and  Maple  streets. 
The  members  of  the  church  confirmed  the  selection  by  almost  a 
unanimous  vote.  After  many  plans  had  been  suggested,  the  com- 
mittee decided  on  a plan,  submitted  by  Elder  T.  W.  Lippincott, 
for  a building  forty  by  eighty  feet,  with  side-entrances  and  a sliding 
partition  cutting  off  thirty  two  feet  for  Sunday-school  purposes, 
with  room  above  for  sociables.  A sub-committee  on  finance,  con- 
sisting of  R.  C.  Coyner,  J.  S.  Veeder  and  S.  W.  Bird,  were  ap- 
])ointed,  and  also  a committee  of  construction,  composed  of  T.  W. 
Lippincott,  S.  P.  Johns  and  D.  C.  McLeod. 

The  financial  labor  was  divided,  giving  the  ladies  the  responsi- 
bility of  raising  money  to  purchase  furniture  for  the  interior,  and 
to  the  Sabbath-school  was  given  the  duty  of  raising  funds  sufficient 
to  buy  a five  hundred  pound  belt.  All  went  to  work  with  a will, 
and  though  the  financial  condition  of  the  country  was  depressed  on 
account  of  poor  crops  and  bad  weather,  the  church  was  built  and 
furnished  by  the  third  of  September,  1876;  at  which  time  it  was 
dedicated  practically  free  from  debt.  The  church  cost  twelve  thou- 
sand dollars,  including  price  of  site.  The  bell  which  hung  in  the 
old  church  is  now  in  the  Lutheran  church  in  Pana,  and  may  still 
be  heard  each  Sabbath  calling  the  worshiper  to  come. 

I’RESJiYTEniAN  CHURCH  AT  TAYLORVILLE. 

This  church  was  organized  by  the  Rev.  J.  G.  Bergen,  D.D.,  of 
S[)ringfield,  Illinois,  July  2Gch,  1857.  The  following  list  comprises 
the  original  members: — Nathaniel  Harris,  IMrs.  Sophronia  Harris, 
Calvin  Goufiy,  1\I.I).,  Mrs.  IMarthy  Goudy,  II.  D.  Brigham,  Mrs. 
!Mary  L.  Brigham,  A.  B.  Harris,  IMrs.  Sarah  Han-is,  Noyes  Ladd, 
IMrs.  Phoebe  Ladd,  Jacob  Ovcrholt,  Mrs.  Abigail  Torrey,  Geo.  W. 
Lasli,  IMrs.  Susan  C.  Sattley,  Mrs.  Jane  E.  Chapman,  Mrs.  Mary 
Ryan,  Mrs.  Harriet  Ladd,  I\lrs.  Jane  IMiller,  IMiss  Sophronia 
Harris.  Of  these  nineteen  memhers,  only  five  are  now  on  the 
ground,  the  rest  having  died  or  moved  to  other  churches.  At  first 
they  had  no  hou.se  of  worship,  but  u.sed  that  of  the  Cumberland 
I’resbytcrian  church  for  several  years;  then,  for  a time,  they  wor- 
.shi[)cd  in  the  north-west  school-house.  Luring  these  years  the 
jiiend)er.'hij)  had  increased  to  over  fifty.  In  the  summer  of  186  • 
tliey  began  to  build  a hoil.se  of  worshii)  for  themselves,  and  dedi- 
cated it  complete  Fel)ruary  6th,  1870.  The  cost,  inclmling  lots, 
wa.s  86,000.  It  is  noted  for  its  neat  and  tasteful  arrangement,  and 
ha.s  a seating  capacity  of  nearly  400. 

In  1875  tlie  memliersliip  had  reached  the  number  of  175 — but 
has  declined  since  then  by  death  and  removal.-^,  until  now  it 
is  little  more  than  100;  the.se  arc  hopeful,  and  have  before  them, 
as  a eliureh,  good  prospects  of  increase  and  great  usefulness. 

Since  this  chureli  h:id  a hon.sc  of  worship  it  has  maintained  an 
active,  earne.-*t  and  efficient  Sabbath-school,  whose  mcmbcr.shij)  has 
ranged  from  100  to  nearly  000,  the  hist  annual  report  giving  the 
membership  enrolh-d  its  288.  'I'hc  Superintendents  of  this  school 
liave  I»ecn  Dr.  Calvin  (loudy,  \\’m.  M.  Provinc,  IIsq.,and  Hon.  11. 
I’.  Shumway,  the  la.-it  the  present  incumljent  in  office. 

'I'lie  following  comprises  the  list  of  the  elders,  in  their  order: 
Calvin  Goudy,  M I).,  Harvey  D.  Brigham,  Nathaniel  Harris, 


I Joseph  C.  Smith,  Samuel  W.  IMorrison,  John  E.  Montgomery, 
Emanuel  Johns,  and  A.  B.  Harris,  Wm.  W.  Hall,  Andrew  J. 
Willey,  Wm.  T.  Evans.  The  four  last  mentioned  constituting  the 
present  board.  Of  all  these.  Dr.  C.  Goudy,  until  his  decease  in 
j 1877,  led  in  activity,  planning,  praying,  and  working  almost  in- 
cessantly for  the  church’s  advancement.  Perhaps  to  him,  more 
j than  to  any  one  individual,  the  church  owes  its  prosperity  and  suc- 
I cessful  history. 

Among  others  who  have  been  more  or  less  helpful  as  officers  for 
the  church,  may  be  mentioned  John  W.  Price,  A.  G.  Barnes,  E.  A. 
Miller,  P.  G.  Barton,  Jos.  M.  Crabb,  and  G.  Crooker. 

This  church  has  had  the  following  pastors,  in  their  order:  Revs. 
H.  R.  Lewis,  J.  H.  Harris,  Robt.  Rudd,  L.  Faye  Walker,  J.  C. 
Hill,  L.  C.  Littell,  and  the  present  incumbent,  H.  P.  Carson.  It 
has  enrolled  as  members,  in  all,  278,  making  an  average  of  about 
12  additions  annually,  and  an  annual  average  membership  since 
1875  of  about  125. 

Besides  the  $6,000  for  building  their  house  of  worship,  this 
church  has  contributed  fur  the  carrying  on  of  church  work  at  home 
and  elsewhere  over  $16,000. 

rRESRYTERIAN  CHURCH  OF  ASSUMFTrOX. 

As  the  village  of  Assumption  was  first  called  Tacusa,  so  was  the 
church  called  Tacusa  Church  until  the  towns  of  Assumption  and 
Tacusa  were  united  under  one  name.  Since  that  time  it  has  been 
known  as  the  Assumption  Presbyterian  Church. 

IMarcus  L.  Barrett  was  the  first  Presbyterian  who  became  a resi- 
dent of  Assumption  ; and  as  he  was  fondly  devoted  to  the  church  of 
his  choice,  and  was  able  by  his  keen  foresight  to  see  the  advantages 
of  the  church  to  this  new  town,  he  soon  had  a meeting  arranged  and 
a minister  invited  to  come  and  preach  to  the  few  scattered  inhabit- 
ants. 

At  that  time  only  a few  houses  could  be  seen  on  the  wide  expanse 
of  prairie  as  viewed  from  the  depot  of  the  Illinois  Central  Railroad, 
which  was  then  in  its  infancy.  The  Presbyterian  Church  was  the 
first  Protestant ' Church  in  the  town.  It  was  organized  in  the 
dwelling  of  M.  L.  Barrett,  on  the  27th  day  of  May,  1857,  by 
i Mr.  II.  R.  Lewis,  a minister  invited  from  a distance,  to  attend  to 
; this  special  work.  The  congregation  was  gathered  from  the  country 
for  miles  around,  and  the  orgiuization  was  made  with  a membership 
of  forty. 

The  first  Elders  chosen  were  S.  C.  Sheller  and  Wm.  G Cal- 
houn. Elders  since  chosen  D.iniel  G.ihagan,  /.idok  Linham, 
j George  White,  S.  M.  Moore,  William  Ray,  John  Moore  and  Dr.  J. 
j Bennett.  The  following  are  the  ministers  who  have  been  engaged 
I in  the  labors  connected  with  the  church  ; II.  R Lewis,  preached 
j from  185!)  to  1860,  one  year;  Clark  Louden,  from  1861  to  1866; 
B.  E.  IMayo,  1866  to  1868,  the  last  year  as  installed  jiastor.  Wash- 
ington IMaynard  took  charge  of  the  church  as  a supply  in  1868,  and 
I was  installed  ])astor,  September  24,  1873  ; which  pastorate  ended  in 
September,  1875.  R.  IM.  Neill  was  employed  on  January  1,  1876, 
as  a su])ply  for  the  pulpit  for  one  year,  but  owing  to  adverse  circum- 
stances he  gave  up  the  charge  in  August,  1876,  and  AVashington 
Maynard  again  occupied  the  pulpit,  beginning  October  1, 1876,  and 
continues  in  the  services  of  the  church  to  the  present  time.  ■ The 
- church  edilicc  was  erected  in  1861,  and  was  dedicated  June  23d  of 
that  year.  The  building  cost  one  thousand  dollars  ; the  ground 
upon  which  it  stands  having  been  donated  by  E.  E.  IMalhoit.  In 
18()7,  a par.sonage  was  built  on  a part  of  the  .same  lot  on  which  the 
church  stands.  The  parsonage  is  a two  story  frame  building,  built 
at  a ost  of  seven  hundred  and  fifty  dollars.  The  membership  of 
this  church  is  about  two  hundred. 


HISTORY  OF  HIIRISTIAN  COUNTY,  ILLINOIS. 


95 


MORRrSONVILI.E  RRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH. 

Rev.  Washington  Maynard,  of  Assumption,  Illinois,  and  Dr. 
Calvin  Goudy,  of  Taylorville,  by  appointment  of  the  Presbytery, 
organized  the  Presbyterian  Church  at  Morrisonville,  on  the  second 
Sabbath  in  January,  in  the  year  1871.  The  membership  at  that 
early  date  in  the  history  of  the  town  was  only  fifteen  persons,  but 
they  were  endowed  with  genuine  Christian  zeal,  and  became  the 
foundation  of  a church  organization  that  soon  grew  to  greater  pro- 
jiortions  and  extensive  influence.  That  small  number  formed  a 
nucleus  around  which  have  gathered  one  hundred  and  eighty  more, 
making  a good  and  influential  band  of  Christian  workers.  In  the 
month  of  May,  1872,  E.  P.  Rankin,  a young  man,  at  the  time  a 
student  of  Princeton  College,  New  Jersey,  was  engaged  to  preach 
for  four  months.  At  the  end  of  the  engagement,  he,  ( having  ac- 
ceptably performed  the  duties  of  his  office),  was  called  to  be  pastor 
of  the  church,  and  was  installed  and  ordained  in  due  form.  The 
congregation  felt  the  need  of  a suitable  hou.se  of  w orship,  and  in  the 
winter  of  1871  and  1872,  they  proceeded  to  erect  one,  at  a cost  of 
about  five  thousand  one  hundred  dollars. 

The  church  was  dedicated  in  due  form  in  the  month  of  Jul}',  1872. 
The  amount  of  indebtedness  at  the  time  of  the  dedication  w’as  about 
one  half  of  the  original  cost  of  the  building. 

The  debt  was  bravely  assumed  and  carried  by  the  membership, 
and  soon  began  to  diminish  under  careful  financial  management. 
During  the  winter  of  1879-80,  the  debt  was  entirely  paid  off, 
amid  much  rejoicing  by  the  faithful  members  of  the  organization. 

The  church  is  a handsome  building  on  one  of  the  best  lots  in 
town,  and  has  an  active  membership  at  the  present  time,  though 
somewhat  reduced  by  removals  and  other  common  causes.  The 
future  of  this  church  seems  bright,  and  a prospect  of  great  usefulness 
is  opening  up  before  it,  and  with  the  usual  activity  of  its  members 
it  will  soon  rank  high  as  a church,  and  many  will  be  glad  to  say 
“ this  or  that  man  was  born  there.” 

THE  CUMBERLAND  PRESBYTERIAN^CIIURCH. 

BY  REV.  C.  G.  KEOW’N. 

In  attempting  to  give  a brief  sketch  of  the  history  of  the  Cum- 
berland Presbyterian  Church  in  Christian  county,  I regret  that 
my  means  of  information  are  so  meagre  and  incomplete,  that  it 
will  be  out  of  my  power  to  give  the  patrons  of  this  work  as  full 
asketch  of  that  branch  of  the  great  Christian  church,  of  which  I write, 
and  have  the  honor  to  be  an  humble  member,  as  it  deserves,  and 
as  the  future  reader  may  expect  Nor  am  I insensible  to  the  im- 
portance, as  W'ell  as  the  delicacy  of  the  task  I undertake.  It  is  one, 
however,  which  I have  considered  due  to  the  cause  of  Christ,  and 
especially,  to  the  Cumberland  Presbyterian  Church. 

The  first  introduction  of  Cumberland  Presbyterianism  in  the 
county,  so  far  as  the  writer  has  any  means  of  information,  was  as 
early  as  1837,  Avhen  Rev.  J.  M.  Bone,  fas  we  learn  from  his  own 
statement,)  by  order  of  Vandalia  Presbytery,  as  a circuit  rider, 
preached  some  in  the  north-eastern  part  of  the  county.  lie  doubt- 
less preached  there  the  first  sermon  by  a Cumberland  Presbyterian 
minister  in  the  county. 

We  find  also  by  reference  to  the  minutes  of  Vandalia  Presbytery, 
that  there  was  a congregation  in  the  north-eastern  part  of  the 
county,  known  as  “ North  Mt.  Carmel  congregation,”  as  early  as 
1844.  But  we  have  no  record  of  the  date  of  its  organization,  and 
it  seems  to  have  been  lost  sight  of. 

In  the  spring  of  1841,  James  H.  Boyd  and  Alfred  Boyd,  moved 
with  their  families  from  Christian  county,  Kentucky,  and  located 
on  Bear  creek,  in  what  was  then  a ]>art  of  Montgomery  county,  but 
afterward,  iu  the  formation  of  Christian,  this  part  of  the  old  was 


embraced  in  the  new  county.  Having  been  accustomed  to  enjoying 
the  means  of  grace  from  the  hands  of  Cumberland  Presbyterian 
ministers,  in  their  former  home,  it  was  not  strange  that  they,  soon 
after  locating  in  this  then  new  and  sparsely  settled  section  of  coun- 
try, began  to  long  for  the  means  of  grace  to  which  they  had  been 
accustomed. 

Consequently  they  with  a few  other  Christian  men  and  women 
banded  themselves  together  in  a Cumberland  Presbyterian  society 
some  time  in  1841,  with  a view  of  setting  up  the  standard  of  the 
gospel  as  Cumberland  Presbyterians. 

In  the  summer  of  1842,  Jas.  H.  Boyd  started  out  in  search 
of  a Cumberland  Presbyterian  minister.  After  traveling  some 
distance  he  was  informed  that  there  was  a meeting  then  in  pro- 
gress, being  conducted  by  ministers  of  that  order.  He  made  his 
way  thither  and  found  Revs.  Joel  Knight  and  Joseph  Barlow,  and 
in  response  to  his  earnest  solicitations.  Rev.  Barlow  came  and 
preached  for  them  occasionally.  December  8th,  1844,  Revs.  Knight 
and  Barlow,  by  order  of  Vandalia  Presbytery,  organized  them  into 
a congregation,  kno\vn  as  the  Antioch  congregation.  Jas.  H.  Boyd 
and  Alfred  Curry  were  elected  and  ordained  ruling  elders. 

In  the  fall  of  184.5,  Rev.  J.  M.  Bone  took  pastoral  charge  of  this 
newly  organized  congregation,  preaching  alternately  to  them,  and 
at  Taylorville,  the  county-seat.  He  states  to  the  writer,  “ As 
we  had  no  house  of  rvorship  at  Taylorville,  and  no  members,  I 
preached  at  first  at  the  private  residence  of  Mr.  Dorety,  in  a room 
about  12  by  14  feet  square;  afterward  using  a school-house  and 
then  the  court-house,  until  the  fall  of  1848,  when  the  Antioch  con- 
gregation built  a house  of  worship  in  Taylorville,  costing  about 
$500,  and  in  the  sjn-ing  of  1849  the  name  of  the  congregation  was 
changed  from  Antioch  to  Taylorville ; quite  a number  of  the  mem- 
bers having  moved  to  that  place.  Rev.  J.  M.  Bone  continued  his 
ministerial  services  with  them  until  the  sjnnng  of  1850,  since  which 
time  they  have  enjoyed  the  ministerial  services  of  Revs.  J.  M.  Bone, 
J.  M.  Galaway,  S.  Richards,  D.D.,  J.  B.  Logan,  D.D.,  E.  J.  Gilles- 
pie and  I.  H.  Coulter.  In  the  spring  of  1874,  this  congregation 
built  a neat  and  elegant  brick  church,  costing  them  about  $9,000, 
which  we  trust  may  long  stand  as  a monument  to  their  fidelity  and 
a blessing  to  the  world. 

And  although  they  have  met  with  severe  reverses,  yet,  with  the 
blesssing  of  Almighty  God,  they  have  gradually  taken  stronger 
hold,  and  the  little  seed  that  was  planted  there  more  than  forty 
years  ago  by  Rev.  J.  IM.  Bone,  under  the  most  unfavorable  circum- 
stances, has  not  only  sprung  up,  but  we  trust  is  bearing  fruit,  to  the 
honor  and  glory  of  God  an  hundred-fold. 

About  the  year  1861  or  1862,  Rev.  C.  T.  Linxwiler  located  in 
this  county,  and  operated  very  acceptably  and  successfully,  and 
mainly  through  his  instrumentality  on  September  13th,  1869,  a 
congregation  of  thirty-seven  members  was  organized  near  where  the 
town  of  Palmer  is  now  located,  known  as  the  Palmer  conarresation  ; 
Rev.  J.  C.  Hamilton  assisted  in  the  organization.  A.  Boyd,  H.  C. 
Johnson,  A.  E.  Boyd  and  W.  W.  Elkin  were  chosen  elders,  and 
Joseph  H.  Boyd,  deacon.  Revs.  Linxwiler  and  Hamilton  supplied 
them  with  ministerial  services  until  probably  the  spring  of  1871 , 
when  it  appears  that  Rev.  D.  R.  Bell  took  pastoral  charge  of  the  con. 
gregation,  and  served  them  until  the  spring  of  1873,  at  which  time 
the  writer  took  charge  of  the  congregation  and  located  in  the  town 
of  Palmer,  preaching  for  them  each  alternate  Sabbath,  until  the  fall 
of  1875,  when  the  congregation  built  a neat  and  comfortable  house 
of  worship,  costing  about  $1800,  and  dedicated  it  to  Almighty 
God,  January  23d,  1876. 

Rev.  J B.  Young  supplied  the  congregation  with  preaching  dur- 
ing  the  spring  and  summer  of  1876,  after  which  they  were  supplied 


96 


HISTORY  OF  CHRISTIAN  COUNTY,  ILLINOIS. 


with  the  word  and  ordinances  by  Rev.  W.  W.  I\I.  Barber,  until  the 
sjiriug  of  1878,  when  again  the  writer  served  them  a short  time 
after  which  Rev.  J.  W.  Nichodenuis  was  pastor  of  the  congregation 
for  one  year.  Since  the  fall  of  1878,  they  have  been  but  partially 
supplied  with  preaching. 

During  the  short  history  of  this  congregation  it  has  enjoyed 
many  precious  seasons  of  grace,  and  through  God  she  has  been 
blessed  as  the  means  of  the  conversion  of  scores  of  immortal 
souls.  Yet  by  removals  and  deaths,  &c.,  their  membership  does 
not  now  exceed  forty.  But  with  an  earnest  effort  on  their  part, 
and  the  blessing  of  God,  there  is  yet  for  them  a brighter  day,  and 
reasons  for  encouragement  and  renewed  consecration. 

The  Morrisonville  congregation  at  Morrisonville  was  organized 
by  Rev.  D.  R.  Bell,  January  8th,  1871.  R.  M.  Young,  Wm.  Ho- 
ver and  W.  N.  Bell  were  chosen  elders. 

Rev.  D.  R.  Bell  took  pastoral  charge  of  this  congregation,  and 
continued  his  ministerial  services  with  them  until  the  spring  of  1873. 
During  his  stay  with  them  they  built  a small  house  of  worship, 
costing  them  about  §800. 

In  the  spring  of  1873,  the  writer  took  pastoral  charge  of  this 
congregation,  in  connection  with  his  work  in  Palmer,  giving  to  each 
of  them  half  his  time,  for  one  year  or  more. 

In  the  spring  of  1876,  the  writer  located  in  Morrisonville,  and 
has  continued  his  services  with  them  up  to  this  date.  In  addition 
to  these  organizations  we  have  members  living  in  different  parts  of 
the  county  urgently  calling  for  the  means  of  grace  at  the  hand  of 
Cumberland  Presbyterian  ministers,  and  could  we  have  devoted 
ministers  sufficient  to  occupy  the  field,  there  might  soon  be  congre- 
gations organized  in  various  parts  of  the  county. 

I cannot  close  this  brief  sketch  without  giving  a synopsis  of  the 
theological  position  that  we  occupy  as  a branch  of  the  church  of 
Christ;  and  thereby  answer  the  oft-repeated  inquiry  : What  is  the 
difference  between  the  Cumberland  Presbyterians  and  other 
branches  of  the  great  Presbyterian  family  ? 

We  claim  to  be  neither  Calvinistic  nor  Arminian,  occupying 
as  we  claim  and  believe,  a middle  ground  between  the  two  extremes 
of  Calvini.sm,  on  the  one  hand,  and  Arminianism  on  the  other. 

We  understand  they  substantially  agree  on  the  doctrine  of  general 
depravity  and  salvation  by  grace.  In  this  we  agree  with  them. 

With  Arminians,  we  believe  in  a full  and  free  atonement  for 
all  men,  and  that  all  men  may  be  saved  if  they  will. 

With  Calvinists,  we  believe  in  the  final  perseverance  of  the 
saints,  based  on  the  sovereignty  of  God  and  the  agency  of  man 
combined.  In  fact,  we  believe  that  the  Bible  system  of  theology, 
as  held  by  Cumberland  I’re.sbyterians,  contains  all  that  is  good  in 
both  Arminianism  and  Calvinism,  and  none  of  the  objectionable 
j)arts  of  cither. 

Jn  our  system  we  have  the  true  relations  and  just  proportion  of 
the  supreme  and  subordinate  agency,  thereby  having  agency  as 
free  as  can  be  in  the  Arminian  system,  and  certainly  as  perfect  as  can 
be  in  the  Calvinistic,  without  the  uncertainty  of  the  one  and  the 
fatality  of  the  other. 


TIIM  I'NITED  PRESP.YTERIAN  CIIUKClI. 

J!Y  I!i;v.  ISAAC  A.  WII.HON. 

'I'hc  first  mini.ster  of  the  .\.«.sociatc  Reformed  Church  w ho  preached 
in  (,'hrislian  county  was  .lobn  P>.  Clark,  a licentiate  of  the.  Second 
As.“ociate  I’re.-bytery  of  Ohio,  one  Sabbath  in  July,  18.')2,  i)reaching 
in  'faylorville  in  the  morning,  and  at  the  hou.se  of  John  Y addell 
in  the  evening.  In  the  follow ing  autumn,  the  county  was  visiteci 
bv  Revs.  3’liomas  Drcnnen  and  -I.  M.flordon,  eacli  preaeliing  on 


Sabbath.  In  June,  1853,  Rev.  Joseph  Clokey,  of  St.  Clair,  Pa., 
jireached  on  Sabbath,  and  organized  a Sabbath-school  of  twenty 
scholars,  and  baptized  one  child,  Samuel  Clokey  Waddell,  son  of 
John  and  Ann  E.  Waddell.  After  this.  Rev.  S.  Milieu  preached 
one  Sabbath. 

In  June,  1854,  Rev.  Joseph  Clokey  visited  this  locality,  preached 
one  Sabbath,  and  organized  a congregation  of  thirteen  members, 
whose  names  we  here  record:  “John  Waddell  and  his  wife,  Ann 
E;  Elijah  Waddell  and  his  wife,  Ruth  Ann;  Archibald  Waddell 
and  his  wife,  Eliza;  James  Shaw  and  his  wife,  Mabel;  Josiah 
Waddell,  Elenor  Tedlie,  Andrew  Orr  and  his  wife,  Anna,  and 
Samuel  Orr.  One  infant  w'as  baptized.  John  Waddell  was  chosen 
and  ordained  ruling  elder.  Mr.  Waddell  still  lives  in  the  enjoy- 
ment of  health  and  the  exercise  of  this  office,  taking  an  active  part 
in  the  work  of  the  church  ; but  time  is  making  an  impression  upon 
him.  Rev.  S.  Milieu  visited  them  in  the  summer,  and  broke  unto 
them  the  bread  of  life  one  day.  Late  in  the  fall,  W.  W.  Waddell, 
a graduate  of  Muskingum  College,  and  of  the  A.  R.  Theological 
Seminary  of  Allegheny,  a licentiate,  came  to  supply  a few  Sabbaths; 
but  in  the  mysterious,  yet  wise  dispensation  of  God’s  providence, 
he  was  taken  with  typhoid  fever,  and  in  twelve  days,  Jan.  13th, 
1855,  his  earthly  course  terminated.  He  was  peculiarly  well  fitted 
for  the  work  that  seemed  to  lie  before  him,  being  a good  scholar, 
affable  in  manners,  much  devoted  to  the  cause,  well-disciplined,  and 
a good  musician.  Just  two  weeks  previous  to  this,  Elijah  Waddell, 
one  of  the  original  member-s,  was  suddenly  called  away  by  death. 
As  he  was  an  excellent  and  worthy  man,  the  little  flock  became 
much  disheartened,  and  for  nearly  two  years  there  was  only  three 
or  four  days’  preaching. 

In  June,  1857,  Rev.  Dr.  Clokey  dispensed  the  Supper  at  the 
house  of  Robert  IMatthews,  when  the  following  persons  were  received 
by  certificate:  Joseph  M.  Long  and  his  wife,  Sarah  A.,  Sarah  J. 
Long,  Rebecca  A.  Long,  IMary  E.  Long,  Robert  II.  Long,  and 
William  G.  Henry  and  his  wife,  Sarah,  from  the  congregation  of 
Le  Claire,  Pa.,  and  Robert  IMatthews  and  his  wife,  Elizabeth,  James 
Waddell  and  his  wife,  Ruth,  from  West  Virginia,  by  certificate, 
and  then  by  examination  and  profession  of  faith.  Joseph  IM. 
Long  having  been  acting  ruling  elder  in  St.  Clair  congregation,  he 
was  asked  to  continue  to  exercise  its  functions  and  duties  in  this 
congregation.  In  this  office  he  still  exercises  great  prudence, 
wisdom  and  Christian  zeal  and  fidelity. 

During  the  summer  of  1857,  a church-building  was  put  up  ready 
for  the  plastering.  From  June  until  October  of  the  following  year, 
the  congregation  was  supplied  occasionally  by  Revs.  Aten,  Young 
and  Benj.  AVaddell,  of  New  Concord,  Ohio,  who  remained  two  or 
three  Sabbaths,  dispensing  the  Lord’s  Supper  in  the  new  church,  at 
which  time  six  persons  were  received  to  membership  by  certificate. 

On  May  25th,  1858,  the  union,  which  had  been  under  negotiations 
for  nearly  twenty- five  years,  was  happily  consummated  at  Ifittsburg, 
Pa.  The  united  church  is  known  as  the  Lnited  Presbyterian 
Church  of  North  America.  The  congregation  of  which  we  write 
had  been  under  the  care  of  the  First  Associate  Reformed  Presby- 
tery of  Illinois;  but  in  consequence  of  the  union  it  was  neces.sary 
to  reorganize  the  Presbyteries,  and  the  Synod  of  Illinois,  at  its 
meeting  held  at  IMonmouth,  October,  1858,  formed  a new  Presby- 
tery, called  the  Presbytery  of  Bloomington,  which  includes  in  its 
bounds  what  is  known  as  the  I'nitcd  Presbyterian  congregation  of 
Spring  Creek.  During  the  following  year,  the  community  was 
fiivored  with  some  excellent  preaching,  as  the  record  of  names 
shows.  Revs.  ^V.  (1.  addell,  Jos  Clokey,  J.  Iv.  Black  and  . C . 
Pollock.  Rev.  W.  II.  -leli'ers  preached  IMay,  1860.  Rev.  W.  C. 
Pollock  disiien.<ed  the  Supper  in  June;  and  for  one  year  the  follow- 


HISTORY  OF  CHRISTIAN  COUNTY,  ILLINOIS. 


97 


iiig  are  recorded  as  preachers;  Revs.  II.  McIIatton,  M.  Clark,  Jas. 
kSawhill,  Robert  McCracken  and  R.  p]rskine;  the  latter  dis-  | 
pensing  tlie  Supper.  At  these  two  cotnmnnion  seasons,  eight  were  [ 
received  hy  certificate,  and  eight  by  examination  and  profession. 
During  this  summer  Revs.  John  Jemison  and  W.  II.  Blair  preached 
a few  Sabbaths,  and  Rev.  E.  B.  Calderhead  two  Sabbaths  in  Octo- 
ber, dispensing  the  Supper,  at  which  time  three  were  received  to 
membership.  Until  1864  the  pulpit  was  supplied  b}'  a number  of 
different  ministers,  among  whom  were  Revs.  E.  A.  Brownlee,  Thos.  j 
Stevenson,  William  INIorrow,  George  A.  Hutchison,  John  H.  Brown, 
and  occasionally  a day  by  Rev.  Dr.  Clokey.  In  the  spring  of  1864 
a call  was  made  out,  addressed  to  J.  H.  Brown,  a licentiate  of  Mon- 
mouth Presbytery,  asking  that  he  take  the  pastoral  oversight  of 
the  congregation;  but  he  declined.  The  following  autumn  Rev.  j 
N.  II.  Brown,  of  Chicago  Presbytery,  dispen.sed  the  Supper  Sept.  j 
2bth.  Two  were  received  by  certificate  to  membership.  Rev.  J. 

P.  Chambers  preached  in  the  winter,  and  moderated  in  a call  Nov.  j 
24th,  asking  Rev.  N.  H.  Brown  to  become  pastor.  In  this  effort  to 
secure  a settled  pastor,  the  congregation  was  successful.  Mr.  Brown 
commenced  his  labors  in  this  new  relation  May  7th,  1865.  This 
was  followed  by  an  accession  of  nine  to  the  communion  of  the  church  i 
in  that  year.  During  the  fall  of  1866,  two  additional  ruling  elders 
were  elected,  George  Patterson  and  W.  F.  Boyd,  and  on  Nov.  18th  j 
were  ordained  and  installed-  The  pastorate  of  Rev.  N.  H.  Brown 
lasted  nearly  four  years,  his  labors  ending  with  IMarch,  1869. 
During  this  time  thirty-seven  members  were  added,  and  tliirty-one  | 
dismissed,  leaving  about  forty-six  members.  There  was  but  one  | 
death,  that  of  James  K.  Graham.  The  organization  of  a congrega- 
tion at  Pana  was  the  cause  of  so  many  dismi.ssals  during  1866.  i 

From  March,  1869,  until  October,  1872,  there  was  preaching 
occasionally.  Rev.  J.  V.  Pringle,  of  Pana,  began  his  labors  as 
stated  su])ply,  preaching  every  third  Sabbath  until  October,  1876. 
Tlicre  was  then  little,  if  any,  preaching  until  May  of  the  following  i 
year,  when  Rev.  Isaac  A.  Wilson,  of  the  U.  P.  Presbytery  of  Ne- 
braska, was  directed  by  the  suiierintcndent  of  missions  of  Bloom-  | 
ington  Presbytery  to  visit  Spring  Creek  congregation,  and  ascertain 
their  wants  and  desires,  and  what  they  wished  to  do  for  the  support 
of  divine  ordinances.  He  preached  on  May  13th,  and  on  the  27th 
efforts  were  put  forth  to  ascertain  the  amount  that  could  be  raised  | 
for  preaching  halftime  in  connection  with  Pana.  This  resulted  in 
a subscription  promising  $320-  j 

About  the  first  of  July,  the  congregation  saw  fit  to  ask  Rev. 
Wilson  to  remain  for  one  year  as  stated  supply  half  time.  Some 
time  in  July  preaching  was  appointed  at  Willey’s  Station  on  the  | 
Wabash  R.  R.  The  audience,  so  far  as  numbers  were  concerned, 
was  not  flattering ; but  an  appointment  was  made  for  that  day  four 
weeks.  It  was  afterwards  decided  to  preach  every  alternate  Sab-  ! 
bath,  in  connection  with  Spring  Creek.  In  both,  the  audiences 
have  increased  in  numbers  and  interest  ever  since.  The  latter  has 
a Sabbath-school  of  nearly  100  scholars ; the  former  about  80.  | 

John  N.  Waddell  is  superintendent  of  the  Sabbath-school  at  Wil-  ' 
ley,  and  Benj.  E.  Waddell  at  Spring  Creek,  the  latter  conducting 
the  singing  in  both  places.  Both  are  well  qualified  for  these  duties. 
From  1872  to  October,  1876,  four  \vere  received  to  membership  in 
the  church.  From  May  13th,  1877,  to  the  present,  April  8tb, 
1880,  two  have  been  received  by  profession  and  examination,  and  ; 
three  by  certificate,  and  four  dismissed  by  certificate.  Peace  and 
good-will  prevail  throughout  its  bounds.  The  attendance  is  ])rompt; 
the  music  good.  There  arc  many  very  excellent  citizens  and  good 
Christian  brethren  of  other  denominations  who  worship  with  thetn, 
and  assist  in  all  the  church-work..  Such  hearty,  open  handed  cha- 
rity and  kindly  sympatby  should  not  go  unmentioned.  It  will 
13 


most  certainly  be  abundantly  blessed.  The  congregation  have  just 
been  making  an  effort  to  have  preaching  every  Sabbatli,  and  have 
pledged  for  its  su]>port  about  $600.  They  feel  hopjeful  for  the 
future.  Messrs.  John  Waddell,  Joseph  M.  Long,  George  Patterson 
and  Benjamin  E.  Waddell  constitute  the  session  at  this  writing. 
Isaac  A.  Wilson  continues  stated  supply.  John  N.  Waddell  is 
treasurer.  The  present  membership  is  thirty-six.  Since  its  organ- 
ization six  names  have  been  erased  from  the  roll.  In  fourteen 
years,  ending  April,  1880,  there  are  but  nine  deaths,  and  since  1865 
sixteen  weddings. 

UNITED  PRESBYTERIAN  CONGREGATION  AT  PANA. 

The  first  account  of  preaching  here,  as  found  upon  the  records, 
was  June  22d,  1866,  by  Rev.  W.  R.  Erskine,  at  w hich  time  the  con- 
gregation was  organized  by  the  election  and  installation  of  two  rul- 
iug  elders,  R.  D.  Murry  and  Preston  Faught.  Who  the  original 
members  were  the  records  do  not  show.  But  we  may  record  the  fol- 
lowing as  a ])art : John  IMurry  and  wife,  R.  D.  Murry,  William 
Murry  and  wife,  Maggie  J.  Florence,  Eleuor  Y.  Finly,  Elizabeth 
McNary,  Sarah  E.  Herdman,  Preston  Faught  and  others.  There 
was,  no  doubt,  preaching  by  others  previous  to  this,  but  the  above 
is  all  the  records  speak  of.  After  this.  Rev.  N.  K.  Crow'  preached 
for  one  year  or  more  as  stated  supply.  December  received  to  mem- 
bershij)  six  by  certificate  and  tw'o  by  examination  and  profession, 
also  elected  one  additional  ruling  elder,  William  White,  who 
being  previously  ordained,  was  invited  to  act  w'ith  the  session. 
During  the  same  fall  a meeting  of  session  was  held,  at  what  is 
known  as  Buckeye,  where  preaching  was  held  occasionally,  and 
received  to  mcmbershipi  by  examination  and  profession  two  and  by 
certificate  thirteen,  most  of  whom  were  from  the  United  Presbyte- 
rian congregation  of  Sj)ring  Creek. 

A meeting  of  the  congregation  was  held  Friday,  March  29th, 
1867,  to  take  action  in  relation  to  the  erection  of  a church  building, 
and  attend  to  any  other  business  that  could  come  regularly  before 
the  meeting.  We  are  then  left  in  the  dark  until  June  7th,  of  the  fol- 
lowing year  when  we  read  of  John  C.  Truesdale  dispensing  the  Lord’s 
Supper  among  them.  Two  are  received  to  membership  by  examination 
and  profession.  Mrs.  McElhany,  wife  of  David  McElhany,  is  the 
first  adult  who  received  baptism.  Preaching  was  supplied  them 
pretty  regularly,  so  far  as  we  can  learn,  yet  but  little  was  done 
toward  the  erection  of  the  church  until  Rev.  J.  V.  Pringle’s 
presence  among  them.  He  commenced  his  labors,  as  siqiply,  in  the 
latter  part  of  July.  Andrew  Gaily  was  chosen  ruling  elder,  and 
October  23d,  was  installed. 

Rev.  J.  V.  Pringle  was  installed  pastor  April  13th,  1869,  when 
eighteen  persons  were  received  to  membership,  ten  by  certificate  and 
eight  by  examination  and  profession.  September  17th,  four  re- 
ceived to  membership.  During  the  year  Ls70,  six  were  received  to 
membership.  During  the  following  year  four  received  certificates 
to  connect  with  another  denomination,  and  four  were  added  to  the 
membership.  INIay,  1872,  Mrs.  Elizabeth  Brown,  of  the  United 
Presbyterian  congregation  of  Barlow,  Washington  county,  Ohio, 
was  received  on  certificate  and  sixteen  by  examination  and  profession. 

C.  M.  Espy  was  chosen  ruling  elder,  January  25th,  and  ordained 
and  installed  March  6th.  JMay  3d,  W.  F.  Boyd,  formerly  of 
Spring  creek  session,  was  chosen,  and  June  26th  was  installed  mem- 
ber of  session. 

February  23d,  we  first  read  of  session  meeting  at  the  “ Luiited 
Presbyterian  Church.”  In  the  meantime  vigorous  efforts  were  put 
forth,  and  a subscription  of  $4,000  or  $5,000  was  secured,  and  by 
per.sonal  solicitations  of  Rev.  Pringle,  in  different  parts  of  the 
church,  $2,000  additional  were  secured,  and  with  this  the  church 


98 


HISTORY  OF  CHRISTIAN  COUNTY,  ILLINOIS. 


■was  erected.  The  house,  when  coni])leted,  cost  $9,500,  and  Avlien 
entered  there  -were  over  62,000  indebtedness  on  it. 

It  i.s  a fine  superstructure,  -well  and  tastefully  furnished.  It  is 
a neat  Gothic  brick  building;  the  walls  are  nicely  frescoed  ; and 
heated  by  furnaces,  it  is  quite  comfortable  summer  and  winter,  and  is 
an  ornament  to  the  city  of  Pana.  In  1872,  the  northern  winds 
seemed  to  blow  rather  rudely,  and  accessions  were  not  as  desired.  In 
the  following  year,  three  were  received  by  examination  and  five  by 
certificate,  in  1874,  six  were  received  to  membership.  But  the 
“new  version  of  the  Psalms”  did  not  prove  a balm  for  all  their 
wounds.  The  pastoral  relation  between  Rev.  Pringle  and  the  con- 
gregation was  dissolved  by  the  Presbytery,  February  20th,  1877. 
From  this  action  Mr.  Pringle  dissented,  and  gave  notice  of  an 
appeal  to  Synod.  The  congregation,  with  about  $1,800  of  indebted- 
ness, were  left  vacant.  Isaac  A.  Wilson  ajipeared  among  them  IMay 
12th,  and  preached  the  20th,  su2)plying  every  alternate  Sabbath 
to  the  present  writing  (April  9th,  18»0). 

The  debt  was  entirely  removed  in  less  than  one  year  by  the  as- 
sistance of  kind  friends,  and  the  Board  of  Church  Extension  of  the 
United  Presbyterian  Church.  The  Sabbath-school  is  su2)erintended 
bv  I.  A.  Wilson,  when  present.  The  membership  has  been  much 
reduced  by  death  and  removals. 


THE  BAPTIST  CHURCH. 

BY  PvEV.  OSWALD  SNELL. 

The  history  of  the  Baptist  Church  in  Illinois,  like  all  other 
churches  with  the  advance  of  civilization,  as  “ westward  the  course 
of  empire  takes  its  way : ” — is  one  of  rai)id  development.  Togo 
back  about  fifty  years,  it  will  be  at  once  observed  that  from  tlie 
smallest  beginnings,  and  most  feeble,  and  sometimes  most  unpromi- 
sing efforts  to  establish  churches  upon  the  frontier,  the  greatest 
results  and  most  rapid  succe.sses  have  ensued.  It  would  be  useless, 
and  jierhaps  uninteresting,  to  go  back  to  the  individuals  of  any 
jiarticular  society,  and  to  trace  tlieir  first  effn-ts  to  have  preaching 
service,  but  as  soon  as  societies  are  organized  tliey  become  by  their 
spirit  of  unity,  aggressive,  and  of  more  general  interest ; we  there- 
fore propose  to  mention  the  time  of  the  first  organizations  witli  which 
the  Bajitist  Churches  were  connected,  and  represented  by  delegates 
in  the  county  of  Christian  ; and  gradually  follow  uj)  the  progress  of 
others  that  were  tlie  natural  outgrowtli  of  those  existing  about 
half  a century  since  in  this  ]>art  of  tlie  State.  We  find  that  the 
Illinois  Baptist  Pastoral  Union  was  organized  at  or  about  the  year 
] 865.  The  following  ministers  were  connected  with  the  earlier  meet- 
ings, took  part  in  the  organizations,  and  attended  the  Union  from 
year  to  year,  and  arc  doubtless  remembered  by  many  of  our  oldest 
settlers,  as  their  names  have  been  a family  word  to  the  present  gen- 
eration as  pioneer  preachers  through  the  different  portions  of  the 
State,  and  laborers  in  the  county  of  Christian: — Revs.  W.  F.  Boya- 
kin,  John  M.  Peck,  E.  Tucker,  .1.  X.  Tolman,  J.  BulUley,  A. 
Jackson,  .1.  O.  Metcalf,  C.  Harrington,  J.  L.  Thompson,  W.  I).  J. 
Johnson,  G.  M Riley,  S.  G.  Miner,  S.S.  Bailey,  F.  W.  lugmire,  C. 
Grccnieaf,  S.  1\I.  Brown,  ().  J.  Sherman,  Xorman  Parks,  Jesse 
Elledge,  R.  F.  Ellis,  J.  1).  Newell,  S.  S.  Martin,  J.  W.  Dennison, 
Joel  Sweet,  B.  B.  Carpenter,  Win.  Hobbs,  Thomas  Powell,  fmther 
Stone,  Jacob  Bower,  L.  Raymoml,  H.  G Weston,  Win  Gates,  I). 
D.  Phillip'',  J.  .M.  Cha])man,  Chas.  'fhomp.son.  Organized  about 
the  same  time  and  ever  afterward  connecting  its  interests  with  the 
Bapti.st  Pastoral  Union  wa.s  the  Illinois  Baptist  Educational  Society, 
whose  officers,  board  of  managers,  presiilents,  secretaries  and 
trea.''urrrs,  were  from  time  to.  lime  elected  from  tiie  breihren  of  the 
Union;  ami  both  of  these  societies  have  been,  according  to  their 


ability  and  develoi^mcnt,  receiving  the  support  and  co-operation  of 
the  Bajitist  churches  in  Christian  county,  and  throughout  the  State  of 
Illinois  generally.  Delegates  were  annually  sent  to  represent  these 
churches,  state  their  needs,  and  secure  laborers  for  this  part  of  the 
I State.  In  the  year  1840  we  find  the  following  churches  represented 
in  the  Springfield  Association,  viz : — Springfield,  Diamond  Grove, 
Island  Grove,  Indians  Creek,  Sangamon  Bottom,  Lebanon,  Clay’s 
Grove,  Manchester,  Apple  Creek,  Stonington,  Virginia,  Big  Spring, 
Jacksonville  and  Winchester.  Stonington  Church  at  this  time  re- 
j ports  nine  members,  but  yet  in  a few'  years  afterwards  it  provides 

! a number  of  the  constituent  members  for  the  Taylorville  Orgauiz.i- 

tion.  Stonington  Church  at  this  time  was  represented  in  the  Spring- 
I field  Association  by  Samuel  Peabody,  who  was  for  a number  of 
years  the  delegate  from  the  church  to  the  association  at  its  annual 
convening.  In  the  year  1846,  we  find  the  name  of  Rev.  Paris  Prav, 
who  still  resides  at  Taylorville,  sent  as  a delegate  by  the  Stonington 
* Church  to  the  Springfield  Association,  and  the  church  at  Stonington 
numbering  forty-four  members-  The  following  is  a copy  of  the 
letter  sent  by  the  Springfield  Association  during  that  year,  and  will 
illustrate  the  s[urit  of  the  churches  and  a.ssociation  for  a number  of 
years.  “ The  Springfield  Association  to  the  Association  with  which 
we  correspond  : ” 

Dear  Brethren,  \\q  hail  with  pleasure  the  return  of  another  anni- 
versary. We  have  to  mourn  over  our  coldness,  and  complain  that 
during  the  [rast  year  we  have  been  almost  destitute  of  the  reviving  in- 
fluences of  the  Holy  Spirit.  Union  and  harmony  prevail,  and  our 
I inquiry  is  “ Wilt  thou  not  revive  us  again  ?”  Although  we  have  not 
! witnessed  any  special  outpouring  of  the  Spirit  of  God,  yet  W'e  feel  to 
rejoice  that  there  is  at  present  a spirit  of  humility  and  contrition  of 
heart  manifested  by  the  churches.  Brethren  pray  for  us,  that  we 
may  arise  from  our  lethargy  and  shake  off  the  shackles  that  bind 
us  to  the  earth,  so  that  we  may  rise  on  the  wings  of  faith,  lay  hold 
' on  the  horns  of  the  altar  and  claim  the  promises  of  God.  Our  sessions 
have  been  marked  by  harmony  and  interest,  and  we  doubt  not  a 
salutary  influence  is  exerted  on  the  minds  of  the  attentive  audience'. 
We  solicit  a continuance  of  correspondence,  and  always  welcome 
with  joy  the  presence  of  your  delegates  and  ministers.  That  you 
may  know'  what  we  are  doing  for  a world  that  lieth  in  wickedness, 
wc  refer  you  to  our  minutes.  Now  Brethren  may  the  Master  of 
A.ssemblies  be  with  us  all,  and  may  the  gentle  influence  of  His 
Spirit  guide  us  in  the  ways  of  truth,  that  we  may  glorify  Him  here 
in  our  bodies  and  spirits  which  are  His.  Farewell. 

II  aving  thus  taken  a rajiid  review'  of  the  gradual  development 
of  the  Baptist  organizations  prior  to  this  time,  and  their  connection 
with  the  Churches  of  Christian  county,  we  come  naturally  to  note 
the  establishment  of  the  Bajitist  Church  in  Taylorville.  Prior  to 
the  organization  of  the  church  in  Taylorville,  a sjiccial  meeting  was 
held  jnirsuant  to  jircvious  notice,  X^ovember  23d,  1848,  Rev  G. 
S.  Bailey  acting  as  moderator,  and  Wm.  S.  Frink  acting  as  clerk. 
At  a sjiecial  meiting  called  for  Xovember  10,  1848,  it  was  voted 
that  we  jirocecd  at  this  time  to  organize  a Baptist  Church,  to  be 
called  thc“  Taylorville  Bajitist  Church.”  Having  been  fully  satisfied 
that  the  Bajitist  Church  at  Stonington  (from  which  these  members 
came),  cordially  assented  to  this  organization,  the  following  brethren 
and  sisters,  viz: — Thomas  S.  Lcachman,  Joscjihine  Lcachman,  Julia 
A.  Lcachman,  William  S.  Frink,  Sarah  1.  Frink,  Sarah  A.  Frink, 
Lydia  A.  Frink,  John  A.  Lcachman,  IMary  E.  Lcachman,  Horace 
Morgan,  IMercv  A.  Morgan  and  Aaron  Bchvmer,  were  by  Rev.  G. 
S.  Bailey  and  llev.  Paris  Pray,  recogni.sed  as  a Bajitist  Church.  On 
motion,  Wm.  S.  Frink  was  elected  church  clerk.  It  was  resolved 
that  the  Saturday  jircceding  the  second  Sabbath  in  each  month 
shall  be  the  regular  covenant  and  church  meeting  ; at  a meeting 


HISTORY  OF  CHRISTIAN  COUNTY,  ILLINOIS. 


99 


lield  by  tlie  churcli,  February  lOtb,  184!),  it  was  voted  tliat  T.  S. 
Leaebmaii  and  W.  S.  Frink  be  a conunittee  to  visit  the  cdiurcdi  at 
Stonington,  and  confer  with  them  and  with  any  otlier  that  they  may 
deem  expedient,  in  relation  to  supplying  this  church  with  preaching 
a part  of  the  time  during  tlic  current  year,  also  that  J.  II. 
Leachman  and  Aaron  Behymer  be  a committee  to  secure  if  possible 
the  use  of  the  Cumberland  Presbyterian  Cluirch  edifice  for  what 
part  of  the  time  it  can  be  secured.  At  a regular  church  meeting 
held  March  10th,  1849,  Kev.  Paris  Pray  was  called  as  the  first 
pastor,  half  of  his  time  to  be  given  to  “ Taylorville  Baptist  Church,” 
and  the  remainder  to  “South  Fork  Church.” 

May  12,  1849,  Rev.  Norman  Parks,  missionary  agent  of  the 
General  As.sociation  of  Illinois,  was  here,  and  presented  the  claims 
of  the  Association.  The  committee  reported  that  the  n.se  of  the 
Presbyterian  house  of  worship  could  only  be  secured  for  the  second 
Sabbath  in  each  month,  which  was  accepted.  August  11,  1849,  at 
a regular  meeting  the  first  letter  from  the  church  to  the  Springfield 
Association,  prepared  and  read  by  tbc  clerk,  W.  S.  Frink,  was 
adopted  and  read  as  follows  : 

Beloved  Brethren. — On  the  23d  of  November,  1848,  a number  of 
brethren  and  sisters  formerly  members  of  the  Baptist  Church  at 
Stonington,  pursuant  to  previous  arrangement  assembled  at  Taylor- 
ville, and  with  the  a.ssistance  and  co-operation  of  the  Rev.  G.  S 
Bailey  of  Springfield,  Illinois,  and  Rev.  Paris  Pray  of  Stonington, 
organized  a Bapti.st  Church  ; since  last  spring  Rev.  Paris  Pray  has 
labored  under  tbe  patronage  of  this  church  one  half  of  the  time, 
dividing  his  labors  between  Taylorville  and  a neigbborhood  at  the 
south  part  of  our  county,  where  his  labors  seem  very  acceptable. 

We  have  no  meeting-house,  nor  are  we  at  present  able  to  build 
one,  but  we  are  permitted  to  occupy  the  Cund)erland  Presbyterian 
house  one  Sabbath  in  each  month.  Our  settlements  are  not  very 
dense.  Our  Methodist  brethren  are  erecting  a meeting-house,  and  the 
number  of  persons  who  usually  attend  meeting  at  Taylorville,  are 
not  sufficient  to  make  three  respectable  congregations,  so  that  we 
deem  our  present  arrangement  the  best  that  can  now  be  made  ; con- 
nected with  our  and  the  Presbyterian  Churcb,  we  have  a Sabbath- 
school  of  over  one  hundred  members,  a Union  S.  S.  Library  of  some 
400  volumes.  Our  S.  S.  is  a very  interesting  one  ; since  its 
organization  (April  1848),  several  conversions  have  taken  place 
among  the  scholars,  some  of  whom  have  united  with  our  church 
here.  We  have  no  special  revival  season  to  record  since  our 
organization,  but  we  have  the  satisfaction  to  say  that  a spirit  of 
harmony,  union  and  oneness  of  feeling  has  evinced  that  rve  have  in 
some  degree  at  least,  enjoyed  the  approving  smile  of  the  great  Head 
of  the  Church,  our  Lord  and  Saviour  Jesus  Christ.  Our  number 
at  organization  12,  by  letter  1,  total  13.  “ Jacob  is  very  small,  b}' 

wbom  shall  Jacob  arise  ? ” 

The  church  united  with  the  Springfield  Association  as  above,  and 
individual  subscriptions  were  taken  fur  tbe  purpose  of  procuring 
and  sustaining  an  iiinei’ant  tbrougb  the  bounds  of  tbe  S2>ringfield 
Association.  September  12,  1849,  T.  S.  Leachman  was  ordained 
deacon,  after  the  evening  service,  by  Rev.  G.  S.  Bailey  and  Rev. 
I’aris  Pray.  October  13,  1849,  the  first  persons  were  baptized  into 
tins  ebureb,  viz;  Simeon  Brents,  Mary  \V.  Brents,  his  wife,  and 
Ellen  Pearce,  by  Rev.  Paris  I’ray. 

May  11,  1850,  at  a regular  meeting  of  the  church,  AV.  S.  Frink, 
deacon  ; T.  S.  Leachman  and  Robert  Welcb  were  appointed  trustees, 
and  authorized  to  secure  a lot  in  tbe  village  of  Taylorville,  whereon 
to  erect  a meeting-house  for  the  u.se  of  the  Baptist  Church.  Total 
membership  reported  this  year  to  the  Springfield  Association  held 
at  Manchester  was  29.  Resolved  at  this  meeting,  that  the  church 


approves  and  ratifies  the  reception  of  members  at  tbe  late  meetings 
held  at  South  Fork,  and  hereby  gives  to  Rev.  Paris  lb-ay  and  such 
others  of  this  church  as  may  be  hereafter  there  assembled,  to  receive 
in  tbe  same  manner  as  the  church  does  at  this  place,  any  and  all 
such  persons  as  may  ])rc.sent  themselves,  being  found  in  tbe  estima- 
tion of  the  members  present,  worthy  ; and  this  authority  to  remain 
in  force  until  rescinded  by  act  of  the  church.  In  the  year  1851, 
January  11,  it  was  voted  at  a regular  meeting  that  the  brethren 
and  sisters  residing  on  the  South  Fork,  members  of  Taylorville 
Baptist  Church,  have  permi.ssion  if  they  think  it  expedient,  to 
organize  a Baptist  Church,  and  when  so  organized  and  recognized 
as  a Baptist  Church,  to  report  to  this  church  the  names  of  all  such 
members  as  go  into  the  organization,  also  that  the  church  cordially 
invite  Rev.  Jacob  Knapi)  to  hold  a series  of  meetings  with  this 
church  at  such  time  as  will  best  suit  bis  engageimnts.  March  22, 
1851,  the  following  named  brethren  and  sisters  were  organized  into 
a new  church,  viz;  Francis  S.  AVhite,  Polly  Skinner,  Henry  Riggs, 
Malinda  Riggs,  Robert  S.  AVelch,  Mary  A.  Welcb,  John  Ishmael, 
Susannah  Ishmael,  John  McClery,  Snrsia  McClery,  Duane  Skinner, 
Elizabeth  Skinner,  Jonathan  Clark,  Minerva  Clark,  James  F. 
AVhite,  Robert  E.  White,  James  Virden,  William  Crail,  Susan 
Crail,  Van  AY.  AYilliams,  Alary  C.  AVhite,  Lucy  Skinner,  Elizabeth 
AYilcox,  Emily  AVilcox,  Nancy  E.  Pearce,  Alartha  AYilliams, 
Bridget  Robin.son.  April  12,  1851,  a verj-  thin  attendance,  owing 
probably  to  the  existence  of  a case  of  small-pox  in  the  village  of 
Taylorville.  Additions  during  the  year  30,  dismissed  32,  leaving  a 
membership  of  27  only.  During  the  year  1852,  elder  Dodson 
labored  with  the  church  one  Sabbath  in  each  month.  A Union 
monthly  prayer-meeting  was  held  in  the  village  of  Taylorville 
during  this  year  by  the  difierent  denominations  in  behalf  of  the  S. 
S.  interest.  A meeting-house  was  commenced  in  the  spring  of  this 
year  32x36  feet  in  size ; during  the  year  1853,  Rev.  George  AY.  S.  Bell, 
a licentiate,  preached  for  the  church.  Alembersbip  reported  39  The 
Rev.  S.  AY.  Nuston  preached  to  the  church  from  October  1st  of  this 
year,  and  was  granted  the  opportunity  by  vote  to  jireach  to  the 
Bear  Creek  church  one  Sabbath  in  each  month.  J.  II.  Leach- 
man died  this  year,  and  resolutions  of  respect  to  his  meinoiy 
were  passed  and  reported  upon  the  church  book.  The  “Female 
Bible  Society  ” during  the  year  donated  to  the  church  a good  Bible, 
and  the  church  edifice  was  duly  dedicated  on  the  second  Sabbath  in 
September,  1853.  Prior  to  this  the  church  met  in, a little  school-house 
14  feet  square.  Revs.  E.  Dodson,  Paris  Pray  and  Bell  wei-e  present 
at  the  dedication.  Alembership  reported  for  year  53.  November 
11,  1854,  James  II.  Ryan  and  Elizabeth  E.  Ryan,  presented 
a letter  from  the  1st  Regular  Baptist  Church  of  Springfield, 
Ohio,  and  were  unanimously  received.  Airs.  Alariah  A.  Good- 
rich and  Aliss  Lydia  E.  Frink  departed  this  life  during  the  month 
of  November,  and  a preamble  and  resolutions  w-ere  recorded  on  the 
church  book  to  their  memory.  At  a meeting  held  January  13th, 
1855,  it  was  unanimously  voted  to  give  Rev.  Cyrus  Aliner,  of  Attica, 
New-  York,  a call  to  the  pastoral  charge  of  this  church,  and  pledged 
the  amount  of  $500  fur  his  salary.  In  the  month  of  April,  1855, 
letters  of  dismission  wore  granted  to  Zack  Harris,  Athalia  Harris, 
Aaron  Behymer,  Nancy  E.  Behymer,  Jonathan  L.  I’ugh,  Alary 
Swift,  Rebecca  Alosidon,  done  for  the  purimse  of  uniting  with  others 
in  organizing  a church  at  Clear  Creek,  about  seven  miles  N.  AY.  of 
Taylorville.  August  11.  1855,  Rev.  C.  S.  Aliner  tendered  his 
r-esignation  to  the  Church.  AY.  Allen,  a licentiate  from  N.  A’. 
State,  supplied  the  church  some  months  during  the  year  1856, 
then  returned  to  New  A'ork,  and  died  of  consumption.  June  1st 
of  this  year,  W.  A.  Goodrich  was  appointed  delegate  to  sit 
in  council  at  Bear  Creek  for  ordaining  Rev.  B.  F.  Cliapman.  In 


100 


]]  I STORY  OF  CHRISTIAN  COUNTY,  ILLINOIS. 


tlie  year  1856,  November  18th,  Rev.  Thomas  Reece  was  elected 
pastor.  July  27,  1857,  llaiiiel  and  IMargaret  A.  Rariies  were  re- 
ceived hy  letter  from  Decatur,  Illinois. 

At  a church  meeting.  May  7,  George  Duke  was  expelled  from 
the  membership  of  the  church.  On  request  of  Rev.  W . Reece,  deacon 
T.  S.  Leachman,  AY.  S.  Drink,  J.  II.  Ryan  and  AY.  A.  Goodrich 
Avere  appointed  delegates  to  meet  in  council  with  the  brethren  at 
Rana,  Illinois,  on  the  21st  day  of  July,  1858,  to  assist  in  organizing 
a church  at  that  jdace.  During  1859,  Rev.  Paris  Pray,  who  had 
moved  fi'om  Stonington  and  settled  in  Taylorville,  supplied  the 
church  with  preaching  occasionally,  hut  tlie  church  was  without  a 
jjastor  until  September,  1861,  when  Rev.  John  AY.  lerry  was  called 
to  labor  with  the  church,  at  a salary  of  $250  per  annum,  which  was 
afterward  raised  to  $300;  hut  he  closed  his  labors  at  the  end  of  the 
year  1861.  Deacon  T.  S.  Leachman,  one  of  the  constituent  memhers, 
died  Alay  7,  1863,  and  a record  of  his  faithful  services  were  made 
in  the  annual  letter  to  the  Springfield  Association.  No  minutes 
during  1864.  James  S.  Ryan  appointed  as  delegate  to  the  Spring- 
field  Association,  held  at  Decatur;  number  of  memhers  reported  26. 
Alarch  27,  1835,  at  an  appointed  meeting,  the  church  endorsed  and 
approved  of  Rev.  J.  M.  Maxwell  for  appointment  hy  the  executive 
hoard  of  the  general  association  of  Illinois,  to  labor  with  this  church 
for  one  year,  from  Alarch  18,  1865,  at  a salary  of  $450,  asking  the 
association  to  appropriate  $lo0,  which  was  done.  IMuy  13,  1865, 
Daniel  Barnes  was  elected  to  the  office  of  deacon  for  this  church. 
June  7,  1866,  Edward  Overand  and  wife  from  Hartford,  Conn., 
j)rcsented  their  letter  and  were  received  by  the  church  ; a parsonage 
was  built  and  an  organ  secured  during  the  year.  AY.  S.  Frink  was 
elected  deacon  of  the  church,  July  11,  1867.  Two  memhers  died 
during  the  year,  viz  : Rev.  Ah  R.  AYatt  and  Sarah  Frink,  one  of  the 
constituent  members.  In  the  month  of  February,  Rev.  Edward 
Jones  from  Nokomis,  began  preacliing  each  alternate  Sabbath,  and 
was  called  as  regular  pastor  July  10,  1868.  Annie  Goodrich 
from  AYest  Jefferson,  Ohio,  united  with  the  church  in  April  of  this 
year.  The  church  was  afflicted  l)y  the  death  of  deacon  Daniel 
Barnes,  much  to  their  sorrow  and  regret  as  exj)ressed  in  “ ChicMcjo 
Sttindord,”  of  July,  1868.  January  31st,  Charles  E.  Barnes  united 
by  baptism  with  this  church.  Rev.  E.  Jones  resigned  the  pastoral 
care  of  the  church  October  2,  1870,  and  AY.  S.  Frink,  Jose])h  E. 
Ellicottand  Rev.  Paris  Pray  were  appointed  a committee  to  draft 
and  furnish  the  church  with  resolutions  expres.sive  of  the  feelings  of 
the  church,  in  view  of  this  severance  of  the  relations  of  ])astor  and 
jicople,  for  ])ublication  in  the  “ Chiaujo  Standard.,”  and  the  city 
jiapers;  about  the  middle  of  November,  1870,  Rev.  E.  Jones  again 
r(!sumed  the  pastoral  care  of  the  churcli,  and  again  resigned  the 
last  of  A]>ril,  1871  ; he  was  an  earnest,  faithful  minister  of  the  gospel. 

On  May  17th,  1871,  Rev.  Pv.  B.  Evans  was  invited  to  preach 
for  the  Church,  which  he  did,  with  much  .satisfaction,  until 
the  following  Se])tember,  when  he  was  elected  pastor.  The  follow- 
ing members  of  the  Church  were  a])pointed  to  sit  in  council  at 
.Alorrisonville,  Christian  County,  1 11s.,  ugust  12th,  1871,  for  the 
]»ur[)ose  of  organizing  a Bai>tist  Church  at  that  place,  which  was 
at  that  lime  ac(;omplished,  viz:  Rev.  I!.  1*.  I'..vans,  Rev.  Bails  Bray, 
Ed  ( tveraiid,  AY.  S.  I'rink  and  .1.  B.  Hllicott.  Rev.  !!•  B. 
Evans  returned  to  the  Theological  Seminary  of  Chicago,  about  the 
15th  of  September,  1871.  Number  of  members  reported  this  year, 
!»7.  On  'I'inxiay,  .lanuary  2d,  1872,  at  a busine.ss  meeting, 
A\h  S.  f’rink,  avIio  had  served  the  Cliureh  as  clerk  ovei'  twenty 
Years,  re.-igned  the  office,  and  O.  E.  Barnes  was  elected  to  fill 
the  vaeamy.  E.  Overand,  at  the  same  meeting,  was  elected  as 
(haeon  of  the  Chureh.  .January  22<1,  1872,  Benny,  Brown  and 
Ellieott  were  appointed  a committee  to  eoni'er  with  the  other 


Churches  of  the  town,  Avith  the  object  of  securing  the  same  evening 
for  prayer-meeting,  and  AA'^ednesday  evening  Avas  selected.  The 
Church  called  RcAn  .1.  I).  Cole  to  the  pastorate,  and  he  entered  upon 
his  labors  in  Alay,  1872,  at  a salary  of  $700  per  annum,  and  the 
])arsonage  for  a residence.  Alay  7th,  same  year,  AY.  S.  Frink  re- 
signed the  office  of  Trustee  of  the  Church,  and  a committee  was 
appointed  to  present  to  Deacon  Frink  its  Avarm  regards,  and  grati- 
tude to  him  for  his  many  years  of  faithful  service  for  the  church. 

^ The  Church  unanimously  called  to  the  pastorate,  July  15th,  1872, 
the  Rev.  John  Jones  recently  from  AA’^ales,  at  a salary  of  $700, 
and  use  of  the  parsonage.  The  “ Sjiringlield  Association”  met 
Avith  the  Church  this  year,  and  a committee  was  appointed  by  the 
Church  to  receive  the  delegates.  August  30th,  1872,  I.  N. 

; Richardson  Avas  elected  Clerk.  No\n  5th,  the  Church  adopted  the 
j Aveekly  system  of  collecting  the  Pastor’s  salary,  to  hand  in  as  a col- 

I lection  every  Sunday  morning.  Sejit.  3d,  Rev  E A\^.  Dannels,  of 

j Zanesville,  O , Avas  called  as  Pastor  of  the  Church.  April  1st,  1873, 
j on  motion,  Avhich  Avas  duly  voted  and  recorded,  the  hand  of  fellow- 
ship Avas  withdrawn  from  Samuel  Brown,  on  charge  of  e.xtortion, 

! slander,  and  disorderly  conduct,  unbecoming  a Christian.  During 
this  year  the  following  sums  were  contributed  for  benevolent  pur- 
poses: For  Alinisterial  Education,  $87  00;  Foreign  Alissions, 

27  00;  Home  Alissions,  $50  00;  Church  Edifice  Fund,  $40  00; 
Theological  Union  of  Chicago,  $60  00.  The  experience  of  the 
i Church,  relative  to  financial  matters,  Avas  “ AA’^e  have  adopted  the 
j weekly  envelope  system  for  procuring  money  for  all  expenses  of  the 
Church,  and  find  it  to  be  quite  a succe.ss,  and  would  recommend 
it  to  our  sister  Churches,  Avhere  it  has  not  been  adopted.”  Nov.  1st, 

' 1873,  Rev.  E.  AY.  Dannels  resigned  as  Pastor  of  the  Church,  much 

to  their  regret,  and  resolutions  expressive  of  their  feelings  Avere 
))resented  to  him.  Rev.  AI.  C.  Clark  Avas  called  to  the  Pastorate, 
Dec.  1st,  of  same  year,  and  presented  letters  from  1st  Baptist 
Church  of  Gosport,  la.  April  7th,  1874,  a committee  of  one  Avas 
appointed  to  inform  the  trustees  of  the  Church,  that  it  is  the  desire 
of  the  Church  that  the  meeting-house  be  used  for  nothing  but  de- 
votional exercises.'  Rev.  AI.  C.  Clark  resigned  the  pastoral  care  of 
I the  Church,  Nov.  29th,  1874.  Rev.  D.  AA'^.  Alorgan  of  Gluey,  III., 
Avas  called  to  the  pastorate,  Jan.  1st,  1375,  at  a salary  of  $700 
and  all  that  can  be  raised  over  that  amount.  At  a called  meeting, 
June  7tl),  1875,  AY.  A.  Goodrich,  AATn.  Chamberlain,  Levi 
AVitherill,  James  AI.  Taylor  and  AA^.  C.  Griffith  Avere  ap- 
pointed a committee  of  five  to  decide  on  tlie  location  of  a new 
Church  edilice,  and  to  act  as  a building  committee.  On  the  18th 
of  June,  1875,  the  committee  reported  that  they  had  sold  the  ol  1 
house  of  Avorshij)  for  the  sum  of  $230,  reserving  the  bell  an  I 
seats,  and  had  purchased  lots  east  of  the  square.  On  June  21st, 
1875,  a regular  Church  meeting  was  held,  and  after  some  discus- 
sion as  to  the  authority  of  the  committee,  etc.,  it  was  voted  “That 
Avc  indorse  the  action  of  the  committee  and  re([uest  them  to  go  on 
Avith  the  Avork  of  Church  building.”  Oct.  Pith,  1875,  Deacon  E. 
Overand  resigned  bis  office;  Levi  AA’itherill  also  resigned  as 
member  of  the  building  committee.  On  the  23d  of  Augirst,  1875, 
the  following  resolution  on  motion  Avas  accepted  from  the  building 
committee  : “ AA’hen'as,  the  subscriptions  for  the  building  of  the  new 
Church  eilifice  arc  made  imyablc  in  one,  two  and  three  years,  1875, 
’76  and  ’77,  and  it  is  necessary,  in  order  to  enclose  the  building  and 
finish  the  lecture-room  and  jiarlors  for  use  the  coming  Avintcr,  that 
momy  be,  borrowed  enough  to  enclose  .said  building,  to  be  met  by 
subscriptions  coming  due  as  aforesaiil.  Besolved,  therefore,  that 
the  'rrustees  of  lids  church  Ix',  and  they  are  hereby  requested, 
authorized  ami  empowered  to  borrow  the  sum  of  $2500,  and  secure 
the  payment  of  the  .same  upon  the  lots  and  building  of  the  church. 


HISTORY  OF  CHRISTIAN  COUNTY,  ILLINOIS. 


101 


that  sum  being  necessary  to  enclose  said  building,  and  do  the  work 
necessary  to  be  done  this  fall,”  whicli  was  carried,  also  to  lay  the 
corner-stone  of  the  new  church  building  IMonday,  August  30th,  at 
3 i>.  M.  Tlie  clerk  was  also  instructed  to  prepare  a list  of  names 
of  members  of  the  church,  Avith  other  matters  of  the  church  history, 
to  be  placed  in  the  corner-stone.  Jan.  4th,  187G,  Rev.  Paris  Pray 
was  duly  elected  to  till  the  office  of  deacon,  made  vacant  by  the 
rcsiffiiation  of  R-  Overand,  and  N.  Burch  to  fill  the  office  of  trustee 
to  suj)ply  the  place  of  John  Reed,  resigned,  and  J.  M.  Taylor 
was  instructed  by  the  church  to  cast  the  vote  for  the  election  of  W. 
S.  Frink  as  treasurer.  F.  Cook  Avas  elected  clerk.  July  18ih,  Win. 
Cliamberlain  Avas  elected  by  ballot  as  assistant  deacon  of  the  church. 
Rev.  D.  W.  jMorgan  resigned  the  pastorate  Aug.  29th,  1876,  and 
Rev.  8.  D.  Badger  Avas  called  to  the  pastoral  care  of  the  church 
by  unanimous  vote,  June  12th,  1»77,  at  a salary  of  $600  per  annum. 
July  3d,  1877,  a motion  Avas  carried  to  call  an  ecclesiastical  coun- 
cil for  the  purpose  of  ordaining  to  the  ministry.  Rev.  S.  D.  Badger, 
said  meeting  to  be  held  Saturday,  August  11th,  1877,  at  2 i>.  m., 
and  the  foIh^Aving  cluirches  Avere  requested  to  send  tAVO  delegates, 
each  to  sit  in  council  : First  Baptist  Church  of  Springfield,  North 

C'liurch,  Springfield,  Assumption,  jMoawcqua,  Stoniugton,  Pana, 
Shelbyville,  Decatur,  Sadorus,  McLean  and  Oreana.  Rev.  A.  A. 
Kindrich,  D.  D.,  of  Upper  Alton,  and  Rev.  J.  M.  Gregory,  D.  D.^ 
of  Champaign,  Avere  also  invited  to  participate  in  the  action  of  the 
council,  and  be  members  of  the  same. 

The  following  is  a partial  report  of  a financial  committee,  which 
is  well  worthy  of  notice,  said  committee  being  composed  of  James 
]M.  Taylor,  Albert  R.  Peck  and  W.  A.  Goodrich,  May  27th,  1877: 
Your  committee  Avould  suggest,  that  it  is  necessary  not  only  that 
more  subscriptions,  but  larger  ones,  be  paid.  They  find  upon  ex- 
amination of  the  list  of  contributions  fur  jirevious  year-s,  Avlien  the 
expenses  Avere  much  larger,  and  were  pronqitly  met,  that  the  con- 
tributors numbered  about  thirty-five,  and  that  the  poorer  members 
of  the  church  contributed  nearly,  if  not  quite,  as  much  uoav  as  they 
did  then,  but  that  the  falling  off  in  contributions  is  more  in  the 
amount  contributed,  and  the  hard  times  seem  to  have  struck  the 
Avealthy  instead  of  the  poor  members  of  the  church,  they  having 
reduced  their  subscriptions,  Avdth  a few  exceptions,  from  one-half  to 
one-fourth  their  usual  and  former  contributions,  all  of  Avhich  is  re- 
spectfully submitted. 

A license  Avas  granted  at  this  meeting  to  enable  O.  E.  Badger 
to  preach  the  gosiiel.  James  JM.  Taylor  Avas  elected  treasurer 
in  place  of  W.  8.  Frink.  A bajitismal  committee  Avas  also  ap- 
pointed, consisting  of  W.  A.  Goodrich,  I\I.  A.  Goodrich  and  Sarah 
IMorrison.  On  September  2d,  1878,  James  E.  Low  resigned  his 
position  as  clerk  of  the  church,  and  Albert  R.  Peck  Avas  ap- 
pointed to  fill  the  vacancy  caused  by  resignation,  April  1st,  1879. 
At  a regular  business-meeting  held  April  1st,  1879,  the  trustees 
Avere  instructed  to  repair  fence  around  the  church-grounds, 
and  also  to  put  out  hard  maple  trees  around  the  outside  of  said 
grounds.  Rev.  Paris  Pray  resigned  his  position  as  deacon,  which 
vacancy  Avas  filled  by  Albert  R.  Peck.  Rev-  S.  D.  Badger’s 
pastorate  commenced  May  25th,  1877,  and  closed  at  his  resignation. 

Aug.  27th,  1879,  at  a special  business-meeting,  a unanimous  call 
Avas  extended  to  Rev.  OsAvald  Snell,  Avho  had  been  laboring  on  the 
field  for  some  Aveeks  to  supply  the  church  as  minister  for  three 
months;  and  at  the  end  of  his  four  months’  service,  a verv  unani- 
mous call  Avas  given  him  by  the  church  to  become  its  pastor,  at  a 
salary  of  $650  per  annum  for  an  indefinite  time,  to  be  terminated 
by  either  party  giving  three  months’  notice,  Avhen  desirable  so  to 
do.  The  church,  at  the  commencement  of  Elder  Snell’s  labor.s  in 
it,  Avas  in  a A'ery  Ioav  and  almost  hopeless  condition.  Many  of  the 


members  despaired  of  ever  keeping  the  large  church,  Avorth  $6,000, 
in  their  possession,  as  a mortgage  of  $2,800  was  bearing  upon  it  ; 
and  it  Avas  the  common  expression  among  Avorldly  men  that  either 
the  Roman  Catholics  were  going  to  get  the  church,  or  else  it  AA’ould 
be  turned  into  a theatre;  but,  in  the  providence  of  God,  they 
found  a man  Avho  could  live  by  faith  and  inspire  others  Avith  hope, 
and  things  in  a fcAV  months  began  to  brighten.  About  this  time  a 
bequest  of  $2  000,  Avhich  Avas  left  by  Mr  N.  Sanders,  of  Stonington, 
Christian  Co.,  111.  (for  purposes  hereinafter  mentioned),  engaged 
the  attention  of  the  church  and  its  pastor,  and  negotiations  Avere 
entered  into  to  secure  the  use  of  the  money ; and  by  raising  about 
$820  more  in  cash,  the  indebtedness  on  the  church  Avas  paid  in  this 
city,  and  this  church  forever  saved  to  the  denomination. 

It  is  expected  that  at  an  early  date  the  church  edifice  Avill  be 
comiileted,  and  Ave  doubt  not  the  completion  of  such  a house  of 
AA’orship,  as  an  ornament  to  the  town,  will  be  gratifying  to  our  citi- 
zens, and  all  Avill  be  Avilling  to  do  what  they  can  to  help  in  this 
object.  Elder  Snell,  Avho  has  been  supplying  the  church  and  lead- 
ing in  this  Avork  since  July  last,  much  to  their  satisfaction  and 
encouragement,  has  recently  received  and  accepted  a unanimous 
call  to  become  permanent  pastor.  The  church  started  out  anew 
Aviih  hope  revived.  On  the  14th  of  January,  1879,  Elder  Snell  be- 
gan a revival  meeting  in  the  church,  and  though  small  in  its  begin- 
ning, increased  in  influence  and  interest,  until  the  Avhole  toAvn  Avas 
interested  and  the  country  for  miles  Avas  moved  upon.  Three  or 
four  other  protracted  meetings  began  Avith  the  ending  of  the  Aveek 
of  prayer,  and  this  continued  on  until  the  temperance  campaign 
Avork  began,  aa  hen  the  meeting  Avas  adjourned  for  tAvo  Aveeks,  (so  as 
not  to  conflict  Avith  the  tenqAerance  meetings,)  and  AA’as  afterAvards 
carried  on,  and  the  Lord  poured  out  His  Spirit  upon  the  meeting, 
and  some  forty  or  fifty  souls  Avere  hopefully  converted.  About  35 
additions  Avere  the  results  of  the  revival  at  the  Baptist  Church  ; 
about  25  of  these  by  baptism.  Rev.  D.  C.  IMcBride,  of  Stoning- 
ton, came  about  the  fourth  Aveek  of  the  revival  meeting  and  assisteil 
the  pastor  very  much  by  speaking  and  singing  in  the  meeting  about 
fourteen  days.  The  Rev.  C.  Starkey,  of  Bethalto,  Illinois,  also 
rendered  assistance  for  about  a Aveek  in  this  meeting,  and  the  Rev. 
J.  N.  Hobart,  D.D.,  General  Missionary  of  the  state  of  Illinois, 
Avas  also  present  one  day  and  night,  and  encouraged  much  by  his 
kind,  earnest  Avords.  The  Avorkers  in  this  glorious  revival  meeting, 
some  of  the  most  depraA’ed  and  hardened  men,  came  to  Christ  and 
Avere  saved  ; several  young  people  and  many  heads  of  families.  It 
is  expected  to  finish  the  church  edifice  this  year  D.  V.  This,  Avith- 
out  exceptions,  has  been  the  most  successful  year,  spiritually  and 
temporally,  for  the  church  in  Taylorville  since  its  organization. 
Hundreds  left  for  Avant  of  room  during  the  revival  meeting,  and 
often  noAV  people  can  not  gain  admittance,  hence  the  church  feels 
the  importance  of  finishing  the  edifice,  AAdien  its  seating  capaeity 
Avill  be  about  six  or  seA^en  hundred  Avhen  required.  J.  M. 
Taylor  is  the  active,  earnest  Sunday-school  Superintendent,  and  Ave 
have  a\'eraged  the  jxist  six  months  about  125  scholars  each  Sabbath. 
Judge  Frink  is  still  living  and  in  his  90th  year,  and  Avalks  half  a 
mile  to  church  e\'ery  Sabbath ; reads  still  Avithoiit  spectacles. 
Albert  R.  Peck  is  still  the  faithful  clerk  of  the  church,  as  Avell  as 
deacon,  and  some  tAVo  years  since  laid  doAvn  his  hammer  to  study 
laAV  in  the  office  of  the  successful  hiAvyer,  J.  M.  Taylor.  Gus. 
Goodrich,  aaOio  Avas  for  some  years  our  Avorthy  county  treasurer, 
retains  his  office  Avith  Nich.  Burch,  as  trustee  of  the  church.  Par- 
son Pray  still  pursues  the  CA'en  tenor  of  his  Avay,  and  occasionallv 
the  Rev.  Hobart,  D.D.,  our  venerable  and  much  esteemed  general 
missionary  of  the  State  of  Illinors,  puts  in  an  ajipearance  at  Tay- 
lorville, and  by  his  kind  Avords  of  advice  and  sympathy,  encour- 


102 


HISTORY  OF  CHRISTIAN  COUNTY,  ILLINOIS. 


ages  and  strengthens  the  things  that  remain.  The  present  pastor, 
liev.  Oswald  Snell,  a man  much  esteemed  and  respected  in  this  city 
by  all  who  know  him,  is  now  pushing  forward  the  work  of  com- 
pleting the  beautiful  fJaptist  Church  edifice, 'which  is  said  to  be  one 
of  the  finest  in  Christian  county,  averaging  about  50  by  90  feet  in 
size.  ’Tis  pleasant,  as  this  church  historj'  draws  to  a close,  to  real- 
ize, as  we  take  a retrospect  of  the  past,  how  much  improvement 
there  has  been  in  our  county  and  state,  socially,  morally,  and  spiri- 
tually, and  that  the  great  moral  governor  of  the  universe,  though 
he  buries  his  workman,  still  carries  on  his  work.  Should  any  of 
the  numerous  readers  of  our  County  History  come  this  way,  pastor 
and  people  will  be  glad  to  welcome  them  by  the  hand  of  fraternity, 
and  bid  them  God  speed  on  their  way. 


THE  3IETHODIST  EPISCOPAL  CHURCH, 

BY  MRS.  MARY'  II.  VILLARS. 

The  Grove  City  Station  is  the  outgrowth  of  a Methodist  Class 
organized  in  1833,  at  the  residence  of  Col.  Peter  Porter,  and  sup- 
posed to  be  the  oldest  Methodist  society  in  Christian  county.  The 
class  was  organized  by  Rev.  J.  H.  Benson.  For  some  years  the 
society  held  their  meetings  at  Col.  I’orter’s  residence,  until  a house 
of  worship  was  erected,  which  was  completed  in  185‘2.  Dedicatory 
sermon  was  preached  by  Rev.  Jonathan  Stamper,  of  Decatur.  The 
church  was  called  “ Wesley  Chapel,”  and  was  built  on  land  given 
for  the  purpose  by  John  INITvenzie,  about  two  miles  east  of  Col. 
Porter’s.  The  society  occuj)ied  this  house  until  Grove  City  Church 
was  built  in  1866,  when  the  class  was  transferred  to  the  latter  place. 
Grove  City  Church  is  a frame  structure,  sightly  in  appearance,  and 
cost  §6,000.  Dedicatory  sermon  and  services  by  Rev.  H.  Buck. 
'Die  society  has  generally  been  quite  prosperous,  and  numbers  at 
present  165  members. 

Col.  Porter’s  liousc  was  a preaching  place  for  our  earliest  pioneer 
preachers.  Richard  Bird,  Peter  Cartwright,  Peter  Akers,  and 
others  of  the  early  pioneers,  preached  there.  The  house  has  been 
moved  away  some  years.  Formerly  the  charge  was  in  tlic  form  of 
a circuit,  but  became  a station  in  1867.  I’astors.  Leonard  Smith, 
J.  IV.  Wc.st,  J.  B.  Colwell,  Ira  Emerson,  I.  T.  Roberts,  J.  L. 
Rol)inson,  the  i)rcsent  pastor. 

Father  Bruner,  as  he  is  familiarly  called,  is  the  oldest  member 
of  Grove  City  charge,  was  born  in  'Washington  county,  IMaryland, 
October  5th,  1795.  IMovcd  to  Frederick  in  1812.  In  1817  re- 
moved to  AVashington  City,  where  under  the  labors  of  Rev.  Burch 
he  was  converted  and  united  witli  the  Old  Foundry  M.  E.  Church, 
in  a Love-feast  held  September  26th,  1817.  Joined  a class  of  men 
which  met  at  Sunrise,  l'’ather  Lovejoy,  leader.  lieturned  to 
I’rcderick  in  1818.  Resided  there  until  his  removal  to  Illinois  in 
18-12.  Father  Bruner  has  been  a cla.ss  leader  for  over  fifty  years. 
Is  more  than  an  ordinary  man  in  ])icty,  devotion  and  intelligence, 
lias  been  very  useful  to  the  cluircli,  and  even  now  is  very  active 
I'or  one  of  lii.s  age,  being  in  his  85tli  year. 

II.  ('.and  J.  M.  Lindsley  arc  among  the  “reliables”  in  the 
church,  steward.s  and  clas.s  leaders,  and  men  of  sterling  Christian 
character,  greatly  esteemc(l  by  the  entire  community.  S.  .1.  Sad- 
dler, a large  land  owner  and  stock  dealer;  M^in.  lUcKenzie,  a man 
powerful  to  “ prevail  with  God,”  and  David  I lenshie,  unassuming 
and  quiet,  and  thortuighly  ])ious,  may  also  be  numbered  with  the 
leading  men  of  the  Grove  t'ily  charge.  Tlie  verdict  of  one  of  the 
|la^tors  of  this  charge  mav  be  of  valui'  to  those  iiitcrcsteil.  “This 
ir-  one  ol’  the  most  pleasant  charges  in  the  Illinois  Conference.” 

Lilinhiir;i  t V/rio’t,  takes  in  Ediidmrg,  Sharpsinirg,  and  Bctlniny, 
in  the  bounds  ol  t 'hri.'tiiui  county,  comprising  a membership  of 


250,  including  probatii  ners ; the  Sabbath-schools  aggregate  over 
200.  In  1864,  under  the  pastorate  of  Rev.  Gunn,  Edinburg  erected 
a house  of  worship.  Sharpsbiirg  church  was  built  in  ’74.  Bethany 
in  ’67.  The  first  class  formed,  on  what  is  now  Edinburg  Circuit, 
was  in  1845  or  ’46,  at  Robt  Richardson’s.  In  the  early  MethodisTii 
of  Edinburg  we  find  the  name  of  "Wm.  Halford  as  a leader  in 
church  enterprise  and  devotion.  Later  that  of  J.  B.  Eaton. 

At  Sharpsbiirg,  S.  B.  Sheldon  was  for  many  years  a faithful  and 
devoted  servant  of  the  church.  His  kindly  services  with  those  of 
his  estimable  family  will  be  recalled  to  mind  by  the  early  itinerant 
with  feelings  of  gratitude.  Jared  Young,  now  in  Nebraska,  Father 
Nash  and  family,  and  Wm.  Hargis,  were  also  leaders  in  every  good 
word  and  work. 

Among  the  present  workeis  at  Sharpsburg  may  bo  mentioned  O. 
M.  Sheldon,  Robt.  Nash,  G.  W.  Stewart  and  Dr.  A.  F.  McNeil, 

At  Bethany,  Robert  Richardson  and  Father  'Whitman,  at  who.«e 
homes  the  itinerant  Methodi.st  preached,  as  early  as  1840,  were  the 
leading  spirits  of  Methodism  of  early  days.  In  later  years  we  find 
the  names  of  A.  F.  Snow,  R.  Graham,  Geo.  Waymick,  Isaac  Rich- 
ardson, Frank  Whitman,  John  Richardson,  Wm.  M.  Dolby  and  E. 
T.  Ogden. 

The  following  are  the  names  of  the  different  pastors  : Revs.  Gunn, 
A.  Orr,  John  Staples  (supply),  J.  C.  Ivellar,  J.  B.  Haas,  H.  Miller, 
J.  J.  Dugan  and  W.  W.  Curnutt,  the  present  jiastor. 

MT.  AUBURN  M.  E.  CHURCH. 

In  1843  a class  was  organized  at  the  house  of  John  Benson,  one 
mile  west  of  where  the  village  of  IMt.  Auburn  now  stands.  The 
class  consisted  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  John  Benson,  Eliza  M^hite,  and 
three  others  named  Rice.  Soon  after  the  organization  of  the  class, 
six  others  united,  making  twelve  in  all  ; Mr.  and  Mrs.  T.  J.  Virden, 
INIr.  and  IMrs.  James  Potter,  and  Mr.  and  JMrs.  George  ^Vilcox. 

A church  was  built  in  1859,  costing  about  §3,000,  and  in  1869  a 
parsonage  was  erected  at  a cost  of  §550. 

The  membership  has  increased  considerably  in  number  at  differ- 
ent periods.  The  first  members  here  are  nearly  ali  gone  to  their 
reward.  The  present  does  not  jirobably  exceed  20,  and  for  the  past 
three  or  four  years  there  has  not  been  regular  preacliing  kejit  up. 

The  Morrisonville  and  Palmer  Circuit  organized  in  1871,  is  com- 
posed of  six  preaching  places,  iMorrisonvillc,  Palmer,  Shiloh,  King’s 
School-house,  Providence  and  Maple  Grove.  The  Shiloli  Class  is  the 
strongest  appointment  in  the  circuit,  numerically  and  financially. 
IMorrisonvillc  is  pre[)aring  to  build  a good  church  during  the  coming 
year.  During  the  jiast  winter  (1879-80)  the  churcli  was  so  unfor- 
tunate as  to  lose  their  par.sonage  by  fire,  but  with  commendable 
zeal  and  courage,  the  circuit  began  at  once  to  raise  funds  for 
anotlier,  and  in  less  than  four  months  after  the  lire,  the  jiastor  and 
his  I'amily  were  installed  in  a new  iiarsonage,  larger  and  much 
better  than  the  former.  The  society  numbers  200  members.  J.  B. 
Haas  was  jircacher  in  charge  in  1871.  J.  R.  Rea.soms,  present 
pastor. 

TAYI.ORVIU.E  jr.  E.  UllUIiCII. 

There  is  no  record  of  the  first  organization  of  the  IMcthodist 
Society  at  Taylorvillc.  There  was  a class  there  for  several  years, 
and  it  was  the  head  of  what  was  known  as  the  Taylorvillc  Circuit. 
It  was  made  a “Station  ” in  1866,  and  it  is  probable  the  first  class 
was  organized  twenty-five  years  previous,  but  the  records  here  have 
been  lost,  anil  jiersonal  recollections  have  beni  the  oidy  source 
of  information.  The  society  in  (lie  town  nnmbi'red  100  members, 
and  two  country  classes  having  about  30  membi'i's  in  all,  were 
united  with  the  town  society  and  fiirmed  Taylorvillc  Station. 
The  Taylorvillc  Chureli  was  a small  brick  (2-1  x.36  feet),  built  in 


IIlSrORY  OF  CHRISTIAN  COUNTY,  ILLINOIS. 


103 


1848-9.  In  1869,  the  present  house,  a substantial  brick  edifice,  was 
erected  (40x70  feet  ),  with  a seating  capacity  of  over  400.  The  church 
also  owns  a good  parsonage.  The  society  numbers  174  members,  and  is 
out  of  debt,  in  a prosperous  condition,  and  bids  lair  to  make  one  of 
the  strong  appointments  of  the  Illinois  Conference.  Official  board 
at  time  of  making  it  a station : J.  H.  Moore,  P.  E. ; J.  B.  Colwell, 
P.  C. ; A.  M.  Dunevan,  L I)  ; John  A.  Hall,  L.  P.  ; Jacob  Max- 
Avell,  F.  Young,  J.  Fraley,  J.  K.  Vanderbelt  and  J.  Demotte,  class 
leaders.  H.  Maxwell,  J.  Demotte,  John  Copeland,  J.  Maxwell,  J. 
W.  Young,  stewards.  M.  C.  Long,  J.  Young,  W.  F.  Hayes  and  M. 
L.  Young,  trustees. 

Official  Board  of  1880 : W.  W.  Anderson,  A.  Seaman,  L.  B. 
Slater,  A-  DemoOe,  F.  O.  Bulpit,  M.  C.  Long,  D.  McCaskill,  J. 
Shatter,  C.  S.  Blenkenship,  A.  McCaskill,  S.  W.  Lantz  and  Mrs. 
Meda  Simpson. 

Pastors  from  1861-80:  D.  P.  Lyon,  A.  T.  Orr,  John  Staples,  J. 
B Colwell,  H.  C.  Adams,  G.  J.  Barrett,  Iv.  W.  Travis,  D.  Bardsick, 
J.  C.  Rucker,  J.  S.  Akers,  J Montgomery,  P C.  Colwell,  Anderson 
Orr,  W.  S.  Mathens  and  ^V’.  A.  Smith,  present  pastor. 

TANA  M.  E CIIURCir. 

The  first  M.  E.  Class  in  Pana  was  organized  in  1855,  by  Green 
Walker,  who  was  at  that  time  proprietor  of  a boardingdiouse  in 
Pana.  Mr.  Walker  was  leader  of  the  class,  and  is  said  to  have 
offered  the  first  public  i)rayer  in  Pana.  The  class  consisted  of 
Green  Walker  and  Millie  Walker  his  wife,  their  daughter  Deborah 
A.  Walker,  now  Mrs.  J.  C.  Stout  of  the  Kentucky  House  in  Pana, 
Henry  Slack,  Rachel  Slack,  Miss  Irving  Sanders  and  Mrs.  E P. 
Sanders ; seven  in  all.  The  first  class-meeting  in  Pana  was  held  in 
the  freight  house  of  the  Illinois  Central  R.  R.  The  first  INIethodist 
Sabbath  school  was  held  in  the  same  place  for  over  a year,  Jesse 
Heath  superintendent. 

The  first  regular  Methodist  preaching  was  in  the  “ Yaucy  House,” 
a small  frame  house  unj^lastercd,  fronting  on  the  Illinois  Central  R. 
R.,  and  just  north  of  where  the  Harrison  House  now  stands  It 
was  in  this  house  that  the  first  Quarterly  INIeeting  of  Pana  Metho- 
dism was  held  in  the  sj^ring  of  1856,  Rev.  Huckstep,  P.  C. ; J.  L. 
Crane,  P.  E.  There  is  no  record  of  the  (Quarterly  Conference 
(business  meeting),  of  this  year  to  be  found,  and  the  facts  were 
ascertained  from  parties  who  were  present  at  the  Sabbath  services. 

The  earliest  records  show  the  names  of  the  following  jrartics  as 
members  of  the  Quarterly  Conference  of  Pana  Circuit,  in  the  spring 
of  1857 : J.  L.  Crane,  P.  E. ; J.  P.  Prickett,  P.  C.  ; J.  W.  Housten 
and  R.  L.  Pulower,  local  elders;  Jonas  Thatcher,  class  leader;  H. 
Ij.  Rose,  W.  II.  Shockly,  stewards. 

First  revival  services  of  M.  E.  Church  in  Pana  were  held  in 
winter  of  1857-8,  under  the  pastorate  of  S.  S.  Russell  and  W.  A. 
Wil  mer.  The  services  were  held  in  what  is  now  known  as  “ Law- 
rence Hall,”  during  which  quite  a number  of  souls  were  converted 
and  added  to  the  church,  some  on  probation  and  some  by  letter.  The 
following  year  the  church  commenced  to  build  a house  of  worship^ 
but  it  was  not  completed  until  the  autumn  of  1859.  It  is  a frame 
structure,  and  was  situated  just  north  of  St.  James’  Hotel,  but  as  the 
town  built  up,  it  was  found  to  be  too  far  from  the  centre  of  poj)ula- 
tion,  and  in  1866  when  the  aj'pointment  was  made  a station,  it 
was  deemed  advisable  to  move  it  two  blocks  south  of  the  St.  Louis 
railroad,  and  two  blocks  cast  of  Illinois  Central  railroad,  where  it 
now  stands.  Since  its  removal  a spire  has  been  added,  also  a study 
and  a chapel,  gi.ing  the  whole  church  a seating  capacity  of  about 
500. 

The  church  in  Pana  has  been  served  by  the  following  pastors : 
Huckstep,  J.  C.  Prickett,  B.  Hungerford,  S.  S.  Rus.scll,  J. 


“H.  Aldrich,  W.  B.  M.  Colt,  Wm.  P.  Paxton,  R.  Holding,  Wm.  B. 
Anderson,  G.  J.  Barrett,  J.  H.  Holloway,  C.  P.  Baldwin,  J.  Shaw, 
E.  D.  Wilkin,  A.  C.  Armentrout,  J.  T.  Orr,  and  I.  Villans,  present 
jrastor. 

Presiding  elders : J.  L.  Crane,  H.  Birch,  R.  W.  Travis,  J.  II. 
Moore,  J.  I.  Davidson,  C.  B.  Baldwin,  James  Leatin,  II.  Buck. 

Official  board  of  1880.  J.  P.  Mooney,  W.  W.  IMorrison,  E.  C. 
Reece,  W.  J.  Moore,  S.  M.  Haywood,  P.  M.  Kichols,  Phillip  Jage- 
man,  Wm.  Iloppok,  J.  W.  Cox,  J.  T.  Albright,  A.  M.  Jewell,  J.  E. 
Neely,  J.  C.  Essick. 

Sab'nath-school  numbers  about  325,  including  primary  department, 
and  is  in  a flourishing  condition.  The  Primary  department  is 
superintended  by  Mrs.  P.  M.  Nichols,  a very  efficient  and  devoted 
worker.  This  department  numbers  about  eighty  names.  Is  con- 
ducted in  the  class  system,  with  eight  young  ladies  as  teachei’.', 
subject  to  the  direction  of  Mrs.  Nichols. 

The  church  in  Pana  has  had  its  drawbacks  and  hindrances,  but 
to-day  stands  on  decided  ground,  condemning  the  wrong  and  firm 
for  the  right.  The  testimony  of  one  who  is  not  a member  of  the  M. 
E.  communion,  and  has  resided  in  Pana  from  its  earliest  history, 
will  perhaps  exi)ress  the  position  of  the  church  on  the  tempermice 
question.  “ Pana  Methodism  ever  since  the  organization  of  its  first 
class  has  been  noted  for  its  opposition  to  the  traffic  in  alcohol.  The 
members  of  the  first  cla.ss  made  it  their  busine.ss  to  oppose  the  sale 
of  intoxicants  in  the  town ; and  the  society  has  been  fighiing 
whisky  ever  since.”  A statement  which  could  probably  be  applied 
with  j)erfect  propriety,  not  only  to  Pana  and  Christian  county 
Methodism,  but  to  Methodism  generally. 

Tlie  society  at  Stonington  was  organized  in  1867  by  Rev.  W.  H. 
Fnrgison,  a local  preacher.  The  class  was  organized  at  Wash- 
ington school-honse,  which  stood  one-half  mile  south  of  the  vil- 
lage of  Stonington.  The  class  was  composed  of  seven  members: 
]Mr.  and  Mrs.  James  Fnrgison,  ]Mr.  and  Mrs.  William  Liner, 
jMrs.  Livergood,  Wm.  Marion  and  Nancy  Williams.  In  1873  the 
society  built  a good  church  at  a cost  of  $3,000.  The  membership 
at  present  numbers  between  60  and  70.  James  Fnrgison,  B.  C. 
Chapman  and  IMrs.  J.  M.  Liustcr  are  among  the  leading  members 
of  the  society.  The  pastors  since ’67  have  been  W.  II.  Fnrgison, 
John  Staples,  Joseph  Pellatt,  J.  W.  Warfield,  J.  M.  McElherron, 
R.  W.  Travis,  F.  C.  Bruner,  G.  D.  Furber.  At  present  Stonington 
belongs  to  Blue  Mound  circuit,  and  is  under  the  pastorate  of  J.  Iv. 
Crawford. 

ASSUMPTION  M.  E.  CIIURCII. 

Assumption  society  was  organized  in  1860  with  eight  members: 
Joel  H.  Abbott,  class  leader,  J.  L.  Demotte,  Ann  Demotte,  W. 
Demotte,  J.  P.  Stark,  Anne  Stark,  Hulda  Custing  and  J.  K.  IMor- 
ton  composed  the  class.  It  now  numbers  77.  The  society  has  a 
house  of  worship,  built  in  1868-9,  costing  $4,000.  In  1876  a par- 
sonage was  built  which  cost  $750.  The  society  is  not  very  strong 
financially;  but  there  is  a goodly  number  of  earnest  working  Chris- 
tians, and  their  influence  is  being  felt  for  good  in  the  community. 
H.  II.  Tobias  is  Sunday  school  superintendent ; Amos  Kerr,  E. 
Mohr  and  E.  J.  Fribley,  stewards;  Isaac  Campbell,  J.  A.  Wemjile, 
H.  H.  Tobias,  E.  W.  IMohr,  Amos  Kerr,  trustees.  The  circuit  con- 
sists of  Assumption,  Millersville  and  the  Wright  school-house. 
The  })astors  were  E.  E.  Cowperthwait,  A.  Y.  Graham,  J.  K.  Craw- 
ford and  J.  W.  Warfield,  the  pastor  now  (1880)  in  charge. 

MIEEERSVILLE  M.  E CIIURCII. 

This  society  Avas  organized  in  1870  by  Rev.  Moses  Tichnell. 
Twelve  persons  composed  the  class  at  the  time:  Thomas  IMiller, 
Jane  Miller,  Jemima  C.  Miller,  George  Miller,  Sarah  C.  Miller,  M. 


104 


HISTORY  OF  CHRISTIAN  COUNTY,  ILLINOIS. 


G.  Oakey,  Elizabeth  Oakey,  J.  Shaw,  Anne  Shaw,  Susanna  Dusen- 
berry,  Win.  Maxwell  and  Win.  A.  INIaxwell.  The  society  has  a 
small  but  neat  frame  church  built  in  1871. 

KOSEMOXD  M.  E.  CHURCH.  ^ 

The  Rosemond  charge  consists  of  four  appointments:  Rosemond, 
Buckeve  clu  pel,  Owaneco  and  Fairview.  Although  Rosemond  is 
the  head  of  the  circuit,  it  is  the  youngest  of  the  four  classes,  being 
organized  in  1867.  The  society  consisted  of  eight  members  at  the 
time  of  its  organization:  Alex.  Simpson,  Eliza  Simpson,  Thomas 
Hartop,  Anna  Hartop,  Win.  W.  Morrison,  Ellen  Morrison,  Henry 
Bess  and  Nancy  Bess.  Since  that  time,  the  class  has  grown  con- 
siderably in  numbers  and  financial  strength.  A house  of  worship 
•was  built  the  same  year  as  the  organization  of  the  class.  The  circuit 
owns  a parsonage  near  the  Rosemond  church.  The  charge  has  been 
served  by  the  following  pastors:  G.  Miller,  G.  J.  Barrett,  J.  M. 
West,  J.  E.  Lindley,  W.  Murphy,  T.  M.  Dillon,  Win.  McK.  Good- 
ing, C.  E.  IMcClintock  and  F.  S.  Swart,  the  pastor  now  in  charge. 
Henry  Bess  is  leader  of  Rosemond  class,  and  he  and  his  wife  are 
amonof  the  faithful  and  devoted  workers  of  the  church.  Stewards: 

O 

J.  F.  Warner,  J.  L.  Brown  ; trustees.  Win.  Guthrie,  Joshua  Osborn, 
John  Hathaway,  S-  Winter  and  Win.  Weaver;  Sunday-school 
superintendent,  Charles  Stitcs. 

BUCKEYE  M.  E.  CHURCH. 

At  Buckeye  chapel  there  is  a flourishing  society,  organized  in 
1855  by  Rev.  M.  Shunk.  The  society  belonged  to  Taylorville  cir- 
cuit until  the  formation  of  Rosemond  charge,  when  it  was  included 
in  the  latter  work.  The  class  was  organized  with  fifteen  members: 
Samuel  Cowgill,  Louisa  Cowgill,  Win.  Hunter,  Susan  Hunter, 
lilary  Hunter,  Dr.  W.  H.  McCoy  and  ]\Irs.  IMcCoy,  Samuel  Ijarge, 
^laria  Large,  Noel  Rape,  Elizabetli  Rape,  Rebekah  Baker,  and 
two  sisters  of  Mrs.  James  Whitlaw — names  not  given.  The  society 
is  strong  numerically,  financially  and  spiritually,  and  is  an  old- 
fashioned  INIethodist  appointment,  in  the  grandest  sense  of  that 
])hra.se.  Thomas  Bonnell  and  S.  S.  Kanaga  are  local  elders;  Henry 
Millard,  Win.  Large,  class-leaders;  Philip  Ebert,  J.  W.  Hunter, 
stewards;  Joshua  Gimlen,  H.  L.  IMiill,  T.  Bonnell,  George  IMc- 
Guire,  S.  S.  Kanaga,  J.  McGaw,  J.  W.  Hunter,  Samuel  Large, 
trustees. 

OWAN’ECO  M.  E.  CHURCH. 

This  society  organized  in  1862  by  Rev.  D.  P.  Lyon,  with  ten 
members:  ^Ir.  and  IMrs.  A\  m.  Anderson,  Mr,  and  ^Irs.  Philip 
Baker,  Nanev  Madison,  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Win.  Bailey,  Mr.  and  iMrs. 
Aaron  P.rown,  and  Annie  Braillcy.  The  society  has  a good  frame 
church  built  in  1873.  Class  leaders,  J.  W.  Resler,  J.  M.  Shuler; 
stewards,  J J.  Danford,  A.  B.  Leeper  ; trustees,  J.  J.  Danford,  J. 
^I.  Shuler,  .James  Hogue,  Royal  MeShea,  .1.  Millhorn,  Charles  T. 
Pecker,  E.  W.  Stout,  H.  B.  Leejier  and  J.  C.  Hunter.  Sunday- 
school  superintendent,  J.  .I-  Danford. 

E.VIRVIEW  M.  E.  CHURCH. 

h'airview  class  was  organiz  al  in  186!)  with  26  members.  'I  he 
following  an:  the  names  of  members:  E.  Denton  and  wife,  R.  Fm- 
bleby,  Liila  I'mbleby,  Mr.  ami  Mrs.  Matthew  l.usader,  INIr.  and 
Mrs.  A.  N.  Snyder,  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Win.  Walters,  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Samuel  I inblcby,  JIarrict  McMiller,  Mary  Mcl'^lroy,  J.  W.  and 
F.mma  M'Mlrov,  .)  and  .\nnie  .).  McElroy,  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Win. 
Cherry,  Mr.'  .1.  Watkins,  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Win.  .Johnson,  and  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  I’eter  .Johnson.  The  house  of  worshiji  was  built  in  1868, 
and  dedicated  .Jan.  8th,  186!),  by  Rev.  \V . X.  Me  Flroy,  son  of 
Marv  Mcl'llroy,  and  brother  to  J.  A.  and  .1.  W.  MeJllroy,  and  at 


that  time  pastor  of  1st  M.  E.  Church,  Bloomington,  now  presiding 
elder  of  Bloomington  district.  The  church  was  built  and  dedicated 
before  the  organization  of  the  society,  a very  unusual  proceeding  for 
a Methodist  societjc  But  the  people  of  the  neighborhood  felt  the 
need  of  a house  in  which  to  worship,  and  many  who  were  not  at 
that  time  professing  Christians  gave  liberally.  Andrew  Miller,  not 
a member  of  the  church  at  that  time,  gave  the  site  for  building  and 
$.500  in  money  as  a beginning.  Of  course,  the  church  was  soon 
paid  for.  Among  the  most  active  members  at  the  time  of  organiza- 
tion were  E.  Denton,  Wm.  Walters,  J.  IM.  New.  Leading  members 
now:  Dr.  McDivitt,  E.  Denton,  J.  M.  New,  E.  McChristy  and  C. 
W.  Wilson.  Mrs.  Mary  McElroy,  mother  of  W.  N.,  J.  A.  and  J. 
W.  McElroy,  is  the  oldest  living  member  of  Fairview  class.  Born 
in  1801,  she  was  converted  and  united  with  the  M.  E.  church  in  1818, 
and  consequently  has  been  a Methodist  for  sixty-two  years ; and 
tliose  who  knew  her  now  and  during  previous  years  will  testify  that 
hers  has  not  been  a merely  nominal  church-membership.  She  has 
been  an  earnest  Christian  worker;  and  while  performing  Christian 
duties  measured  by  the  very  highest  standard,  she  has  also  had  the 
Christian’s  spiritual  enjoyment.  With  a heart  overflowing  with 
love  to  God  and  man,  to  her  “ duty  has  never  seemed  a load,”  nor 
“worship  proved  a task.”  A happy,  hopeful  Chri.-itian,  with  an 
experience  of  the  “deep  things  of  God,”  she  is  truly  a “mother  in 
Israel;”  and  many  will  bless  her  memory  long  after  she  is  called  to 
her  reward.  Among  other  elect  ladies  of  Rosemond  charge,  might 
be  mentioned  the  names  of  Mrs.  Tichnell,  Mary  J.  Warner,  Jane 
Stites,  Anna  Sutton  and  Jane  Rosenberry  of  Rosemond  ; Margaret 
Danford,  Catharine  Millhorn  and  Angeline  Fox,  of  Owaneco;  Fran- 
ces New',  Emma  McElroy,  Matilda  Lusader,  Nancy  Umbleby  and 
jMary  Graham  of  Fairview;  Ixate  Bonnell,  Charlotte  Largo,  IMary 
A.  Large,  Martha  Hunter,  Catharine  Hunter,  Rebekah  Lakiu  and 
Mattie  C.  McGuire,  of  Buckeye.  Total  membership)  of  Rosemond 
circuit,  396  The  total  number  of  communicants  in  the  M.  E. 
Church  in  Christian  county  is  about  1,800,  including  probationers. 
There  are  seven  pastors,  with  an  average  salary  of  $725. 


THE  ROIMAN  CATHOLIC  CHURCH. 

BY  REV.  FREDERICK  SCHUEZE. 

The  lieginning  of  the  Roman  Catholic  Church  and  its  organiza- 
tions in  Christian  County  dates  back  almost  to  the  first  settlement. 
Tliough  the  membership  was  smaller  in  the  commencement,  one 
may  count  between  400  and  500  families  at  present,  who  are  di- 
vided into  five  congregations  or  parishes  in  the  following  places, 
viz:  Taylorville,  Assumption,  Ihina,  IMorrisonville  and  Stonington. 
According  to  times  and  circumstances,  the  jirogress  and  improve- 
ment was  different  in  each  of  these  five  parishes. 

As  Taylorville  was  the  first  organized  towm  in  the  county,  here 
also  the  organization  of  the  Catholic  Church  made  it.s  start. 
It  was  about  the  year  1846.  This  district,  like  the  whole  State  of 
Illinois,  was  at  that  time  under  the  spiritual  charge  of  the  R.  C. 
Bishop  of  C’hicago.  A few  families  that  had  come  from  the  State 
of  Iventucky  and  settled  around  Taylorville,  joined  together  and 
erected  a small  frame  building,  to  serve  as  a chapel  for  religious 
service.  The  building  still  exists  as  the  entrance  jmrt  of  the  new 
church.  There  was  no  priest  residing  in  the  county  at  that  time, 
and  even  the  attendance  of  a neighboring  clergyman  was  very  rare, 
as  communication  was  difficult  for  want  of  railroads.  The  place 
used  to  be  visited  about  three  or  four  times  a year  by  a priest  from 
Springfield,  in  the  adjacent  Sangamon  County.  This  continued 
till  the  time  when  the  Catholic  congregation  of  Assumiition  was 
organized,  about  I860.  Henceforth  the  priest  residing  at  Assump- 


HISTORY  OF  CHRISTIAN  COUNTY,  ILLINOIS. 


105 


tion  commenced  to  attend  Taylorville  once  a month.  Since  the 
number  of  members  had  increased  and  the  monthly  attendance  was 
not  very  regular,  the  Catholics  of  the  latter  place  made  some  efforts 
to  have  a pastor  of  their  own  residing  with  them.  Hence  they 
commenced  with  the  building  of  a new  priest-house.  This  was 
about  1871.  They  bought  three  lots  of  ground,  one  block 
further  south  of  the  old  church.  The  house  w'as  built  by 
Father  Kecouvreur,  who  was  for  a long  time  at  Assumption,  and 
was  then  moved  to  Edwardsville.  However,  he  did  not  complete 
the  work.  This  was  done  by  Rev.  Father  Claus,  who  was  appointed 
by  the  R.  C.  bishop  of  Alton,  as  a resident  priest  for  Taylorville, 
in  the  year  1872.  He  finished  the  building  of  the  house.  At  the  i 
same  time  he  got  the  old  church  moved  from  the  former  place  t) 
the  lot  where  the  new  pastoral  residence  had  been  erected  in  the 
year  1874.  On  this  occasion  they  put  a new  addition  to  the  older 
part  and  a sacristy.  Father  Claus,  after  his  first  coming  had 
been  sent  to  Ruma,  and  again  returned  after  half  a year;  still  he 
did  not  reside  in  Taylorville  very  long,  but  soon  moved  to  Morrison, 
ville,  and  attended  Taylorville  every  other  Sunday  from  the  latter  ^ 
place.  This  continued  till  December,  1877,  when  Father  Schulze 
was  sent  by  the  R.  C.  bishop  of  Alton  to  Taylorville  with  an  order 
to  reside  there.  Thus  it  stands  to-day. 

The  number  of  Catholic  families  amounts  to  about  seventy  at 
present,  of  whom  far  the  greater  part  live  in  the  country ; about 
one-fourth  of  them  are  of  German  descent,  the  rest  English-speaking 
people.  The  church  is  entirely  too  small,  but  Ave  hope  a new 
building  will  be  erected  at  a time  not  far  distant.  The  ne.xt 
Catholic  church  Avas  organized  at  Assumption,  in  1857,  by  Mr.  E. 

E.  IMalhiot.  He  donated  ten  acres  of  ground,  and  Avith  his  own 
money,  built  a little  chapel  and  priest-house.  The  first  resident 
priest  Avas  Father  Gonaud,  a Frenchman.  After  about  three  years 
he  Avas  succeeded  by  Father  Dutour,  Avho  remained  four  yeai’s. 
Father  Bedart  folloAved  him  for  three  years,  and  then  Father  Re- 
couvreur.  The  latter  remained  only  three  months.  Next  Avas 
Father  Jacque,  a native  of  Alsatia.  He  remained  at  Assumption 
f )r  six  years,  and  greatly  improved  the  Catholic  church  and  con- 
gregation. A ncAV  brick  church  Avas  commenced  under  his  guidance.  ! 
lie  also  built  a ncAV  priest-house,  since  the  old  one  had  been  de- 
stroyed by  fire.  When  Father  Jacque  left  Assumption,  he  Avas  ; 
followed  by  Father  Withopf,  Avho  remained  there  three  years,  till 
Fenyen  came,  Avho  remained  only  three  months.  Father  Dechene 
succeeded  him  in  November,  1878,  and  is  pastor  at  the  present 
time.  Since  he  came  he  has  finished  partly  the  inside  AA'ork  of  the 
church  and  priest-house,  built  by  Father  Jacque. 

The  number  of  Catholic  families  at  jjresent  amounts  to  about 
oue  hundred  and  tAventy,  partly  French,  Canadians,  Irish  descent 
and  a few  Germans.  The  church  is  a strong  and  large  brick 
building,  situated  in  the  suburbs  of  the  town.  There  is  also  a 
Catholic  grave-yard  not  very  far  from  it. 

The  Catholic  church  at  Pana  Avas  built  in  1860,  by  Father  Cusack. 

It  used  to  be  attended  from  Shelbyville  and  different  places  in  the 
neighborhood.  Father  Cusack’s  successors  Avere  Father  Tunnel, 
P'ather  Jacque  and  Father  Lohmann.  Rev.  Father  Storp,  Avho 
came  there  about  1876,  remained  a short  time  and  moved  to 
Shelbyville  He  attends  Pana  eA’ery  other  Sunday.  The  number 
of  Catholic  families  is  about  one  hundred,  of  AA’hich  near  half  live 
in  the  toAvn  itself. 

The  Catholic  congregation  of  Morrisonville  Avas  organized  about 
1870  by  Father  Lohmann  of  Hillsboro,  Avho  built  the  church  at 
that  time.  The  first  residing  ]>riest  Avas  Father  Claus,  aa'Iio  moved 
there  from  Taylorville  about  1873  and  attended  each  place  CA'ery 
other  Sunday.  It  Avas  by  him,  that  the  priest-house  also  Avas  built. 

14 


He  Avas  succeeded  by  Rev.  Father  Teppe  in  1877,  Avho  is  yet  pastor; 
he  attends,  also,  the  BroAvn  settlement,  eight  miles  Avest,  in  INIont- 
gomery  County. 

The  number  of  families  at  Morrisonville  amounts  to  seventy  ; 
about  twenty  of  these  are  Germans,  the  rest  Irish. 

The  Catholic  congregation  of  the  latest  date  in  Christian  county 
is  that  of  Stonington,  ten  miles  north  from  Taylorville.^  It  Avas  in- 
corporated about  the  year  1873.  Father  Kane,  at  that  time  pastor 
of  the  church  in  Macon,  Avas  the  first  one  to  encourage  the  Catholics 
around  the  little  town  of  Stonington  to  build  a church  and  organize 
themselves  as  a congregation.  The  R.  C.  Bishop  Baltes  of  Alton,  \Adien 
asked,  gave  his  consent.  H^nce  a subscription  Avas  taken  up;  but 
for  different  reasons,  the  Avork  failed  at  that  time,  and  Avas  stopped 
till  1877.  This  Avas  the  time  Avhen  Father  Schulze  came  as  a resi- 
dent priest  to  Taylorville.  For  about  half  a year  he  Ausited  Sto- 
nington one  Sunday  in  each  month  and  held  mass-service  in  different 
dwelling-houses.  The  people  Avere  again  encouraged  to  take  up  the 
Avork  of  church-building.  Another  subscription  Avas  raised  and 
the  first  steps  taken.  Two  lots  of  ground  Avere  donated  by  Mr. 
Covington,  Avho  AA’as  not  a member  of  the  church.  The  ground 
having  been  deeded  in  the  name  of  the  congregation,  the  building 
of  the  new  church  Avas  commenced  in  the  fall  of  1878.  Mr.  Lukas 
Pfeiffenberger,  of  Alton,  made  the  designs  and  superintended  the 
Avork.  The  latter  Avas  given  by  contract  to  Messrs.  Cottom  & 
CroiuAvell,  two  mechanics  of  Taylorville,  Avho  completed  it  about 
June,  1879.  From  that  time  the  church  has  been  attended  every 
other  Sunday  by  Father  Schulze  from  Taylorville. 

The  present  membership  is  about  forty  families,  almost  all  living 
in  the  country  surrounding  the  little  town.  The  church,  though  a 
frame  building,  is  of  strong  material,  70x40  feet,  and  has  a nice 
and  substantial  appearance. 


THE  CHRISTIAN  CHURCH. 

BY  AV.  F.  RICIIARDSOX.* 

Every  innovation  on  the  established  ideas  and  customs  of  a na- 
tion or  community  must  meet  Avith  much  opposition,  and  succeed, 
if  at  all,  only  by  the  most  determined  and  persistent  efforts. 

Even  truth  itself  is  not  secure  against  the  prejudiees  and  jealous 
mistrust  of  those  Avho  are  Avedded  to  an  error  that  has  become  A'en- 
erable  through  age  and  general  acceptance.  Every  advance  in 
science,  art  or  religion,  has  been  made  in  the  face  of  a host  of  oppo- 
sers  ; some  of  Avhom  Avholly  misconceived  its  character  and  design, 
while  others  fought  it  from  zeal  for  the  traditions  of  the  fathers, 
and  others,  still,  from  a jireference  for  jiopular  error  over  unpojui- 
lar  truth. 

Especially  is  this  true  of  religious  progress.  Any  new  religious 
doctrine,  whether  true  or  false,  is  viewed  Avith  great  jealousy,  and 
attacked  Avith  strong  denunciation,  by  those  who  have  imbibed 
doctrines  sanctioned  by  many  generations  of  pious  ancestors. 
Luther,  Calvin,  and  Wesley,  like  all  other  great  reformers,  had  no 
easy  path  to  tread  in  leading  men  into  the  clearer  light  of  God’s 
holy  truth. 

A modern  example  of  this  prejudice  against  religious  novelty  is 
seen  in  the  history  of  that  religious  body  known  as  the  “ Christian 
Church,”  or  “ I)i.scii)les  of  Christ.” 

Refusing  to  Avear  any  other  name  than  that  applied  by  the  in- 
spired Avriters  of  God  ; recognizing  the  authority  of  the  sacred 
Scriptures  alone,  in  all  matters  of  faith  and  discipline  ; and  pre- 

* E.-ipocisU  tliank.s  are  lUie  from  the  writer  to  Elder  A.  D.  Nortlieutt,  for  valuable 
information  ami  a.‘<si-itanoe  in  the  preparation  of  this  sketch. 


106 


HISTORY  OF  CHRISTIAN  COUNTY,  ILLINOIS. 


scnting  to  the  world  the  novel  plea  of  the  union  of  all  Christians 
upon  “ the  foundation  of  the  apostles  and  prophets,”  by  discarding 
all  huinan  names,  creeds,  and  tests  of  fellowship — thus  restoring 
the  primitive  and  ajjostolic  Christianity ; it  could  not  be  otherwise 
than  that  many,  who  had  been  trained  to  revere  the  creeds  and 
churches  of  their  fathers,  should  strenuously  oppose  a movement 
that  seemed  to  them  a complete  subversion  of  their  cherished  sys- 
tems of  faith  and  worship. 

Hence  it  was,  that  the  first  preachers  of  this  order  met  with  a 
prompt  rejmlse,  or  a cold  welcome,  at  best,  from  many  sincere 
Christian  people,  who  were  only  zealous  for  what  they  considered 
the  true  interests  of  the  kingdom  of  Christ. 

Christian  county  was  no  exception  to  the  general  rule.  Fur 
several  years,  the  preachers  of  the  Christian  Church  were  looked 
upon  by  many  as  perverters  of  the  gospel,  and  disturbers  of  the 
peace  of  Zion  ; and  the  doors  of  churches  and  school-houses  were 
closed  against  them,  and  communities  warned  to  shun  their  deadly 
heresies.  In  some  cases,  the  opposition  assumed  the  shape  of  abuse, 
and  such  appellations  as  “ Campbellites,”  and  even  “water-dogs,” 
were  contemptuously  applied  to  them  by  some  who  thought  that 
calumny  and  ridicule  were  proper  weapons  to  use  in  religious  con- 
troversy. In  the  midst  of  all  this  harsh  treatment,  however,  these 
men  of  God  met  with  much  kindness  at  the  hands  of  very  many 
good  people,  who,  though  they  held  to  a difierent  religious  faith, 
were  yet  too  full  of  the  love  of  God  to  maltreat  any  one,  who  was 
seeking  honestly  to  proclaim  His  holy  word. 

In  short,  the  e.\perience  of  these  men  is  identical  with  that  of  the 
j)ioneers  of  every  religious  faith ; and  the  story  of  the  labors  and 
hardships  of  one,  would  be  equally  true  of  all.  To  work  hard 
from  Monday  until  Saturday  on  the  farm,  and  on  Sunday  to  ride 
on  horse-back  ten  or  twenty  miles,  to  fill  an  appointment  at  some 
school-house  or  log-cabin,  returning  to  the  work  of  the  field  at  day- 
light Monday  morning,  was  an  evei'y  week  affair  with  many  of 
them.  Hard  labor  and  generous  sacrifice  was  then  the  common 
lot  of  all. 

Probably  the  first  preacher  of  the  Christian  Church  to  visit  this 
county  was  W.  Ih  Bowles,  or  “ Wat  ” Bowles,  as  he  was  familiarly 
called,  who.se  home  was  in  Logan  county. 

In  the  summer  of  1842,  he  was  invited  by  Elder  White,  a Bap- 
tist minister,  to  assist  him  in  a meeting  at  a union  meeting-house  on 
INlosquito  creek,  in  the  north-ea.st  corner  of  the  county.  Elder 
Bowles  came,  in  obedience  to  the  invitation,  but  was  denied  the 
jirivilege  of  speaking  in  the  church.  He  thereupon  repaired  to  a 
grove  near  by.  and  preached  to  a large  • congregation  ; and  again  ^ 
the  following  day,  at  the  dwelling  of  A.  D.  Norlhcutt,  at  that  time 
a member  of  the  Baptist  Church.  At  the  close  of  the  second  ser- 
mon, three  j)er.sons  were  immcr.sed,  one  of  whom  was  the  late  James 
Sanders,  well  known  throughout  the  county. 

In  the  fall.  Elder  Bowles  returned  to  that  neighborhood  and  held 
a short  meeting,  which  resulted  in  the  organization  of  a congrega- 
tion of  nine  members,  three  of  whom  are  still  living,  viz.,  G.  T. 
Fletcher  and  wife,  now  of  Decatur,  and  Elder  A.  D.  Northeutt. 
I'rom  this  small  beginidng,  grew,  in  a few  years,  a flourishing  con- 
gregation, which  at  one  time  numbereti  over  200  members. 

'fids  congregation,  known  as  the  .Mos<iuito  Creek  Church,  after 
some  years  gave  up  its  organization,  and  divided  itself  among  the 
surrounding  congregation.s,  of  which  there  were  .several  within  a 
radius  of  a few  miles. 

In  IH4H,  Eldi  r Northeiitt,  then  living  at  Shelhyvillc,  l)Cgan  to 
mak(!  frequent  vi.'it.s  to  'I'aylorville,  where  he  preached  in  the  court- 
hoiise,  and  ocea.-ionally  in  the  school-hou.se,  or  the  M.  E.  Chui'ch. 
'rhe.-<e  visits  were  continued  until  bS.Tl,  when  the  congregation  at 


that  place  was  organized,  and  for  many  years  Elder  N.  continued 
to  preach  to  them  with  considerable  regularity. 

In  the  spring  of  1853,  Elder  Northeutt  moved  to  Prairieton 
township,  where  he  still  resides,  and  for  several  years  was  almost 
incessantly  engaged  in  preaching  the  gospel,  and  organizing  con- 
gregations in  this  and  adjoining  counties. 

Among  others,  churches  wore  established  near  the  present  site  of 
Randallville,  and  at  Bolivar,  a few  miles  west  of  Mt.  Auburn. 
Both  of  these  were  were  finally  absorbed  by  the  Blue  Mound  and 
Mt.  Auburn  congregations. 

Elder  Northeutt  was  likewise  employed  for  one  year  as 
county  Evangelist,  by  a co-operation  of  the  churches  throughout 
the  county.  Indeed,  a history  of  the  Christian  Church,  during  this 
period,  would,  be  little  more  than  a sketch  of  his  labors  and  their 
results.  These  were  verj^  busy  years  with  him,  as  he  was  almost 
alone  in  the  work  of  preaching  the  faith  he  held.  But,  at  last, 
other  laborers  came  to  his  assistance,  and  the  work  grew  in  propor- 
tions under  their  combined  labors. 

In  1856  (?)  elder  A.  C.  McCollum  organized  a congregation  in 
Locust  school-house,  a half  mile  north  of  the  present  site  of  Owaneco; 
and  a few  years  later,  elder  John  W.  Tyler,  of  ISIacon  county, 
established  the  Sanders  church,  in  the  extreme  northern  part  of  the 
county. 

Besides  the  ministers  already  named  in  this  sketch,  elders  John 
F.  England,  John  Wilson,  Thomas  Cully,  William  Yauhooser,  A. 
J.  Kane,  C.  T.  Cole,  E.  C.  Weekly  and  Wm.  M.  Brown,  labored  to 
a greater  or  less  extent  at  different  points;  and  the  following  addi- 
tional congregations  were  organized  : — Liberty,  l\It.  Auburn,  Pane, 
South  Fork,  Edinburg,  Palmer,  Assumption  and  Salem.  Of  these, 
all  except  Palmer  still  retain  their  organizations.  The  church  at 
that  point  built  a good  house  of  worship,  but  lost  it  iu  a few  years 
by  the  foreclosure  of  a mortgage,  and  soon  ceased  to  be. 

The  present  number  of  congregations  of  the  Christian  Church  iu 
this  county  is  ten,  viz: — Assumption,  E linburg,  Liberty,  Mt. 
Auburn,  Owaneco,  Pana,  Salem,  Sanders,  South  Fork  and  Taylor- 
ville. 

The  Owaneco,  Pana  and  Salem  congregations  have  no  houses  of 
worship. 

The  aggregate  membershi])  of  these  churches  is  over  900,  and  the 
value  of  their  church  property  about  $14,000.  The  aggregate  seat- 
ing capacity  of  their  houses  of  worship  is  2400. 

There  are  four  ministers  of  the  Christian  Church  now  living  in  this 
county,  who  are  regularly  em])loyed.in  the  work  of  preaching  the 
gospel.  They  are  A.  I).  Northeutt,  C.  T.  Cole,  S.  B.  Willson  and 
W.  F.  Bichardson. 

The  crying  need  of  the  churches  of  this  order  in  Christian  county 
is  regular  pa^ioral  labor.  For  lack  of  it  many  of  them  are  languish- 
ine:,  and  without  it,  some  of  them  must  soon  die. 

AVith  the  numbers  and  financial  ability  they  possess,  a far  more 
laudable  work  might  be  accomplished  than  has  yet  characterized 
their  history  as  a religious  people. 

ASSf.MUTION  CIIIII.S'I  I.VN  CllUltCII. 

The  history  of  the  Christian  Church  in  Assumption  dates  from 
the  fall  of  1870,  when  elder  J.  IM.  Morgan  held  a meeting  in  the 
Baptist  Church,  and  baptized  .several  persons  These,  with  a few 
who  were  already  members  of  this  order,  in  all  numbering  twenty, 
continued  for  .several  years  to  meet  frequently  on  the  Lord’s  day,  to 
attend  to  the  Ijord’s  Supper,  and  hear  the  preaching  of  the  go.spel 
by  -J.  M.  Morgan  and  A.  D.  Northeutt. 

I II  the  spring  of  1874,  a congregation  was  organized,  numbering 
twenty-five  members,  and,  with  the  view  of  building  a house  of  wor- 


HISTORY  OF  CHRISTIAN  COUNTY,  ILLINOIS. 


107 


ship,  D.  J.  Watsou,  Dr.  S.  INI.  Benepe,  and  J.  J.  Benepe,  were  ap- 
pointed trustees.  Tlii.s  undertaking,  however,  was  not  carried  out 
till  the  following  year. 

In  October,  1875,  their  house  was  begun,  and  was  completed  in 
January,  187(!,  elder  N.  S.  Haynes,  of  Decatur,  dedicating  it  on  the 
second  Lord’s  day  of  that  month.  The  building,  which  is  surrounded 
by  a handsome  grove  of  maples,  is  a substantial  frame,  measuring 
36x54  feet,  the  ceiling  being  18  feet,  and  the  spire  85  feet  in  height. 
It  is  neatly  finished  within,  the  walls  and  ceiling  being  Avhite,  the 
wood-work  grained,  and  the  aisles  and  pulpit  carpeted.  There  is  a 
baptistery  under  the  pulpit,  dressing-rooms  at  the  side,  a large  bell, 
and  a good  cabinet  organ. 

The  entire  cost  of  building  and  grounds,  complete  and  ready  for 
use,  was  $3800.  The  seating  capacity  of  the  building  is  325.  The 
dedication  of  this  church  was  followed  by  an  interesting  revival^ 
which  resulted  in  adding  17  to  the  congregation,  bringing  its  num- 
ber up  to  41.  During  this  meeting,  the  organization  of  the  church 
was  completed  by  the  election  and  ordination  of  W.  P.  Mauzy  and 

D.  J.  ^Yatson  as  elders,  and  William  Abbott,  Dr.  S.  M.  Benepe  and 
John  J.  Benepe  as  deacons.  On  the  30th  of  January  a Sunday- 
school  was  organized,  which  has  increased  in  numbers  and  interest 
till  the  present  time. 

From  this  time  forward,  the  growth  of  the  church  was  rapid  and 
uninterrupted.  O.  Q.  Oviatt  and  J.  O.  Henry  filled  the  pulpit  of 
the  church  during  the  spring  and  summer  of  1876,  and  in  October, 
elder  Geo.  F.  Adams  added  17  members,  in  a protracted  meeting. 

During  the  following  year  (1877),  F.  M.  Guinn  preached  regu- 
larly at  Assumption  for  about  three  months,  and  was  succeeded  by 
elder  A.  D.  Northeutt.  In  October  of  this  year,  the  congregation 
held  a revival  of  30  days,  conducted  by  elder  D.  P.  Henderson,  and 
resulting  in  the  addition  of  13  persons  to  the  church.  During  this 
meeting,  the  official  board  of  the  congregation  was  increased  in 
number,  by  the  addition  of  J.  R.  Milligan  as  elder,  and  L.  T.  Wat- 
kins and  S.  M.  Coonrod  as  deacons.  At  the  same  time  E.  E. 
Cowperthwait  was  ordained  to  the  work  of  the  Christian  ministry. 

Throughout  the  following  year  (1878),  A.  D.  Northeutt  and  E. 

E.  Cowperthwait  preached  regularly  for  the  church,  and  frequent 
additians  were  made  to  its  membership.  During  September  of  this 
year,  the  church  held  its  annual  revival  meeting,  assisted  by  elder 
W.  F.  Richardson,  which  increased  by  13  the  membership  of  the 
congregation. 

In  March,  1879,  W.  F.  Richardson  was  called  to  the  pastoral 
charge  of  this  church,  and  is  now  in  his  second  year’s  labor  in  that 
capacity. 

The  aggregate  membership  of  this  church  since  its  organization  is 
138,  and  its  present  membership  112. 

Its  Sunday-school  numbers  90,  with  four  officers  and  nine 
teachers.  J.  M.  Birce  is  the  efficient  superintendent,  and  A.  G. 
Chilton,  secretary. 

EDINBURG  CHRISTIAN  CHURCH. 

It  was  not  far  from  the  year  1856,  that  the  above-named  congre- 
gation was  organized  by  Elder  A.  D.  Northeutt.  It  numbered  30 
members,  and  chose  as  elders,  B.  F.  Stokes  and  B.  K.  Prater. 

In  1872,  a house  of  worship  was  built,  at  a cost  of  $2,500, 
having  a .seating  capacity  of  400. 

In  April,  1875,  it  was  blown  over  during  a severe  wind  storm, 
but  was  rebuilt  at  once,  at  a cost  of  $1,200. 

Since  its  organization  this  church  has  employed,  in  pastoral  labor, 
A.  C.  McCollum,  E.  C.  Weekly,  J.  Logan,  Samuel  Williams  and 

J.  II.  Matthews;  and,  as  evangelists,  S.  B.  Lindsley, Colston 

and  W.  A.  Mallery. 


For  two  years  past.  Elder  John  L.  Wilson,  of  Macon  county,  has 
preached  for  this  congregation,  with  the  most  satisfactory  results. 

The  present  membership  is  120.  B.  K.  Prater,  S.  D.  Matthew's, 
T.  J.  Prater  and  J.  M.  Chandler  compose  the  eldership  ; and  R.  K. 
Johnson  and  Elisha  Prater  are  deacons. 

LIBERTY  CHRI.STIAN  CHURCH. 

In  the  spring  of  1853,  Elder  A.  D.  Northeutt  settled  in  Prairie- 
ton  township,  and  began  at  once  to  preach  in  the  school-houses 
in  the  vicinity,  and  in  the  dwellings  of  his  neighbors.  The  only 
members  of  the  Christian  Church  in  the  neighborhood  at  that  time 
w’ere  himself  and  wife,  and  Stephen  Workman. 

In  1854,  a congregation  of  nine  members  was  organized  in  a log 
school-house  on  Flat  Branch,  Stephen  Workman  being  chosen  as 
elder,  and  S.  B.  Workman  as  deacon. 

About  1860  a house  of  w’orship  was  built  at  a cost  of  over  $2,000. 
It  is  situated  about  three  miles  south-w'est  of  Moawequa,  near  the 
banks  of  Flat  Branch  creek,  and  surrounded  by  fine  forest  trees. 
The  building,  however,  has  not  been  kept  in  good  repair,  and  now' 
jiresents  a very  dilapidated  appearance. 

There  have  been  upwards  of  400  names  on  the  roll  of  this  con- 
gregation, since  its  organization,  many  of  whom  have  moved  to  the 
western  states  and  territories,  and  helped  to  form  new  churches 
there.  The  Christian  Church  at  Friend ville,  Nebraska,  is  composed 
of  members  from  this  organization. 

The  present  membership  of  Liberty  Church  is  157.  George  Bil- 
yeau  and  A.  B.  Lawrence  are  the  elders,  and  Michael  Workman 
and  William  Robinson,  deacons. 

A.  D.  Northeutt  is  the  only  minister  this  church  has  ever  em- 
ployed, in  regular  pastoral  labor.  He  is  at  2)resent  preaching  there 
one-half  of  his  time. 

Protracted  meetings  have  been  held  there  by  W.  T.  Maupin,  J. 
W.  Houston  and  S.  A,  Willson. 

MT.  AUBURN  CHRISTIAN  CHURCH. 

In  1863,  several  members  of  the  Christian  Church  living  in  and 
around  Mt.  Auburn,  began  meeting  for  worship  occasionally  in 
the  school-house  at  that  point. 

In  1866,  they  succeeded  in  building  a house  of  worship,  at  a cost 
of  $2,200.  It  is  a frame  structure,  36  by  50  feet  in  dimensions. 

In  1869,  the  congregation,  then  numbering  about  forty,  com- 
pleted its  organization  by  the  selection  of  C.  T.  Cole,  Ira  Ellis  and 
Paul  Smith  as  elders  ; and  William  Young  and  James  Evans  as 
deacons. 

For  several  years  following  its  organization,  the  Mt.  Auburn 
church  enjoyed  the  regular  labors  of  Elder  John  W.  Tyler  and  A. 
D.  Northeutt,  with  occasional  visits  from  John  L.  Wilson,  John 
England,  Dr.  John  Hughes,  Dr.  John  Engle,  and  E.  C.  Weekly. 
At  a later  date,  C.  T.  Cole  and  Alfred  Lewis  preached  at  that  point 
for  three  years. 

The  present  officers  of  the  congregation  are  C.  T.  Cole,  elder, 
and  Levi  Sherman  and  James  W.  Stobaugh,  deacons. 

The  nominal  membership  of  the  church  is  150 ; but  as  it  has  not 
met  for  worship  for  nearly  two  years,  unless  a revival  soon  take 
])lace  there,  the  Mt.  Auburn  Christian  Church  will  be  a thing  of 
the  past. 

DANA  CHRISTIAN  CHURCH. 

In  the  year  1869,  elder  J.  O.  Henry,  of  Vandalia,  organized  a 
Christian  Church  of  18  members,  at  a school-house  tw'O  miles  south- 
east of  Pan  a. 

J.  II.  Dawdy  was  chosen  elder;  and  J.  B.  King  and  G.  B.  King, 
deacons. 


108 


II  1ST  OB  Y OF  CIIBISriAN  COUNTY,  ILLINOIS. 


In  1874,  the  place  of  meeting  was  changed  to  Lawrence’s  hall,  in 
Pana;  and  again  in  June,  1878,  to  the  City  Hall,  where  the  church 
still  assembles  for  worship.  The  present  officers  are  : — J H.  Dawdy 
and  Griffith  Evans,  elders;  J.  F.  Miller  and  Richard  Couch, 
deacons;  Charles  Dawdy,  clerk.  The  membership  is  now  47. 

Among  the  Christian  miir’sters  ^\ho  have  preached  at  various 
times  in  Pana,  are  A.  D.  Northcutt,  B.  W.  Henry,  J-  O.  Henry, 

A.  C.  McCollum,  B.  B.  Tyler,  J.  M.  Morgan,  N.  S.  Haynes,  Wil- 
liam Vanhooser,  J.  Carroll  Stark,  and  B.  R.  Gilbert,  who  is  now 
preaching  for  the  church  there  once  a month. 

This  congregaticn  hopes  to  he  able  soon  to  build  a heuse  of  wor- 
ship, Avhich,  if  nealized,  would  very  materially  advance  its  influence 
and  growth  in  the  community. 

SALEM  CHRISTIAN  CHURCH. 

This  congregation  meets  for  worship  in  the  Salem  school-house^ 
four  miles  west  of  Blue  INIound.  It  was  organized  on  the  first  Lord’s 
day  in  June,  1879,  by  elder  C.  T.  Cole.  The  membership,  at  that 
time  numbering  14,  has  now  increased  to  27. 

Ira  Ellis  is  elder  of  the  congregation,  and  Frank  M.  Piper  and 
P.  C.  Ellis,  deacons. 

Elder  Cole  has  preached  regularly  for  this  church  since  its  organi- 
zation. 

SOUTH  FORK  CHRISTIAN  CHURCH. 

This  church,  located  in  the  eastern  part  of  South  Fork  township, 
was  organized  in  September,  1871,  by  elder  A.  C.  ^IcCollum  ; and 
the  following  year  erected  a house  of  worship,  costing  $1500,  and 
having  a seating  capacity  of  300. 

Silas  Matthews,  Lcason  Adams,  and  Quesy  Johnson  were  the  first 
elders  chosen.  Among  others  who  have  preached  for  this  congrega- 
tion, are  A.  C.  McCollum,  A.  I).  Northcutt,  Samuel  Williams,  J. 

B.  Royal,  A.  J.  Kane,  E.  C.  Weekly  and  W.  II.  Mallery. 

This  church  is  at  present,  and  has  been  for  some  time,  without 
preaching;  and  with  150  names  on  the  church  book,  has  an  actual 
membership  of  but  25. 

The  present  elders  arc  Lcason  Adams  and  John  W-  Taff. 

TAYEORVIIJ.E  CTIRI.STIAN  CHURCH. 

In  1853,  elder  A.  D.  Northcutt  held  a two  weeks  meeting  in  the 
Cumberland  Presbyterian  Church  in  Taylorvillc,  and  organized  a 
Christian  Church  of  35  members.  William  Singer,  B.  F.  Maupin 
and  J.  W.  Thomp.son  were  cho.scn  elders;  and  A.  J.  Sparks  and 
Griffin  Evans,  deacons. 

'Phis  congregation  occuj)ic<l  the  C.  P.  Church  a part  of  the  time 
till  the  following  year,  when  a hou.se  of  worship  was  built,  at  a cost 
of  about  $2500.  Tliis  was,  at  that  time,  the  be.st  church  building  in 
the  county. 

So  rai>id  was  the  growth  of  the  church  at  that  time,  that  the  con- 
gregation numbered  150,  shortly  after  the  completion  of  the  house  of 
worsliip.  Had  harmony  and  zeal  characterized  its  efll)rts  at  this 
period,  a very  strong  church  might  have  been  established  in  Taylor- 
ville. 

,\s  it  wa.s,  however,  the  labors  of  many  good  and  true  men  were 
not  enough  to  counteract  the  effect  of  discord  and  carelessness;  and 
at  tlie  end  of  twenty  years,  the  church  was  weaker,  instead  of 
stronger,  than  at  the  beginning. 

Among  those  who  preachetl  for  the  congregation  during  llu'.se 
vears  were  C.  McCollum,  A.  I).  Northcutt,  4'homas  Cully,  John 
L.  Wil.-'on,  J.  W.  Taylor,  William  M.  Brown,  A '1'.  Maupin  and 
William  V anhooser. 

A f(AV  years  ago,  a wolf  in  sheep’s  ehilhing  forwarded  the  wm  k 


of  destruction,  and  the  church  became  thoroughly  disorganized, 
and  the  members  scattered  on  every  hand. 

Matters  remained  thus  till  December  1st,  1878,  when  Elder 
S.  R.  Willson  came  to  Taylorville  to  attempt  a restoration  of  the 
church.  The  task  seemed  hopeless  at  first,  but  after  many  months 
of  hard  labor  there  seemed  a promise  of  success.  On  September 
28th,  1879,  thirty-three  members  of  the  Christian  Church  entered 
into  a covenant,  pledging  themselves  to  more  earnest  and  united 
labor  for  Christ,  and  effected  an  organization  by  the  selection  and 
ordination  of  the  proper  officers.  William  Frampton,  R.  P.  Lang- 
ley and  W.  N.  Long  \vere  chosen  as  elders ; to  whom  was  after- 
wards added  L.  R.  Hendricks. 

A.  S.  Thoma.s,  Morgan  Milligan,  and  Joseph  Torrence  were 
chosen  deacons ; and  Airs  J.  A.  Tyler,  clerk 

Elder  Willson  is  now  on  his  second  year’s  labor  for  the  Taylor- 
ville church,  and  the  growth,  though  slow',  is  very  perceptible. 
The  congregation  now  numbers  forty ; and  though  far  from  strong, 
either  in  numbers  or  wealth,  yet  the  harmony  that  prevails,  and 
zeal  that  characterizes  the  membership,  seem  to  promise  better 
days  for  the  Christian  Church  in  Taylorville. 

The  Sunday  School  in  connection  with  this  church  is  thriving  in 
the  hands  of  a corps  of  efficient  officers  and  earnest  teachers.  It 
numbers  over  one  hundred  scholars.  William  Frampton  is  the 
superintendent,  and  Aliss  Susie  L.  Harner,  secretary. 


ROSEAIOND  CONGREGATIONAL  CHURCH. 

r>Y  REV.  CHAS  T.  DERING. 

Christian  county  has  never  had  but  one  Congregational  Church, 
and  this  is  located  at  Rosemond 

A colony,  mainly  of  Alasfeachusetts  people,  began  a settlement 
on  the  prairies  of  this  township  in  January,  1856.  Almost  without 
exception  they  ivere  people  of  religious  faith  and  habits,  and  it  was 
their  determination  to  establish  Christian  worship  and  ordinances 
as  soon  as  possible. 

The  first  Sunday  the  colony  spent  in  the  settlement  was 
observed  by  divine  services  in  the  only  house  which  was  then  built, 
and  each  Sunday  thereafter  services  were  held,  members  of  the 
colony  taking  turns  in  conducting  them. 

Early  in  the  Spring  of  the  same  year,  the  whole  congregation 
organized  themselves  into  a Sunday  School,  which  held  its  session 
immediately  after  the  usual  morning  service.  Air.  O.  AI.  Hawkes 
was  superintendent.  The  following  summer.  Rev.  Joseph  Gordon, 
of  Alton  Presbytery,  came  to  the  settlement  once  a month  and 
preached,  with  the  exception  of  two  Sundays,  when  services  were 
coiulucted  by  visiting  ministers  ; this  was  all  the  assistance  received 
jrrevious  to  the  organization  of  the  chui'ch. 

The  majority  of  the  colony  had  previously  been  members  of 
Congregational  churches  ; hence  they  preferred  this  form  of  govern- 
ment. 

Septendicr  7th,  1856,  the  chui’ch  was  oi-ganized.  Rev.  A.  T. 
Norton,  of  Alton  Presbytery,  was  the  only  minister  jrresent.  and 
ju-e.-^ided.  Twenty-two  persons  entered  into  covenant  as  follows: 
Debby  A.  Hawley,  from  Congregational  Chui-ch,  Sunderland,  Ma.«.s. 
Brainard  Smith,  “ “ “ “ 

Airs.  Nancy  O.  Smith,  “ “ “ “ 

Kupes  Russel,  “ “ “ “ 

Edwai’d  S.  Hill,  from  13th  Street  Presbyterian  Church,  N Y.  City. 
AI  IS.  Catharine  AI.  Hill,  “ “ “ “ “ 

Orlando  AI.  Hawkes,  from  Congregation’!  Church,  Charlemont,  Ala.'^s. 
Mrs  Debby  A.  Hawke.s, 


HISTORY  OF  CHRISTIAN  COUNTY,  ILLINOIS. 


109 


John  Putnam,  from  Congregational  Church,  Hinsdale,  Mass. 

Mr.s.  Flora  Putnam, 

Ophelia  M.  Putnam,  “ “ “ ‘ 

Silas  S.  Clapp,  from  Presbyterian  Church,  Canal  Dover,  Ohio. 

Mrs.  Lucy  A.  Clapp,  “ “ “ “ 

Timothy  L.  Bacon,  “ “ “ “ 

Mrs.  Catharine  Bacon,  ‘‘  “ “ “ 

Abram  Groesbeck,  from  Congregat’l  Church  Grand  Rapids,  INIich. 
INIrs.  Orinda  Groesbeck,  “ “ “ “ 

Benjamin  R.  Hawley,  from  1st  Presbyterian  Church,  St.  Louis,  Mo. 
Mrs.  H.  R.  Hawley, 

Mrs.  Menuda  K.  Marvin,  “ “ “ “ “ 

John  E.  Guild  on  profession. 

Emma  L.  Mason,  “ 

Soon  after  the  organization,  INIr.  and  ]\Irs.  Benjamin  E.  'NVarncr 
were  received  to  membership  by  letters  from  the  Congregational 
Church  of  Hinsdale,  IMass. 

0.  M.  Hawkes  and  Brainard  Smith  were  chosen  deacons,  and 
Edward  S.  Hill,  clerk. 

In  October  of  the  same  year  the  church  connected  itself  rvith  the 
Morgan  Conference  of  Congregational  Churches,  which  has  since 
become  the  Southern  Congregational  Association  of  Illinois. 

The  church  has  always  held  to  the  faith  and  principles  of  the 
Pilgrims,  who  landed  from  the  Mayflower  in  Dec  1G20,  and  estab- 
lished the  first  Congregational  church  in  America. 

The  church  is  governed  by  the  following 

PRINCIPLES  OF  POLITY. 

1.  All  principles  of  Corgregatioual  polity  are  derived  from  the 
New  Testament. 

2.  A church  is  a coinjiany  of  Christians  associated  for  communion 
in  the  gospel  ordinances  and  for  the  promotion  of  the  Christian 
faith,  having  no  superior  but  Christ. 

3.  The  Church  of  Christ  has  but  one  spiritual  order  of  persons. 

4.  The  officers  of  a church  are  bishops  (called  also  pastors)  and 
deacons. 

5.  Congregational  churches  entrust  no  ecclesiastical  power  to 
their  officers. 

0.  A church  has  power, — 

(1.)  To  choose  its  own  officers. 

(2.)  To  admit  or  exclude  its  own  members. 

(3.)  To  adopt  its  own  creed. 

(4.)  To  arrange  the  details  of  its  own  worship. 

(5.)  To  choose  its  own  methods  of  religious  and  benevolent 
work. 

7.  Churches  may  unite  in  associations  or  conferences  for  j3urposos 
of  mutual  assistance  and  edification  ; but  all  decisions  of  ecclesias- 
tical bodies  have  only  a moral  power  over  the  churches. 

In  February,  1857,  the  church  called  for  its  first  minister.  Rev. 
William  C.  Merritt,  who  labored  here  until  February,  1861  ; he 
continued  to  live  in  Rosemond  until  1866,  when  he  removed  to 
Dallas  City,  Illinois.  In  1870,  he  removed  to  California,  where 
he  has  since  resided.  Under  his  ministry  the  church  grew  rapidly, 
and  44  members  were  added. 

IVIr.  Merritt  was  born  at  St.  Clairville,  Ohio,  November  14th, 
1814.  Graduated  at  Illinois  College  in  1842,  and  at  the  same  Theo- 
logical Seminary  in  1845  ; was  ordained  by  the  Illinois  (now  Quin- 
cy) Association  at  Mendon,  in  May,  1846.  He  married  Mary  L. 
Carter,  a native  of  Connecticut.  They  have  four  children  living. 

The  second  minister  of  the  church  was  Rev.  Timothy  Hill,  a 
brother  of  Edward  S.  Hill,  one  of  the  original  members;  he  labored 
here  nearly  three  years.  Under  his  niinistrv  quite  an  extensive  re- 


vival occurred,  in  consequence  of  which  the  church  received  about 
30  members.  Mr.  Hill  was  the  son  of  Rev.  Ebenezer  and  Abigail 
(Jones)  Hill,  and  was  born  in  Mason,  N.  H.,  June  30th,  1819.  His 
father  was  the  pastor  of  the  Congregational  ChurcTi  at  Mason  for 
64  years.  He  graduated  at  Dartmouth  College  in  1842,  and  at 
Union  Theological  Seminary  in  1845  ; was  licensed  by  the  Third 
Pre.sbytery  of  New  York  in  April,  1845,  and  ordained  by  the 
Presbytery  of  St.  Louis,  October  22d,  1846  ; was  supply  pastor  of 
Presbyterian  Church,  St.  Charles,  Mo.,  1846-1851  ; Fairmount 
Presbyterian  Church,  St.  Louis,  Mo.,  1852-1 860  ; Congregational 
Church,  Rosemond,  February,  1861,  to  October,  1863  ; Shelbyville, 
Illinois,  Presbyterian  Church,  October,  1863,  to  July,  1865  ; Second 
Presbyterian  Church,  Kansas  City,  Mo.,  1865-1868  ; District  Sec- 
retary Pres.  Board  of  Home  Missions  from  October,  1865,  to 
the  present  time.  Received  title  of  D.D.  from  Highland  Univer- 
sity in  1873.  Married  November  2d,  1854,  Frances  Augusta  Hall, 
and  has  two  children  living. 

The  third  minister  was  Rev.  Edward  B.  Tuthill,  who  remained 
but  one  year,  viz.,  from  April,  1864,  to  April,  1865,  during  which 
time  the  church  received  six  members.  The  church  was  then  a 
year  without  a minister;  but  regular  services  were  sustained,  and 
eleven  members  added.  After  leaving  Rosemond,  Mr.  Tuthill  was 
supply  pastor  of  the  Congregational  Church  at  Concord,  Illinois, 
eleven  years,  and  has  since  leaving  there  labored  in  Colorado  and 
Ca'ifornia. 

The  fourth  minister  was  Rev.  Alfred  A.  Whitmore,  who  also  re- 
mained but  one  year,  beginning  June  1st,  1866.  In  that  year  five 
members  were  added,  and  the  church  building  was  erected  at  a cost 
of  $3,200.  The  congregation  had  worshiped  for  some  years  in  the 
schoohhouse,  but  owing  to  some  difficulty  created  by  members  of 
another  denomination,  the  directors  refused  to  allow  this  house  to 
be  used  any  longer  for  religious  services. 

]\Ir.  Whitmore  was  born  near  Geneva,  N.  Y.,  July  7th,  1817 ; grad- 
uated at  Oberlin  in  1846 ; labored  one  and  a half  years  as  an  evangel- 
ist ; wassupply  pastor  of  Congregational  Church,  Ashburnham,  Mass., 
1848-1853;  labored  in  Ohio,  1853—1864;  was  supply  pastor  of 
Congregational  Church,  Henry,  IMarshall  county.  Ills.,  1864-1866, 
and  of  Rosemond  Congregational  Church,  1866-7.  Since  leaving 
Rosemond  he  has  labored  in  northern  Illinois  and  Iowa.  He 
married  September  17th,  1849,  INIartha  P.  Fletcher,  of  Enoshurgh, 
Vermont,  and  has  six  children  living. 

The  fifth  minister  was  Rev.  John  R.  Barnes,  who  remained  a 
little  more  than  two  years.  The  most  extensive  revival  the  church 
has  known  occurred  under  his  ministry,  and  forty-three  members 
were  added  to  the  church. 

Mr.  Barnes  was  born  in  Southington,  Ohio,  December  15th, 
1829;  graduated  at  Oberlin  College  in  1861;  was  approbated  for 
the  ministry  by  Plymouth  Rock  Association  at  Hampden,  Ohio,  in 
1862;  preached  a few  months  for  the  churches  of  Hartford  and 
Fowler,  Ohio,  and  then  entered  Andover  Theological  Seminary  ; 
graduated  there  in  1865  ; ordained  at  Plainfield,  Connecticut,  Oct. 
5th,  1865,  and  preached  there  until  the  spring  of  1867  ; \vas  supply 
pastor  at  Rosemond,  June,  1867,  to  September,  1869;  at  Collinsville, 
Illinois,  Presbyterian  Church,  September,  1869,  to  April,  1874;  at 
Earlville,  Illinois,  Congregational  Church,  November,  1874,  to 
November,  1876;  at  Eldora,  Iowa,  Congregational  Church,  Novem- 
ber, 1876,  to  November,  1878;  since  February,  1879,1ms  been  sup- 
ply pastor  at  Fayette  Congregational  Church,  Iowa. 

The  sixth  and  present  minister  of  the  church  is  Chas.  T.  Dering. 
He  was  born  on  Long  Island,  N.  Y.,  January  21st,  1842 ; graduated  at 
Hamilton  College,  1864,  and  at  Andover  Seminary,  1868;  began 
labor  here  December,  1869,  and  was  ordained  pastor  of  the  church. 


110 


HISTORY  OF  CHRISTIAN  COUNTY,  ILLINOIS. 


March  9th,  1870.  During  his  ministry  the  churcli  has  received 
fifty -one  members.  He  married,  October  26th,  1876,  Mary  J., 
daughter  of  William  Bailey,  of  Rosemond. 

The  oldest  member  at  the  organization  of  the  church  was  Mrs. 
Debby  Amelia  Hawley,  widow  of  Rev.  Win.  A.  Hawley,  of  Hins- 
dale, Mass.  Her  brother,  Mr.  B.  E.  Warner,  ami  all  her  living 
children  except  one,  were  members  of  the  Rosemond  colony.  She 
was  the  mother  of  Benj.  R.  Hawley,  Mrs.  John  Putnam,  Mrs.  Brai- 
nard  Smith,  IMrs.  O.  M.  Hawkes,  and  l\Irs.  John  L.  Marvin.  All 
these  were  among  the  original  members  of  the  church.  She  died 
April  8th,  1858,  aged  69. 


THE  GERMAX  EVANGELICAL  ST.  JOHN’S  CHURCH 
AT  PANA,  ILLS. 

BY  REV.  FRED.  RFEIFFER. 

Rev.  Matthias  Galster,  a pioneer  of  the  German  Evangelical 
Synod  of  N.  A.,  located  at  Pana,  after  having  worked  for  many 
years  in  Ohio  and  Indiana,  and  organized  a congregation  ten  miles 
north-east  of  this  city,  and  began  to  preach  in  August,  1864.  In 
September  he  organized  a congregation  under  the  name  of  German 
Evangelical  Lutheran.  Its  first  members  were  L.  Schlierbach, 
Nichol  Neu,  Michael  Neu,  Christian  Neu,  Peter  Neu,  L.  Paul,  and 
A.  Botschner.  Its  first  stewards  were  L.  Schlierhach  and  Nichol 
Neu.  The  services  were  held  partly  in  the  first  M.  E.  Church, 
Avhile  on  its  old  site,  and  partly  in  the  old  city  school  building, 
called  the  Lawrence  School.  In  order  to  have  a house  of  worship 
of  their  own,  they  passed  in  a meeting  in  Dccendmr,  1865,  a resolu- 
tion to  build  a frame  church,  40x25,  which  resolution  was  without 
delay  executed  at  a cost  of  $.3000. 

In  another  meeting,  the  members  then  united,  changed  the  name 
“ Evangelical  Lutheran  ” into  simply  “German  Evangelical,”  with 
the  additional  “ St.  John’s,”  so  that  it  now  bears  the  name  “ German 
“ Evangelical  St.  John’s  Church.”  As  the  founder  of  the  church. 
Rev.  Galster,  lived  too  great  a distance  from  the  town,  the  con- 
gregation thought  it  to  their  best  interest  to  have  a minister  of  the 


gospel  residing  in  thieir  midst,  and,  according  to  the  advice  of  brother 
Galster,  tendered  a call  to  Rev.  J.  Gubler,  then  at  St.  Charles, 
Mo.  He  accepted  and  entered  his  field  in  this  city  in  July,  1870. 
As  the  congregation  had  no  parsonage  then,  the  preacher  had  to 
rent  for  one  year,  at  the  expiration  of  which  they  bought  the  very 
same  building  with  lot  for  $475. 

Rev.  Gubler  connected  with  his  charge  at  Pana  a new  field  eight 
miles  west  of  Taylorville,  so  that  in  Pana  he  preached  but  every 
other  Sabbath.  For  three  years  he  taught  a parochial  school. 
As  a great  desire  was  manifested  by  the  Americans  to  learn  the 
German  language,  the  German  school  was  then  attached  to  our  de- 
partment of  public  schools,  and  is  conducted  as  such  to  this  date. 
A Sabbath  School  was  started  in  the  beginning  of  the  congregation, 
but  has  been  more  successfully  carried  on  since  a preacher  located 
in  Pana. 

In  1875,  Rev.  Gubler  resigned  and  went  to  Inglefield,  Ind. 
The  writer  of  this  sketch  is  his  successor.  Before  entering  his 
new  field,  the  congregation*  built  a school-room  to  the  west  end 
of  the  church  for  the  sum  of  $250,  so  that  Rev.  Pfeiffer  found  for 
his  work  a neat  little  school-house,  which  proved  to  be  too  small 
through  all  this  time  of  his  teaching.  As  the  preacher’s  family  suf- 
fei’ed  from  chills  and  fever  owing  to  the  location  of  the  parsonage, 
the  congregation  agreed  to  sell  it  and  build  a new  one  in  a healthier 
location.  This  resolution  was  carried  out  in  1877  ; the  old  parsonage 
sold  for  $625  ; a lot  on  the  west  slope  of  the  east  ridge  was  bought, 
and  a two-story  frame  house  erected  thereon  for  the  sum  of  $1215, 
of  which  the  last  part  was  paid  this  spring,  so  that  the  property  of 
the  congregation  is  free  of  debt.  When  the  old  Presbyterian  church 
was  taken  down,  the  congregation  obtained  the  bell  of  that  church  ; 
also  a few  years  before  a good  and  beautiful  organ  from  Prince  & 
Co.,  of  Buffalo.  The  congregation  has  now  forty  members ; has 
service  every  Sabbath  morning,  and  every  other  Sabbath  evening. 
The  Sabbath  School  numbers  from  forty  to  fifty  scholars,  superin- 
tended by  L.  Schlierbach.  From  this  congregation  have  S])rang 
one  west  of  Taylorville,  and  one  seven  miles  south  of  Pana, 
at  Oconee,  Shelby  Co.,  Ills.  Among  its  first  members  who  still 
belong  to  the  church  arc  L.  Schlierbach  and  L.  Paul. 


IIl>SrORY  OF  CHRISTIAN  COUNTY,  ILLINOIS. 


Ill 


THE  DISASTROUS  STORM  OF  1880. 


lEXTBACTS  FROM  THE  " MORRISOHVtLLE  TIMES.") 


Saturday,  April  24th,  18S0,  will  long  be  remembered  by  the  resi- 
dents of  Christian  county  as  an  epoch  in  its  history,  fraught  with 
desolation,  ruin  and  death 

On  Sunday  morning  vague  rumors  were  afloat,  as  to  the  awful 
calamity  caused  by  the  dread  cyclone’s  resistless  inarch.  The  storm 
seems  to  have  gathered  in  the  south-west,  and  traveled  almost  a 
north-eastwardly  direction,  with  but  little  deviation  from  a direct 
line  from  whence  it  came,  until  eleven  miles  of  a beautiful  farming 
country  had  been  utterly  stripped  of  buildings,  fruit  trees,  fences, 
etc.,  the  accumulation  of  years  of  toil  of  many  a sturdy  tiller  of  the 
soil,  leaving  in  its  track  three  dead  and  many  wounded,  several 
of  whom  will  probably  die ; besides  stock  of  every  description, 
strewn  about,  and  mangled  in  every  conceivable  manner. 

The  first  place  in  the  track  of  the  storm  was  the  home  of  Mr. 
Thomas  Smith,  H miles  from  this  place.  Mr.  Smith,  in  his  delinea- 
tion, represented  the  storm  as  seen  by  himself,  as  gathering  in  mid 
air  preparatory  to  the  fell  onslaught,  and  remaining  stationary  for 
a few  seconds,  then  with  a rush  beyond  comjiarison,  swooped 
down,  lifting  the  house  clear  of  the  foundation  and  partially  turn- 
ing it  about,  dropped  it  some  twenty-five  feet  away,  overturning  the 
kitchen  stove  and  a dish  safe,  the  latter  falling  upon  his  little  boy 
of  three  years,  fortunately  doing  him  no  harm.  The  outside  of  the 
house  presents  the  appearance  of  having  withstood  a siege  from  a 
battering  ram,  the  shingles  being  torn  ott'  in  many  places,  while  a 
great  hole  in  the  side  of  the  house,  shows  plainly  that  a missile  of 
some  weijtht  found  a lodgment  there. 

Next  in  turn  came  the  home  of  S.  Vi.  Hawkins,  on  the  farm  of 
Andrew  Simpson,  of  Taylorville,  and  full  two  miles  from  Mr.  Smith’s 
and  four  miles  north-west  of  Clarksdale ; the  intervening  property 
seeming  to  have  escaped  with  very  little,  if  any  damage.  The  build- 
ings on  the  Simpson  farm,  were  a farm-house  one  and  a half  stories 
in  height,  an  old  house  used  for  storage,  a smoke-house  and  barn,  of 
which  hardly  a vestige  remains.  A son  of  Mr.  Hawkins,  in  reply 
to  your  correspondent  said  : That  on  the  approach  of  the  storm  the 
whole  family  gathered  in  a room  in  the  south-east  corner  of  the 
hou.se,  and  that  at  the  first  burst  of  the  cyclone  it  wrenched  the 
door  open,  and  being  shut  in  the  interval  of  a momentary  lull,  was 
kept  shut  during  the  rest  of  the  gale.  Just  here  it  may  be  well  to 
state  that  every  one  in  speaking  of  the  gale,  agree  in  the  one  state- 
ment, that  there  were  but  two  blasts,  and  that  the  second  one  did 
the  damage — the  second  tore  the  house  from  its  accustomed  resting 
])lace,  tearing  aw’ay  the  top  story  ; and  bursting  out  the  north  side, 
leaving  the  wrecked  hull  thirty  or  thirty-five  feet  from  the  founda- 
tion blocks.  On  the  upper  floor  were  three  bods  and  a lot  of  canned 


fi'uit,  of  which  not  a particle  can  be  found  ; the  stable  is  a mass  of 
ruins.  The  old  house  and  smoke-house  are  utterly  obliterated  ; one 
new  wagon  and  sleigh  were  broken  to  pieces ; one  wheel  and  a part 
of  an  axle  of  the  w'agon  were  found  across  a hedge  one  hundred 
yards  awmy.  A colt  standing  in  the  stable  remained  unhurt  through 
the  demolishing  of  the  structure.  The  poultry  belonging  to  the 
farm  were  either  killed  or  scattered,  as  none  can  be  found.  Luckily 
the  orchard  escaped  without  serious  damage.  The  family  w'ere  for- 
tunate in  passing  through  the  wdiole  disaster  without  a scratch,  but 
how,  no  one  can  imagine.  Surely  a higher  power  than  that  of  the 
storm  king’s  kept  watch  there. 

From  the  Simpson  farm  to  the  home  of  the  widow’  Carlton  two 
and  one  quarter  miles  away,  the  cyclone  seems  to  have  raised  and 
passed  harmlessly  over,  there  dropping  low  enough  to  catch  up  the 
house,  unroofing  it,  and  like  the  two  dw’ellings  before  spoken  of, 
left  the  remains  several  feet  from  its  former  resting-place.  Mrs. 
Carlton  was  alone  and  sick  at  the  time,  but  in  some  manner  escaped 
unhurt. 

At  Mr.  Edward  Leigh’s,  the  gale  struck  with  terrific  violence, 
sweeping  everything  before  it;  dealing  out  pain  and  death,  devasta- 
tion and  its  manifold  accessories  more  cruel  in  its  mighty  wrath 
than  the  vaunted  fire  fiend  or  mighty  waters  of  the  vast  deep.  Mr. 
Leigh  and  family  (eleven)  sought  safety  in  the  cellar,  to  which,  no 
doubt,  they  owe  their  happy  escape  from  death.  The  house,  a 
handsome  tw’o  story  frame  building,  erected  last  fall,  at  a cost  of 
three  thousand  dollars,  was  swept  away  with  as  little  ceremony  as 
one  would  toss  an  objectionable  bit  of  board  from  the  side-walk  ; 
and  as  a spectator  said,  grinding  it  into  fragments  while  suspended 
in  the  air.  The  family  are  all  uninjured  (exce])!  Lizzie,  aged  twelve 
years,  who  was  slightly  bruisedj.  His  total  loss  will  probably 
amount  to  $5,000. 

Next  in  the  track  of  the  storm  came  the  residence  of  Mr.  John 
Gessner,  who,  with  his  family — like  Leigh — took  refuge  in  the 
cellar — all  escaped  unhurt.  jMr.  Gessner’s  house  and  barn  was 
utterly  demolished,  and  one  horse  and  one  cow  killed,  three  horses 
injured,  besides  losing  furniture,  clothing,  etc.,  entire. 

Thos.  J.  Langley’s  house  stood  about  two  hundred  yards  cast  of 
John  Gessner’s.  Here  the  cyclone,  terrible  in  its  frenzy,  snatched 
up  a human  being  and  dashed  it  down  to  death.  ]\Ir.  Langley’s 
family  consisted  of  himself,  wife  and  two  children — boys.  Mrs. 

Langley  was  instantly  killed  ; the  body,  as  found  after  the  storm 
had  abated,  presented  the  appearance  of  having  been  struck  with 
some  projectile,  tearing  a great  hole  in  the  side  of  the  body — un- 
doubtedly the  death  wound.  Mr.  Langley  is  horribly  bruised  and 


112 


HISTORY  OF  CHRISTIAN  COUNTY,  ILLINOIS. 


cut,  but  Avith  the  cliaiices  in  favor  of  his  recovery.  One  hoy  of 
eleven  years  was  cut  about  the  face  and  arm.  Mr.  Brents— a 
visitor  at  the  Langley  home  at  the  time  of  the  disaster — escaped 
with  a scalp  Avound  of  three  inches  in  length,  and  a few  bruises. 

Mr.  A.  Elliott  suffered  to  the  extent  of  having  several  ribs  broken, 
also  the  bridge  of  his  nose.  Mrs.  Elliott,  Avho  Avith  a mother’s  devotion, 
sought  to  shield  her  offspring  from  harm,  regardless  of  the  peril 
menacing  herself,  clasped  a child  under  each  arm,  Avith  another  in 
lier  lap,  aAvaited  the  onset.  Mrs.  Elliott  Avas  severely  wounded, 
Avhile  the  children  came  out  unhurt.  The  house  is  a total  ruin. 

Of  Bynaldo  Carlton’s  house,  not  a piece  remains.  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Carlton  attempted  to  hold  the  door,  but  without  success.  They  then 
ran  out  and  Avere  only  slightly  injured. 

■\VilloAV  Ford  bridge,  across  the  South  Fork  of  the  Sangamon 
river,  and  four  miles  south-Avest  of  Taylorville,  Avas  next  caught  up 
and  hurled  to  destruction  ; pieces  of  the  timbers  being  found  on  the 
bluffs  a mile  aAvay.  On  the  Ave’st  side  of  the  bridge  the  tornado  had 
SAvept  through  the  timber,  laying  in  Avaste  eA^erything  in  the  road 
of  its  merciless  march.  One  curious  feature  of  the  storm  Avas  here 
manifest.  Huge  trees  that  had  been  standing  side  by  side  ; the  one 
Avould  be  found  Avith  the  top  directly  in  the  teeth  of  the  storm, 
Avhile  its  mate  Avas  prostrate  in  the  opposite  direction.  At  the 
bridge,  the  track  of  the  cyclone,  as  shown  by  the  devastation,  could 
not  have  been  more  than  a hundred  yards  in  Avidth. 

James  J.  Williams  and  Avife  saAV  the  storm  approaching 
and  took  refuge  in  a cave.  Although  the  door  Avas  blown 
doAvn,  and  death  seemed  inevitable,  they  escaped  unhurt.  No- 
thing Avas  left  of  the  house  but  the  parts  on  Avhich  it  stood.  The 
furniture,  bedding  and  clothing  Avere  bloAvn  aAvay— not  a vestige 
remaining.  A horse  and  mule  Avere  killed,  and  ten  head  of  cattle 
are  missing.  A ucav  Avagon  that  he  had  only  taken  home  on  Satur- 
dav,  Avas  torn  to  pieces,  and  one  of  the  tires  Avas  found  several 
hundred  yards  aAvay,  Avound  around  a log.  A quarter  of  a mile 
beyond  his  place  Avas  another  house,  owned  by  him  and  occupied  by 
A.  J.  Cutler.  As  the  storm  approached,  INIr.  Cutler,  aa’Iio  Avas  at 
Williams’  house,  attempted  to  reach  home,  but  Avas  OA'ertaken  by 
the  hurricane,  and  compelled  to  run  the  gauntlet  of  dying  rail.^s, 
boards  and  tind>er.  Hoav  he  escaped  a violent  death,  is  indeed  a 
Avonder,  as  his  clothing  Avas  literally  torn  from  his  body.  When 
nearing  his  home,  the  tornado  lifted  the  house  from  the  ground  and 
he  .“aAV  the  form  of  his  little  daughter  carried  aAvay,  high  above  the 
tree-tops  ; the  body  Avas  found  the  next  morning  quite  a distance 
from  the  house,  in  a brush  pile  Avith  the  upper  part  of  the  head 
gone  — the  skull  crushed.  Ills  little  .son  Avas  found  a short  distance 
from  the  house,  horribly  mutilated  and  dead. 

l'’rank  Peters  occu]>ied  a house  near  the  Cutler  family.  On  the 
approach  of  the  storm  the  family  took  refuge  in  a log  stable;  turn- 


ing the  horses  out,  they  placed  the  children  in  the  manger  and  tried 
to  hold  the  door  shut,  but  AA'ithout  avail.  The  structure  Avas  almost 
entirely  destroyed ; happily  the  AA’hole  family  escaped  Avith  but  a 
feAV  slight  bruises.  The  house  so  lately  deserted,  Avas  so  completely 
demolished  that  hardly  a log  or  piece  remains.  The  horses  trotted 
off  to  the  Avest  of  the  track  of  the  storm  and  came  through  unhurt. 

John  Hayes,  a tenant  on  the  farm  of  Mr.  Valentine,  narrowly 
escaped.  The  house  Avas  lifted  from  over  the  heads  of  himself  and 
family,  leaving  them  on  the  floor — none  Avere  seriously  injured, 
except  Mr.  Hays,  Avho  received  a fracture  of  the  skull.  One  horse, 
a dog,  several  hogs  and  some  poultry  Avere  killed.  The  roof  Avas 
taken  ofl’  the  house  of  Win.  Welsh,  Avho  lives  close  by  the  Hays 
family.  Here  the  tornado  left  the  timber  and  shot  across  the  prairie, 
tearing  up  hedges,  fences,  and  laying  Avaste  everything  in  its  course 
— hogs,  cattle  and  live  stock  of  every  kind  AA'ere  horribly  mangled 
and  killed.  The  barn  of  E.  A.  Miller  Avas  utterly  demolished,  and 
a large  amount  of  stock  killed  or  crippled,  so  as  to  render  them 
Avorthless.  A house  OAvned  by  INIr.  Miller  and  occupied  by  AndrcAV 
Olliver  Avas  bloAvu  doAvn,  the  family  remaining  unhurt.  Mr.  and 
Mrs  Geo.  Higgins  Avere  found  a fcAV  hours  after  the  storm  had  sub- 
sided, a quarter  of  a mile  aAvay  from  Avhere  the  house  had  stood  ; 
locked  in  each  other’s  arms,  covered  Avith  mud,  insensible,  bleeding 
and  horribly  mutilated.  Janies  Watts  and  Avife  lost  their  home, 
household  goods  and  a great  deal  of  stock.  They  are  both  seriously 
injured.  Not  yet  satisfied  Avith  the  destruction  already  Avroughq 
the  hurricane  SAvept  on,  next  striking  and  demolishing  the  house  of 
Mrs.  Holfner.  She,  Avith  five  children,  Avere  caught  in  the  falling 
building,  injuring  Mrs.  Holfner  and  tivo  children  so  badly  that 
their  recovery  is  des2iaired  of.  Frank  Harkett’s  house  next  came 
in  route — one  end  Avas  bloAvn  out  and  the  roof  lifted  off,  leaving  the 
occupants  uninjured.  Jonas  Kimmerer’s  barn  Avent  next,  together 
Avith  several  buildings  and  sheds  adjoining ; all  the  stock  on  the 
place  Avas  either  killed  or  maimed  so  as  to  render  them  utterly  value- 
less. The  Perkins’  school-house  is  a com|ilete  Avreck;  nothing 
remains  to  shoAV  Avhere  it  once  stood. 

The  last  stroke  of  the  terrible  cyclone  fell  on  the  40x110  feet  barn 
and  elegant  buildings  and  sheds,  on  the  fine  stock  farm  of  J.  J Per- 
kins, literally  demolishing  the  Avhole,  and  SAveeping  them  UAvay  Avith 
such  velocity  as  to  not  leave  a trace  behind.  INIost  of  the  stock 
having  been  sold  during  the  day,  the  loss  in  the  killed  and  injured 
Avill  not  fall  heavily  on  Mr.  Perkins. 

Here  the  reign  of  the  storm  fiend  seems  to  have  ended  after 
having  run  his  mad  race,  and  laid  in  Avaste  miles  of  the  most  pros- 
perous part  of  Christian  county  ; and  it  is  Avith  thankfulness  that 
Ave  lay  doAvn  the  recording  jien — glad  to  knoAv  that  here  ends  the 
most  disastrous  chapter  in  the  history  of  old  Christian,  but  Avith 
sad  memories  of  the  scenes  ofsufiering,  devastation,  Avoe  and  death. 


TOWNSHIP  AND  CITY  OF  TAYLORVILLE. 


"iHE  early  history  of  what  is  now  known  as  Taylorville 
townshi2>  dates  as  far  back  as  1818 — twenty-one  years 
before  the  county  of  Christian  was  organized,  and  to  the 
year  when  the  great  State  of  Illinois  was  admitted  into 
the  sisterhood  of  states.  The  hardy  pioneer  and  hunter,  the  ad- 
vanced couriers  of  civilization  in  the  west  at  that  early  day  had 
penetrated  its  forests  and  plains  where  before  alone  had  trod  the 
stealthy  Indian  in  search  of  the  noble  bison,  and  smaller  game  that 
roamed  at  will  over  the  broad  prairies.  These  pioneers  were  a 
hardy  race;  they  were  possessed  of  untiring  energy,  dauntless  cour- 
age, and  physical  constitutions  that  could  withstand  the  hardships 
and  privations  incident  to  a pioneer  life.  It  was  their  task  to  clear 
the  forest,  push  back  the  red  man  and  blaze  the  way  for  the  in- 
coming tide  of  immigration  and  civilization  that  was  pouring  in  with 
resistless  force  from  the  old  world  into  the  new,  and  from  the  east 
to  the  great  west.  How  well  and  nobly  they  performed  their  task 
is  well  known  and  written  in  the  history  of  every  state  in  the  west. 

The  township  of  Taylorville  includes  in  its  boundaries  all  of 
Town  13,  Range  2,  save  about  half  of  section  31  and  a small  por- 
tion of  section  30,  and  sections  1,  2 and  12,  and  of  sections  3,  11, 
13,  14,  24  and  25  in  Town  13,  Range  3.  The  township  is  bounded 
on  the  north  by  Buckhart,  and  on  the  east  by  May,  on  the  south  by 
Johnson  and  on  the  west  by  South  Fork.  The  township  is  watered 
and  drained  by  the  South  Fork  of  the  Sangamon  river,  and  Flat 
Branch.  The  former  enters  the  township  on  the  south  side  of 
section  36,  Town  13,  Range  2,  and  flows  in  a northerly  direction 
to  the  south-west  quarter  of  section  25,  from  whence  it  flows  in  a 
south-westerly  direction,  and  out  of  the  township  in  section  34.  It 
again  enters  the  township  in  section  31  and  flows  in  a north-westerly 
direction,  forming  the  western  boundary  of  the  township.  It  makes 
its  exit  from  the  township  in  section  3,  Town  13,  Range  3.  Flat 
Branch  enters  the  township  in  section  24,  Town  13,  Range  2.  It 
flows  in  a south-westerly  direction  and  empties  into  the  South  Fork 
of  the  Sangamon  in  the  south-west  part  of  section  25.  The  town- 
ship is  well  timbered  with  all  kinds  of  wood  indigenous  to  this 
climate  and  section  of  the  country.  The  soil  is  exceedingly  fertile 
and  sufficiently  undulating  to  carry  off  the  excess  of  rainfall.  The 
Decatur  and  St.  Louis  railroad,  now  under  the  control  of  the  Wa- 
bash, St.  Louis  and  Pacific  Company,  and  the  Ohio  and  Mississippi 
railroads,  offers  abundant  facilities  for  conveying  the  surplus  pro- 
ducts of  the  soil  and  creating  good  markets  for  the  farmers  and 
merchants. 

EARLY  SETTLERS. 

In  writing  the  early  history  of  a county  and  its  townships,  reca- 
pitulation to  some  extent  becomes  unavoidable,  and  in  order  to 
avoid  it  as  much  as  possible,  we  must  refer  our  readei’s  to  the 
general  history  of  the  early  settlements  to  be  found  in  another 
chapter  of  this  book- 
15 


From  the  best  information  possible  to  be  obtained,  the  honor  of 
being  the  first  settler  in  what  is  now  known  as  Taylorville  Town- 
ship belongs  to  John  S.  Sinnet.  He  located  and  built  a cabin  on  a 
portion  of  land  now  embraced  in  the  south-east  part  of  Taylorville, 
not  far  from  where  the  fair-ground  spring  is.  He  located  there  in 
1818.  In  1829  he  sold  out  his  improvements  to  Col.  Thos.  S. 
Young.  The  Brents  family  came  soon  after,  and  by  some  it  is 
thought  that  they  were  settlers  here  before  Sinnet,  but  as  stated 
above,  the  best  information  is  that  Sinnet  was  first  and  the  Brents 
came  in  1820.  The  widow  Brents  brought  her  family  with  her. 
There  were  William  C.,  John  and  Simeon  ; her  sons  were  young 
boys  at  that  time.  The  latter  son  is  still  living  in  the  county. 
Daniel  C.  Goode  is  credited  with  being  in  the  county  and  a resident 
of  this  township  as  early  as  1824.  He  located  two  and  a half 
miles  east  of  Taylorville,  and  close  to  where  the  town  of  Allenton 
stood.  He  entered  the  first  land  in  the  township  in  1830.  We  will 
have  occasion  to  speak  more  fully  of  him  further  along  in  this  chap- 
ter. In  1825,  William  Wallis  arrived.  He  married  a daughter 
of  the  widow  Brents.  He  opened  a small  farm  one  mile  east  of  the 
present  town  of  Taylorville.  He  was  a Kentuckian  by  birth.  Jesse 
Langley  first  settled  on  a tract  of  land  on  the  west  side  of  the  town- 
ship in  1828.  In  1834,  he  removed  to  a small  improved  farm  for- 
merly occupied  by  John  Brents,  on  the  east  side  of  the  township. 
Mr.  Langley,  in  his  day,  was  one  of  the  prominent  and  influential 
men  of  the  county.  He  became  a large  land-owner  and  wealthy. 
He  was  the  first  man  in  the  county  that  erected  a distillery  and 
manufactured  alcoholic  spirits.  In  1829,  there  was  quite  a large 
number  of  settlers  came  into  the  township.  Among  them  may  be 
mentioned,  Jesse  Murphy,  who  settled  on  an  improved  piece 
of  land  about  two  miles  west  of  Taylorville.  Aaron  Vande- 
veer,  a native  of  Washington  County,  Indiana,  a farmer  and 
a Baptist  preacher,  came  into  the  county  in  the  year  above  men- 
tioned. His  son,  Hon.  H.  M.  Vandeveer,  came  to  Taylorville  in 
1839,  when  the  county-seat  was  located,  and  has  remained  here  up 
to  the  present.  The  same  year,  1829,  witnessed  the  arrival  of  the 
“Young”  family — Col.  Thos.  S.  Marcus  L.  and  John,  with  their 
families.  They  were  from  Kentucky.  In  1830,  John  Gore,  Sr., 
arrived  ; he  settled  on  and  improved  a tract  of  land  four  miles  west 
of  the  town  of  Taylorville.  In  1833,  Thos.  Young,  Sr.,  settled  in 
the  township  at  a point  one  mile  south-east  of  this  town.  James 
Hanes  came  to  the  township  in  1834.  He  subsequently  erected 
the  first  hotel  in  Taylorville,  now  a part  of  the  Globe  Hotel,  on  the 
north  side  of  the  public  square.  Daniel  C.  Goode  entered  the  land 
on  which  Taylorville  now  stands,  in  1835.  He  afterward  settled 
on  a farm  three  miles  north-east  of  Taylorville,  where  he  died. 
Thomas  Dawson  was  an  old  settler  in  the  county ; he  came  in 
1822.  In  1824  he  built  a horse  mill  on  Flat  Branch,  and  ran  it 
tliree  or  four  years,  after  which  lie  moved  to  Missouri.  Thomas  S. 


114 


HISTORY  OF  CHRISTIAN  COUNTY,  ILLINOIS. 


Leachman,  a former,  came  into  the  township  in  1837,  and  Frank 
Hanes  in  1838.  In  1839,  Ezekiel  S.  Young,  a prominent  man, 
became  a resident  of  Taylorville,  Avhere  he  resided  till  his  death  in 
1857  ; he  raised  a large  family,  and  many  of  his  descendants  still 
reside  in  the  county.  On  the  organization  of  the  county,  he  was 
elected  its  first  county  clerk.  He  resigned  the  office  August  1st, 
1840.  In  August,  1842,  he  was  elected  a member  of  the  County 
Commissioners’ Court.  AVilliam  Thomas  was  an  early  settler ; he 
was  elected  justice  of  the  peace,  and  held  the  office  for  many  years, 
or  until  his  death.  In  1839,  Morgan  Goode,  a half  brother  of 
Daniel  C.,  emigrated  from  Indiana  and  lived  the  first  winter  on 
the  Fraley  form,  four  miles  cast  of  Taylorville.  The  next  year 
after  the  location  of  the  county-seat,  he  moved  to  Taylorville.  He  i 
is  credited  with  building  the  first  dwelling-house  in  the  town.  ; 
There  were  other  buildings,  a half-dozen  i)erhaps,  that  had  been 
moved  from  Edinburg  and  Allenton  and  used  as  business  houses 
and  dwellings,  but  his  was  the  first  house  erected  for  dwelling  pur- 
poses exclusively  in  the  town.  It  was  afterwards  removed  to  the  ^ 
alley  in  the  rear  of  Anderson’s  bank.  James  ^V'addle  and  family 
came  in  1836,  and  settled  on  a tract  of  land  adjoining  Taylorville 
on  the  east.  He  remained  there  for  several  years.  In  1840,  came 
John  W.  Wheat  and  settled  in  Taylorville,  and  taught  the  first 
school  in  the  town  after  it  was  located.  He  was  also  a lawyer,  and 
was  second  resident  practicing  attorney  in  the  town  or  county. 
After  him  came  Philip  C.  Ferguson.  James  R.  Lucas  and  family  i 
came  in  1840.  He,  however,  had  been  a resident  of  the  county 
since  1836.  Then  came  the  Easthams  and  Goodens.  W.  S.  Frink 
came  to  the  county  in  1836.  He  afterAvards  became  the  oAvner  of 
the  land  on  Avhich  Allenton  stood. 

The  first  marriage  in  Taylorville  took  place  January  1st,  1841. 
The  high  contracting  parties  AA^ere  John  Gilbert  and  Clara  Ann 
Young.  They  Avere  united  in  the  holy  bonds  of  matrimony  by 
Rev.  Aaron  Vandeveer.  The  marriage  license  Avas  the  tAventy- 
sixth  one  issued  in  the  county. 

The  first  child  born  in  the  tOAvn  of  Taylorville  AA'as  Sarah  Lucas. 
The  first  death  Avas  “ Cockle  ” Reece,  Avho  Avas  proprietor  of  the 
first  grocery  store  in  the  toAvn. 

The  first  entry  of  land  upon  record,  in  Taylorville  toAvnship, 
Avas  made  by  Daniel  C.  Goode.  The  entry  bears  date  January  25th, 
1830.  He  entered  the  E.  half  of  the  N.  E.  quarter  of  section  24,  T. 

13  north.  Range  2 Av,est.  The  second  entry  Avas  made  by  Jesse  Lang- 
ley, May  30th,  1830.  He  entered  the  E.  half  of  the  N.  E.  quarter 
of  .section  12,  T.  13,  R.  3 W.  The  same  day,  John  Young  entered 
the  N.  E.  quarter  of  section  1 in  T.  13,  R.  3 W. 

TOAVN.SHIl*  OI'1'ICEK.g. 

Siipervimrs : — W.  W.  Ander.son,  elected  I860,  and  re-elected  1867  ; 

J.  C.  Morrison,  1868,  re-elected  1870  and  1871;  J.  II  . Parsons, 
1872,  re-cl(!cted  1873;  H.  W.  Sharp,  1874;  Abner  Rond,  1875,  and 
by  re-elections  held  the  office  till  1879;  Harry  Cheney,  1880. 

Assessora: — T.  G.  May,  1876;  Wm.  Richardson,  1877;  W.  S, 
Richardson,  1878;  Cecil  Adams,  1879;  Seth  Mason,  1880. 

CollrctorH : — James  C.  Morrison,  elected  1866,  re-clectcd  1867; 
Elijah  A.  Miller,  1868;  James  Rrooks,  1869;  John  Knopp,  1870; 
Wm.  II.  KirkAvood,  1871  ; John  Knopp,  1872;  A.  S.  Martin,  1873; 
.John  Knoj)[),  1874;  A.  S.  Martin,  1875,  re-elected  1876  and  1877  ; 

•I.  S.  Torrey,  1878;  James  M.  Crabb,  1879;  William  I.  Woodruff, 
1880. 

Tmvn  Clerks: — W.  4'.  Evans,  1876;  .lames  White,  1877,  re- 
elected 1878;  .1.  S.  Torrey,  1879;  F.  II.  Ilarri.son,  1880. 

C'ommlsniourrs  of  Ilir/lnroi/s : — Geo.  )).  Potts,  1876;  ^^'m.  Hall, 


1877  ; W.  F.  Langley,  1878;  Nicholas  Burch,  1879;  II.  M.  Lang- 
ley, 1880. 

Constoi^es  .---Gustavus  C-  Johnson,  F.  M.  Good  and  L.  A.  Dodge, 
elected  in  1873;  G.  W.  Long,  1874;  Gus.  C.  Johnson,  J.  J.  Wil- 
liams and  W.  C.  Harris,  1877;  Joseph  B.  Gore,  1879;  Joseph 
Kennall,  1880. 

* Justice  of  the  Peace: — Wm.  Singer,  elected  in  1866;  Jesse  Ha- 
non,  1866;  Enos  Sabin  and  M.  C.  Long,  1870;  James  M.  Taylor, 
M.  C.  Long  and  Wm.  M.  Proviiie,  1873 ; M.  C.  Long,  E.  Overand 
and  J.  N.  C.  SlumiAA'ay,  1877. 

TAYLORVILLE. 

The  town  of  Taylorville  is  one  of  the  oldest  in  the  county.  It  is 
centrally  located,  and  is  equi-distant  from  Springfield,  Decatur, 
Shelbyville  and  Hillsboro. 

It  Avas  located  May  24th,  1839,  by  a commission  appointed  by 
the  legislature  for  that  purpose,  soon  after  the  organization  of  the 
county.  When  the  location  Avas  made,  the  land  on  Avhich  Taylor- 
ville Avas  built  belonged  to  Daniel  C.  Goode,  Avho  entered  it  on  the 
14th  of  December,  1835.  He  convmyed  it  to  Dr.  Richard  F.  Bar- 
rett, John  Taylor,  M.  Eastham  and  Robert  Allen,  Avho  had  it  sur- 
veyed and  ])latted.  At  the  time  of  the  location  of  the  county-scat, 
the  toAvns  of  Edinburg  and  Allenton  Avere  rivals  for  that  honor. 
Edinburg  had  then  a population  of  several  hundred  inhabitants, 
and  Allenton  presented  advantages  of  no  mean  pretensions.  Both 
toAvns  Avere  backed  by  their  respective  citizens.  Both  Avere  suffi- 
ciently near  the  geographical  centre,  so  that  opposition  in  that 
direction  Avas  not  thought  of.  The  query  arises,  Avhy  these  places 
Avere  overlooked  and  neglected,  and  the  county  seat  located  Avhere 
there  Avas  not  the  least  sign  of  a habitation.  The  location  was  made 
through  the  personal  efforts  of  Daniel  C.  Goode.  He  was  in  many 
respects  a remarkable  man,  and  as  a manager  of  men  and  director 
of  local  eA’ents  and  enterprises,  it  is  doubtful  if  the  county  has  ever 
produced  his  equal.  He  Avas  a large,  fine-looking  man,  Avith  a 
splendid  physique,  and  had  a personal  magnetism  that  Avon  men 
to  him  at  once.  He  and  Robert  Allen  laid  out  the  town  of 
Allenton.  Allen  Avas  the  owner  of  the  stage  line,  betAveeii  Spring- 
field  and  Ttrre  Haute,  Indiana.  Goode  kejit  the  stage  stand  at 
Allenton. 

The  tOAvn  Avas  named  after  John  Taylor,  one  of  the  commissioners 
Avho  located  it.  He  was  a resident  of  Springfield,  and  Avas  for  a 
long  time  Register  in  the  Land  Office.  The  first  house  erected  Avas 
a small  frame  building  12x12  feet;  H.  M.  Vandeveer  was  the 
builder.  He  commenced  its  erection  in  July  of  1839,  and  com- 
])letcd  it  in  several  months,  after  Avhich  he  occupied  it  as  clerk, 
a position  to  Avhich  he  had  been  appointed  Avhen  the  county  Avas 
organized.  It  served  as  his  habitation,  clerk’s  office,  court  room, 
etc.,  until  the  erection  and  comj>letion  of  the  neAV  court-hou.se  in 
1840.  In  the  Avinter  of  1839-40,  buildings  Averc  removed  from 
E.linburg  and  Allenton  to  the  county-seat.  The  first  busine.ss 
house  Avas  Samuel  Reece’s  grocery  store,  ft  Avas  a building  called 
the  old  Charlie  Clark  home,  moved  from  Edinburg,  and  .stood  on 
lot  No.  9,  block  15.  He  kept  store  in  one  end  and  lived  in  the 
other.  The  counter  Avas  about  six  feet  in  length.  He  sold  coffee 
in  those  days  at  fifty  cents  per  lb.,  and  other  luxuries  in  proportion. 
He  did  not  have  much  to  sell,  but,  notAvithstanding.  he  Avas  con- 
sidered of  much  importance  in  his  day.  Dr.  Alexander  Ralston,  a 
Scotchman,  and  ^Ir.  Gilbert  opened  the  second  store  in  Taylorville. 
The  doctor  used  his  room  for  some  time  as  an  office,  after  Avhich 
Avas  oj)cned  the  store  of  Ralston  A Gilbert.  The  store-house  of 

♦ roBtor  of  the  offices  is  not  qui'c  full,  owing  to  the  fact  that  the  records  arc  not 
coinplutp. 


II  IS  TORY  OF  CHRISTIAN  COUNTY,  ILLINOIS. 


115 


Prickett’s  was  moved  from  EJiuburg  to  Taylorville.  Benjamin  L. 
Yates  opened  a general  store.  In  1846,  Messrs.  Walker,  Phelps 
& Co.,  of  Carliiiville,  brought  an  extra  large  stock  of  goods  to  the 
town.  They  were  in  a small  bulling  on  the  north  side  of  the  public 
square.  The  whole  stock  amounted  to  $1700.  It  made  a great 
sensation.  No  princely  merchant  with  a $50,000  stock  could  at 
this  day  produce  more  profound  sensation. 

The  building  now  occupied  as  a dwelling  by  the  family  of  the 
late  Dr.  Goudy,  was  moved  from  Edinburg,  where  it  had  done  duty 
as  a hotel. 

Dr.  Slater  was  the  first  physician  in  the  town.  He  remained 
but  a short  time.  Dr.  Ralston  was  the  second.  After  him  came 
Drs.  Higby,  Chapman  and  Goudy.  The  first  sermon  preached  in 
the  town  of  Taylorville,  after  its  location,  was  by  Rev.  Michael 
Shunk.  H.  M.  Vandeveer  was  the  first  post-master.  The  post-office 
was  in  the  court-house. 

The  town  improved  slowly.  The  Great  Eastern  stage  line  pa.ss- 
ing  through  the  place  daily,  imparted  a little  life  and  excitement 
to  the  town.  The  merchants  had  to  haul  their  goods  from  St.  Loui.s. 
Flour  was  hauled  from  Springfield,  and  sold  at  $3.50  per  barrel. 
Farmers  hauled  their  wheat  to  Springfield,  and  received  from  35  to 
40  cents  per  bushel.  Pork  was  worth  $1.50  per  hundred.  Beef 
$2.00  per  hundred.  Butter  was  worth  5 to  6 cents  per  pound,  and 
potatoes  15  to  20  cents  per  bushel. 

The  first  school  taught  in  Taylorville  was  by  John  W.  Wheat, 
in  1840.  Then  followed  Thos.  B.  Dougherty,  David  Miller,  Aaron 
II.  H.  Roundtree,  Miss  Sarah  Holland.  Schools  were  taught  in 
different  houses;  the  last,  in  Captain  Hardin’s  office,  on  the  soutli 
side  of  the  public  square.  Miss  Holland  was  one  of  Gov.  Slade’s 
“School  Marms”  sent  out  from  the  New  England  states.  She  was 
well  educated,  and  possessed  superior  attainments.  She  died  with 
cholera,  in  Springfield,  in  1852. 

The  brick  seminary  was  erected  in  1850,  by  the  school  directors 
of  the  town  and  the  Sons  of  Temperance,  Division  No.  145.  The 
lower  story  was  used  for  school  purposes,  and  the  upper  one  as  a 
temperance  hall.  Among  the  teachers  employed  in  th's  building 
were  D.  L.  Moore,  John  B.  Jones  and  others.  In  1858,  the  town 
was  divided  into  three  districts,  and  school-houses  erected  in  each. 
These  subserved  the  interests  of  the  people  until  1870,  when  the 
town  was  divided  into  two  districts.  The  districts  have  now  two  fine 
brick  school-houses ; the  one  in  the  east  costing  $10,000,  and  the 
one  in  the  west  $24,000.  The  value  of  school  furniture  is  about 
$600  The  number  of  children  attending  these  schools  between  the 
ages  of  six  and  twenty  years,  are  eight  hundred  and  fifty.  There 
are  two  principals,  and  ten  assistant  teachers  employed  in  these 
schools. 

CHURCHES. 

The  first  church  erected  in  Taylorville  was  the  Cumberland 
Presbyterian.  It  was  occupied  December  24th,  1848.  It  was  a 
frame  structure  in  the  south-west  part  of  the  town,  located 
on  lot  No.  5,  block  No.  28.  The  building  was  24  by  36  feet.  No 
longer  needing  it  for  church  purposes  the  society  sold  it  in  May, 
1874,  for  $400,  and  it  has  been  converted  into  a family  residence. 
The  M.  E.  Church  was  a brick  building  built  in  1848.  It  was 
located  on  lot  Nos.  5 and  6,  block  No.  24.  After  being  used  for 
many  years  it  was  torn  down,  and  on  its  site  was  erected  the  pre- 
sent building.  About  one  year  after  the  completion  of  these  two 
churches  the  Roman  Catholic  Church  was  finished  by  old  “ Dickey  ” 
Simpson,  who  made  sacrifices  without  which  it  never  would  have 
been  built.  He  deserves  to  be  held  in  dear  remembrance  by  the 
Catholic  society  for  his  untiring  and  selfsacrificing  work  in  the 
cause  of  his  and  their  faith.  He  deserves  a burial  under  its  chan- 


cel, with  a marble  slab  to  perpetuate  his  virtues  and  memory. 
This  church  stood  south  of  the  Public  square  on  lot  No.  4,  block 
No.  27,  but  was  moved,  in  the  summer  of  1874,  further  south,  to 
lot  No.  6,  block  No.  30,  on  the  Catholic  Church  grounds. 

The  Baptist  Church  was  the  fourth,  and  was  erected  in  1854. 
The  Presbyterian  Church  society,  of  Taylorville,  was  organized  in 
1857,  by  Dr.  J.  G.  Bergen,  of  Springfield,  Illinois,  and  its  present 
frame  house  of  worship  was  built  in  1870.  The  present  new  Cum- 
berland Presbyterian  Church  edifice  was  built  in  1873.  In  size  it 
is  40  by  70  feet,  and  seats  400  persons.  Its  cost,  when  built,  was 
$9,000-  The  Christian  Church  was  built  in  1857. 

RAILROADS. 

In  the  winter  of  1856  Dr.  Goudy  was  sent  to  the  legislature 
from  this  district,  and  among  other  measures  secured,  obtained  a 
liberal  charter  for  the  Paua  and  Springfield  railroad,  and  perfect- 
ed the  charter  of  the  Decatur  and  East  St.  Louis  railroad.  These 
charters  remained  comparatively  a dead  letter,  but  served  the 
valuable  purpose  of  agitating  and  keeping  the  project  before  the 
people  until  it  resolved  itself  into  an  accomplished  fact.  The 
charters  were  renewed,  and  both  roads  built  and  put  in  operation. 
The  Pana  and  Springfield,  now  known  as  the  Ohio  and  Mississippi 
road,  has  been  extended  to  Beardstown  on  the  north,  and  Shawnee- 
town  on  the  south.  This  road  was  the  first  one  contemplated  to 
this  place.  The  first  advent  of  the  “ Iron  Horse,”  in  Taylorville, 
was  on  the  28th  of  October,  1869.  Its  arrival  from  Pana  caused  no 
little  sensation.  The  Decatur  and  St  Louis  railroad  was  completed 
soon  after.  With  the  completion  of  these  roads,  Taylorville  im- 
proved rapidly.  Good  and  suRstantial  buildings  were  erected, 
trade  and  business  more  than  doubled,  and  its  population  increased 
to  3,000  inhabitants. 

MANUFACTURE.S. 

The  first  man  in  Taylorville  who  might  be  termed  a manufactu- 
rer, was  Abel  Conner,  a blacksmith.  Jesse  Langley  built  a horse 
mill  in  the  year  1837,  on  Spring  Branch,  one  mile  and  a half  east 
of  Taylorville.  Its  power  was  obtained  by  an  inclined  wheel  pro- 
pelled by  milch  cows.  In  connection  wdth  the  mill  he  had  a distil- 
lery. He  built  the  mill  with  a double  object  in  view,  for  the  grind- 
ing of  corn  and  barley,  for  the  use  of  the  distillery,  and  at  the  same 
time  to  grind  corn  for  the  accommodation  of  the  neighborhood.  He 
carried  it  on  for  three  or  four  years,  when  he  sold  it,  and  it  was  re- 
moved to  the  North  Fork. 

In  1850  Dr.  Goudy  supplied  a want  long  felt  by  the  erection  of 
the  first  steam  saw  and  grist  mill  in  Taylorville.  It  contained  but 
one  pair  of  burrs,  used  for  grinding  corn.  It  was  built  at  a cost  of 
$2,000.  It  was  located  in  the  south-east  part  of  the  town.  It  was 
the  first  thing  that  stimulated  enterprise  in  furnishing  lumber  and 
the  building  up  of  the  town.  In  time  it  changed  hands,  and  Esquire 
E.  S.  Young  & Sons  became  the  owners.  It  burned  down  in  1853. 

The  first  steam  flouring  mill  was  built  by  William  T.  Sprouse  & 
Co  , in  1853,  in  the  western  part  of  the  town.  In  its  day  it  was 
looked  upon  as  a “ big  thing,”  and  of  no  mean  pretensions.  It  was 
furnished  with  two  run  of  stones,  one  for  wheat  and  the  other  for 
corn.  It  changed  ownership  several  times,  being  successively 
operated  by  Wm.  T Sprou.se  & Co.,  Col.  Thomas  P.  Bond,  Je.sse 
Richardson,  King  & Co.,  V.  T.  Priest,  Barfield  and  Sandford,  and 
C.  W.  Davis.  The  latter  purchased  the  entire  mill  in  1860,  and 
converted  it  into  a wmolen  factory, — carding  and  spinning.  During 
this  time  he  bought  and  shipped  some  20,000  lb.s.  of  wool  annually. 
In  1872  it  was  again  converted  into  a “custom  flouring  mill.”  It 
is  still  owned  by  C.  W.  Davis,  but  at  present  is  not  operated. 

The  rapid  emigration  into  the  county  created  a greater  demand 


lU 


HISTORY  OF  CHRISTIAN  COUNTY,  ILLINOIS. 


for  milling  facilities.  In  1859  V.  T.  I’riest  erected  a merchant 
steam  flouring  mill  in  the  southern  part  of  the  town,  below  the  old 
Fair  grounds.  It  was  of  more  enlarged  capacity,  capable  of  run- 
ning four  pair  of  burrs.  It  Avas  styled  and  known  as  the  “ Forest 
iSIills.”  It  Avas  a three  story  brick  structure,  and  cost  about  $15,- 
000.  It  Avas  destroyed  by  fire  in  1872. 

In  18G8  Reuben  Wilkinson,  John  W.  Price  and  William  S.  Moore 
erected  the  steam  flouring  mill  in  the  northeast  part  of  the  town,  on 
the  O.  & M.  railroad,  known  as  the  “ Ruth  IMills,”  and  noAV  operated 
by  Price  & Wilkinson.  It  is  a brick  structure,  three  stories  high, 
has  four  run  of  burrs,  and  is  furnished  throughout  Avith  the  latest 
improve-ment  and  appliances.  The  cost  of  the  building  and  machin 
ery  Avas  $80,000.  It  has  a capacity  for  manufacturing  100  barrels 
of  flour  CA^ery  tAventy-four  hours.  There  is  also  attached  to  the  mill 
an  elevator  for  the  handling  and  shipping  of  grain,  Avith  a capacity 
of  1,000,000  bushels  annually.  The  firm  of  Price  and  Wilkinson 
manufacture  into  flour  50,000  bushels  of  wheat,  and  buy  and  ship 
100,000  bushels  of  Avheat  and  200,000  bushels  of  corn  annually. 
The  firm  of  S.  S.  Sprague  & Co  have  also  an  elevator  on  the  track 
of  the  Wabash,  St.  Louis  and  Pacific  railroad.  Their  capacity  for 
handling  grain  is  about  the  same  as  Price  & Wilkinson’s.  They 
have  also  tAvo  run  of  burrs  and  manufacture  large  (piantities  of 
corn  meal  Avhich  is  shipped  to  eastern  markets. 

The  Sattley  Bros.,  manufacturers  of  agricultural  implements, 
organized  and  commenced  operations  in  1869.  They  manufacture 
from  five  hundred  and  fifty  to  six  hundred  sulky  ploAvs  annually, 
and  about  the  same  number  of  Avalking  ploAvs,  and  about  four  hun- 
dred cultivators.  The  main  building  is  100  by  30  feet,  and  Aving 
GO  by  30  feet.  Messrs.  Sattley  Bros,  have  all  the  latest  improve- 
ments in  machinery  for  turning  Avork  out  skillfully  and  rapidly. 

IXCOPa’ORATlON  OF  TAYFORA'ILLE. 

John  W.  Young,  I’resident  of  the  Board  of  Trustees  of  the  toAvn 
of  Taylorville,  presented  to  the  County  Court,  March  11,  1853,  the 
following  statement  of  the  j>oll  books  of  an  election  held  on  the  4th 
day  of  March,  1853,  to  vote  for  and  against  “ Incorporating  the 
toAvn  of  Taylorville,”  in  these  Avords  and  figures  to  Avit : ‘‘At  an 
election  held  at  the  court-house  in  the  town  of  Taylorville,  in  the 
county  of  Christian  and  State  of  Illinois,  on  the  4th  day  of  March, 
1853,  to  vote  for  or  against  incorporating  the  toAvn  of  Taylorville, 
the  follosving  Avas  the  vote  given,  viz  : For  incorporating  45  votes  ; 
against  incorporating  6,  certified  by  me,  H.  1).  Brigham,  President; 
Milton  Pike,  Clerk. 

The  jircsent  officers  of  the  tOAvn  are : T.  W.  Long,  President  of 
the  Bf)ard  of  Trustees;  James  White,  T.  P.  Baxter,  C.  W.  PoAvell, 
R.  Wilkimson  and  James  White,  Trustees  ; J.  C.  McBride,  Attorney 
for  the  Board  ; .1.  P.  Baxter,  Treasurer  ; J.  B.  Rick.s,  Police  IMagis- 
trate;  W.  R.  Elzroth,  Marshal. 

No  change  has  been  made  in  the  government  of  Taylorville  since 
its  incorporation  as  a town,  in  1853. 

CIIRI.STIAN  COUNTY  ACIMCUI/rURAU  SOCTKTY. 

This  Society  Avas  organized  on  the  21st  day  of  July,  185G.  A 
con.-*titution  and  by-hiAvs  Avere  adopted.  At  the  j)reliminary  meet- 
ing to  determine  whether  a society  should  be  formed,  Frederick 
Weelhouse  Avas  called  to  the  chair,  and  II.  M.  Vandeveer  appointed 
.secretary.  The  organization  elected  the  folloAving  officers:  Ccorge 
Iloiisley,  President;  A.  D.  Northcutt,  Criffith  Evans  and  II.  (). 
Farrell,  Vice-Presidents;  I ).  I).  ShuniAvay,  Kecording  Secretary; 
.lohn  I).  llroAA  II,  Corresponding  Secretary  ; J.  J I.  Clark,  Treasurer  ; 
.Mliert  Sattley,  ( 'hief  Marslial. 

'I'he  first  fair  Avas  held  rm  the  society’s  ground-*,  south  of  'I’aylor- 


ville,  October  21st,  1856,  and  Avas  a creditable  affair.  The  society 
had  purchased  fifteen  acres  of  land  from  Albert  Sattley  for  fair 
grounds. 

The  present  officers  are : John  B.  Ricks,  President ; W.  A.  Per- 
kins, Vice  President;  W.  A.  Goodrich,  Secretary;  A.  Sattley, 

I Treasurer ; H.  W.  Sharp,  J.  AV.  Hunter,  W.  T.  Baker,  J.  M.  Simp- 
son and  J.  A.  Hill,  Directors. 

THE  TAYLORA'ILEE  DRAMATIC  COMPANY. 

A society  knoAvn  as  the  above-named,  Avas  permanently  organized 
on  the  16th  of  December,  1878,  Avith  the  folloAviug  officers: — James 
B.  Ricks,  President  and  Manager ; Arthur  Crooker,  Assistant 
; Manager;  V.  B.  Kelly,  Treasurer  ; AVm.  II.  Kaup,  Secretary. 

The  membership  consists  of  the  above-named  officers,  and  Messrs. 
Charles  E.  Johnson,  C.  A.  Parish,  Wm.  McCaskill,  Wm.  T.  Vande- 
veer, and  Misses  Retta  Ricks,  Lillie  Clark,  Minnie  Kittle,  Jennie 
Goudy  and  Adah  Hay. 

I They  have  given  several  exhibitions  of  the  minor  drama  and 
j comedy  order,  in  Avhich  they  displayed  considerable  talent  and 

received  the  highest  encomiums  from  the  local  press  and  competent 
critics. 

LEADING  BUSINESS  HOUSES  OF  1880. 

I Banks. — The  banking  interest  of  Taylorville  is  represented  by  the 

folloAving  firms  and  individuals  : H.  M.  Vandeveer  & Co.,  Ander- 
j son  & Shuimvay,  and  A.  G.  Barnes. 

! Dry  Good  Merchants. — J.  M.  Richardson,  H.  P.  ShumAvay,  G.  A. 

^ Deterding,  Chamberlain  & Barnes,  and  S.  M.  McKnight. 

I Clothiers  Merchant  Tailors. — Marblestone  Bros.,  Kuder  Bros., 
Samuel  H.  Mossier,  H.  Cohen,  and  J.  Wertheimer. 

Grocery  Stores. — The  grocery  and  provision  trade  is  represented 
by  AVilkinsou  & Co.,  V^oung  & Anderson,  L.  R.  Hedrick  & Co., 
James  Bourne,  ColloAvay  & Torrey,  J.  H.  FoAvler. 

1 Hardware  and  Timvare. — Is  represented  by  S.  A.  Low,  Case 
j Bros.,  C.  Barnes,  and  AV.  E.  Smith. 

' Druygists. — Barnes  & AA'^illiams,  A.  Seaman,  Jayne  & Rockwell, 

Crooker  A Son.  ^ 

, Hotels. — Long  House,  Globe  Hotel,  Traylor  House,  Railroad 

I House,  People’s  House. 

Lumber  Dealers. — II.  M.  PoAvel,  Paddock,  Greenman  A Co. 

Livery,  Feed  and  Sale  Stables. — B.  F.  Long,  G.  AA^.  Torrance, 
George  AVaggoner. 

Boot  and  Shoe  Trade. — Aloore  A Bach,  John  Reed. 

! Jjeading  Physicians. — J.  H.  Kitzmiller,  L.  H.  Clark,  J.  H.  Clark, 

j C.  V.  Rockwell,  A.  L.  Perry,  L.  B.  Slater,  J.  E.  AA’^hitccraft,  I).  K. 
Cornell,  H.  C.  Chapman,  A.  J.  Roe,  T.  Al.  Johns,  C.  Pierce,  AVm. 
AIcNeill,  J.  J.  Fircy. 

Dentists. — T.  L.  BroAvn,  AI.  Bonbrakc. 

Millinery  Stores. — Aliss  Dora  Allen,  Kelley  Sisters. 

Photographers- — G.  N.  Burleigh,  AA’hcelen  Bros. 

Jewelry  Stores. — G.  Anderson,  Jayne  A Rockwell. 

Agricultural  Implements. — Post  A Jlarton,  Sattley  Bros.,  F.  Cook. 

Saddlery  and  Harness. — John  Reed,  Alexander  AIcClain. 

Furniture  Deala's. — J.  F.  AVestenberg,  Anderson  A Shake. 

Tonsorial  Artists. — AVhitzcll  A Alorris,  J.  Aledford,  Ricsemy  A 
Opperman. 

^^eat  Markets. — Samuel  Alilligan,  T.  E.  Sexton, 

Bestuurants  and  Bakeries. — A-  J.  AVoolington,  Airs.  Alargaret 
Alurphy,  Richard  Bourne,  James  Ifird,  Peter  Alichaels  A Co. 
AVi-ndling  A Co. 

Cigars  and  Tobacco. — G.  A.  Brua. 

Maible  Cutter. — J.  S.  Culver. 


HISTORY  OF  CHRISTIAN  COUNTY,  ILLINOIS. 


117 


Mills  and  Elevators. — Ruth  Mills,  Price  & Wilkinson,  proprietors; 

S.  S.  Sj)rague  & Co.,  C.  II.  Davis. 

Wagon  and  Carriage  Manufactories- — F.  Cook,  J.  Shetler,  Linliart 
& Hunker.  i 

Newspapers. — Democrat.  Republican,  Saturday  Republican,  j 
Farmer’s  Journal. 

Insurance  Agencies. — J.  N.  C.  Shumway,  Kinney  & Peck,  A.  T. 
Kinney. 

Abstractor  of  Titles. — N.  D.  Ricks,  J.  M.  Taylor. 

Booh  and  Neu's  Store. — Simpson  & Squier. 

Confectioner. — C.  A.  Morrison.  j 

SECRET  SOCIETIES. 

Mound  Lodge  No.  120  A.  F.  and  A.  Al.  was  organized  under  a 
dispensation  from  the  Grand  Lodge,  December  1st,  1851.  The 
charter  members  and  names  of  first  officers  were  : 

Jerome  R.  Gorin,  W.  M. ; William  R.  Funk,  S.  W. ; E.  J.  Rice, 

J.  W. ; W.  R.  Frink,  Treas. ; D.  D.  Shumway,  Sec. ; James  Ashton, 
Tyler. 

The  present  officers  are  J.  T.  Townsley,  W.  M. ; A.  T.  Kinney, 

S.  W. ; H.  P.  Shumway,  J.  W.  ; A.  Ritcher,  S.  D. ; A.  H.  Nelson,  ! 

J.  D. ; W.  W.  Anderson,  Treas.;  H.  M.  Powel,  Sec.;  J.  Shetler 

and  Richard  Brown,  Stewards;  M.  L.  Young,  Tyler.  Present 
membership  109. 

Taylorville  Chapter  No.  1 22,  R.  A.  il/.,  was  organized  under  a 
dispensation  from  the  Grand  Chapter  of  the  State  of  Illinois,  July 
18th,  1866,  by  Comp’s  William  T.  Frink,  H.  P. ; B.  T.  Brown,  K. ; 
and  W.  A.  Gocdrich,  S.  The  Chapter  was  regularly  chartered 
October  5th,  1866.  The  first  three  principal  officers  were  D.  D. 
Shumway,  H.  P. ; B.  F.  Barnes,  K.,  and  W.  A.  Goodrich,  S. 

The  present  officers  are  William  T.  Vandeveer,  H.  P. ; A.  Mc- 
Caskill,  K. ; A.  S.  Rockwell,  S. ; W.  H.  Kaup,  Sec. ; James  White,  ' 
Chaplain  ; Samel  H.  Mossier,  C.  H ; Joseph  Torrey,  P.  S.  ; J.  T. 
Townsley,  R.  A.  C. ; J.  Shetler,  W.  R.  Calloway  ; J.  Brooks,  M. 
ofl,2and3V. ; M.  L.  Young,  Tyler.  Present  membership  44. 

Taylorville  Lodge  No.  413  I.  0.  0.  F. — This  Lodge  Avas  organ- 
ized and  instituted  March  8th,  1870.  The  names  of  the  charter 
members  were  Francis  Sauter,  Peter  Neu,  AVm.  H.  Barr,  and  L. 

F.  Wolfkill.  The  first  officers  were  D.  S.  Wolfkill,  N.  G.  ; Francis 
Sauter,  V.  G.  ; Wm.  H.  Barr,  Sec. ; Peter  Neu,  Treas. ; Chris.  Neu, 
Guard.  The  present  officers  are  D.  Hoover,  N.  G.  ; E.  C.  Holmes, 

V.  G. ; J.  H.  Abell,  Rec.  Sec.  ; William  T.  Vandeveer,  Treas.  ; E. 

J.  Hunt,  Guard.  Present  membership  86. 

Arnraphael  Encampment,  No.  137,  ivas  instituted  April  8th,  1872. 
The  charter  members  were  Samuel  H.  JMossler,  A.  P.  Osborn, 
Chas.  Spire,  H.  C.  Johnson,  Gus  Stine,  J.  H Abell,  and  S.  Skiles. 

The  present  officers  are,  Samuel  H.  Mossier,  C.  P. ; A.  P.  Osborn, 

H.  P. ; Wm.  Williams,  J.  W.  ; J.  W.  Nichodemus,  S.  AY  ; J.  H. 
Abell,  Scribe  ; C.  N.  Meredith,  Treas. ; E.  J.  Hunt,  Sen.  Present 
membership  26. 

Knights  of  Pythias,  Alystic  Lodge,  No  64,  was  organized  Decem- 
ber 15th,  1875.  The  first  officers  were  J.  S.  Culver,  P.  C. ; AVil- 
liam  T.  Vandeveer,  C.  C. ; S.  A.  Barnes,  V.  C. ; Alex.  P.  Osborn, 
Prelate;  E.  T.  AVeston,  K.  of  R.  and  S. ; J.  II  Kitzmiller,  M.  A. ; 
Theo.  P.  Baxter,  M.  of  F.  ; Charles  A.  Dean,  M.  of  E , representa- 
tive  to  Grand  Lodge  ; J.  S.  Culver,  Deputy,  G C.  ; AAJlliam  Vande- 
veer. The  present  officers  are  G.  Anderson,  C C.  ; B.  F.  Lantz, 

A'.  C. ; S.  McKnight.  Prelate  ; Jas  B.  Ricks,  K.  of  R.  and  S.  ; II. 
Cheney,  M of  E.  ; Jas.  M.  Crabb,  M.  of  F. ; M.  AVilliams,  M of  A ; 


J.  H.  Kitzmiller,  I.  G. ; E.  J.  Hunt,  O,  G.,  Representative  to 
Grand  Lodge  and  D.  G.  C. ; James  B.  Ricks. 

A.  0.  U.  W Peerless  Ijodge  No.  42. — Pursuant  to  a call  by  the 
Deputy  Grand  Master  AVorkman,  Bro.  AV.  H.  McCormick,  a meet- 
ing was  held  Friday  evening,  February  16th,  1877,  at  the  Lodge 
rooms  of  the  I.  O.  O.  F and  K.  P.,  and  an  organization  instituted, 
the  same  to  be  known  as  above  stated.  A list  of  the  present 
officers  is  as  follows : A.  P Osborn,  P.  M.  AV. ; IM.  Bonbrake,  M. 
W. ; AV.  S.  Richardson,  F. ; George  B.  Crooker,  O.  ; Geo.  A.  Brua, 
R.  ; G.  Anderson,  R. ; Charles  AVhitmer,  Treas.;  I.  G.  Vail,  G. ; 
I.  AV.  Baker,  I.  AV. ; AV.  E.  Smith,  O.  AV.  ; G.  B.  Crooker,  H.  P. 
Shumway,  Charles  AVhitmer,  Trustees.  Representative  to  Grand 
Lodge,  Charles  AVhitmer. 

TAYLORVILLE  GUARDS. 

This  command  was  organized  June  17th,  1876.  It  numbered 
fifty  men,  and  included  among  its  members  the  best  and  most  active 
citizens  of  the  town.  The  first  officers  were,  AVm.  T.  Vandeveer, 
Captain  ; S.  McKnight,  1st  Lieutenant;  James  S.  Culver,  2d  Lieu- 
tenant, were  commissioned  June  21  to  rank  from  June  19(h,  1876. 
These  officers  assisted  in  the  oi’ganization  of  the  5th  Regt  I N.  G., 
on  the  20th  day  of  June  ; at  that  time  it  drew  its  letter  and  has 
since  ranked  as  Company  “ B,”  5th  Regt.  I.  N.  G.  On  the  12th 
day  of  July,  1877,  the  company  was  organized  under  the  new 
military  code — which  became  a law’  July  1st,  1»77 — under  the  same 
commissioned  officers,  its  strength  being  forty  men.  During  the 
riots  of  1877  this  company  did  efiectual  service  in  aiding  the  State 
and  county  authorities,  at  various  points,  in  protecting  2irivate  and 
jiublic  jirojrerty,  and  both  officers  and  men  deserve  much  credit  for 
the  part  they  took  in  assisting  to  jireserve  and  maintain  order.  At 
the  time  of  the  riots  the  company  numbered  54  men,  including  offi- 
cers, and  every  man  was  in  his  place.  Peace  being  restored,  the 
comjmny  left  East  St.  Louis  and  returned  home,  where  they  were 
greeted  by  a large  concourse  of  citizens,  in  the  court-house  yard, 
where  Miss  Lulu  Rockwell,  in  behalf  of  the  citizens,  welcomed  the 
boys  to  their  homes  and  jiresented  them  with  an  elegant  stand  of 
colors.  Capt.  Vandeveer  received  them  in  behalf  of  the  conqiany, 
and  returned  its  thanks  for  the  ovation,  for  the  colors,  and  for  the 
kindly  words  of  w’elcome.  August  4th,  1877,  Cajit.  A'andeveer 
was  commissioned  Major,  and  aid  on  the  Governor’s  staff.  On  the 
8th  of  August  he  was  relieved  from  command,  and  his  connection 
Avith  the  company  ceased.  At  an  election  held  Aug  6th,  1877,  to 
fill  the  vacancy  caused  by  the  promotion  of  Capt.  Vandeveer,  Ser- 
geant McKnight  Avas  elected  Captain,  James  S.  Cjilver  1st  Lieu- 
tenant and  AVm.  H.  Haup  2d  Lieutenant  On  the  13th  of  Aug. 
following,  the  company  received  forty  stand  of  improved  Spring- 
field  rifles.  On  the  23d  of  May,  1878,  the  company,  under  com- 
mand of  Capt.  McKnight,  took  part  in  the  removal  of  the  old  bat- 
tle flags  and  trophies  from  the  old  Arsenal,  in  Springfield,  to  Me- 
morial Hall,  in  the  neAV  capital  building.  Decoration  day  Avas  ob- 
served by  this  company  May  30th,  1878.  July  1st,  1879,  Capt.  S. 
AIcKnight  Avas  appointed  inspector  of  rifle  jiractice  for  the  5th 
Regt.,  Avhich  imsition  he  now  holds.  At  an  election  held  to  fill 
vacancy,  James  S Culver  Avas  elected  Captain,  AA’’m.  H.  Kaup  1st 
Lieut.,  F.  L.  Parkison  2d  Lieut.,  subsequently  Lieutenant  Kaup 
resigned  and  Sergt.  G N.  Burleigh  Avas  elected  to  fill  the  vacancy. 
The  jiresent  officers  are  James  S.  Culver,  Capt.  ; G.  N.  Burleigh, 
1st  Lieut.;  F.  L.  Parkison,  2d  Lieut.,  an  old  soldier  and  officer  in 
the  Avar  of  the  rebellion.  The  company  is  in  good  condition,  and 
deserves  Avell  of  the  citizens  of  Taylorville. 


BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES. 


The  sul)ject  of  this  sketch  is  a native  of  Indiana,  born  in  Wash- 
ington oonnty,  iNrarch  12th,  1810.  Tlie  Vandcvccr  family  were 
originaily  from  Xorlli  Carolina;  moved  to  Kentucky,  then  to  In- 
diana; and  in  tlic  fall  of  1829  his  father,  Lev.  Aaron  Vandeveer, 
<-arne  with  his  family  to  Illinoi.^,  and  settled  on  n farm  on  Clear 
creek  in  Sangamon  county.  The  country  was  .sj)arsely  settled,  and 
the  means  for  obtaining  an  education  limited.  Here  and  there  over 
the  country  was  a subscription-school;  the  teacher,  “boarding 
around,”  taught  on  the  principle  of  the  three  “ K’s.”  It  was  in  one 
ofthe.se  log-cabin  schools  that  he  entered,  and  after  a three-months’ 
course  graduated.  His  parents  were  j)oor,  and  of  ncce.«sity  rc(|uired 
their  sons  to  labor  constantly  on  the  farm  to  aid  in  sn])porting  their 
large  family.  He  thus  toiled  jiiost  of  the  time  till  he  was  twenty- 
one  years  of  age.  Hci  is  emphatically  a self  made  man,  and  the 
nio.st  of  his  eilucation  was  obtained  by  stndiouslv  devoting  to  his 
books  all  the  .“pare  time  at  his  disposal.  He  ac(piircd  a taste  for 
reading  early  in  life,  and  by  close  and  a.ssiduous  study  attracted  the 
attention  of  lion.  .lolui  T.  Stuart,  (tf  Springfield,  Illinois,  who  ten- 
dered him  the  use  of  his  valuable  library,  by  which  means  he  was 
1 1 M 


able  to  gain  considerable  legal  knowledge.  He  remembers  the 
kindness  of  Mr.  Stuart  with  the  most  grateful  thanks,  and  always 
speaks  of  this  gentleman  as  his  friend  and  benefactor. 

As  is  the  custom  of  most  indigent  young  men,  he,  too,  played  the 
part  of  the  “.school-master”  for  a time.  In  the  year  1836  he  taught 
in  a log  school-house  on  Andy  Finley’s  farm,  some  twelve  miles 
west  of  Taylorville,  then  in  the  county  of  Sangamon.  The  building 
was  made  in  regular  pioneer  log-cabin  style,  without  the  use  of  a 
nail,  with  a large  fire-place,  and  a log  .some  ten  or  fifteen  feet  long 
cut  out  of  the  side  for  a window,  using  oiled  jiapcr  for  window- 
panes.  His  was  a suEscription-sehool  of  three  months  in  the  year, 
terms  $2  ])er  epiarter  for  each  scholar  and  board  around.  The  latter 
arrangement  did  not  suit  his  genius  or  taste,  as  it  frittered  away  too 
much  time,  which  he  wished  to  devote  to  the  study  of  his  chosen 
profe.ssion  of  law.  To  obviate  this  difhcnlty,  he  put  up  a log-cabin 
10.vl2  feet  in  size  on  his  farm  adjacent,  and  “ kej)t  bach.”  Thus 
he  pa.s.scd  one  or  two  years,  farming  in  the  summer,  teaching  in  the 
winter,  and  n'ading  during  his  leisure'  hours.  The  Judge  had  a great 
aversion,  then  as  now,  to  seeing  idlers  around  him  consuming  da}'- 


HISTORY  OF  CHRISTIAN  COUNTY,  ILLINOIS. 


119 


light  to  no  profit.  In  all  such  cases  he  would  press  them  into  ser- 
vice, and  with  astonishing  success. 

He  remembers  his  milling  experience  in  earlier  years.  Corn  was 
shelled  by  scraping  it  on  the  back-edge  of  a knife  driven  into  the 
end  of  a board,  and  in  the  absence  of  any  contrivance  of  this  sort, 
the  fire-shovel  was  used  over  the  wash-tub.  Wash-tubs  were  impro- 
vised by  sawing  a barrel  in  two.  The  older  boys  generally  went  to 
mill  on  horseback,  mounted  on  a two-bushel  bag  of  grain — and 
occasionally  it  would  not  be  very  well  adjusted,  when  it  caused  the 
boys  a great  deal  of  trouble.  They  usually  kept  one  grist  at  the 
mill,  thus  having  a load  each  way.  They  often  had  to  go  a long 
distance  to  mill. 

In  time  he  was  admitted  to  the  practice  of  law.  His  first  case 
was  in  the  Circuit  Court  of  Sangamon  county,  in  Springfield.  He 
was  employed  hy  the  widow  of  Samuel  Miller,  deceased,  to  institute 
suit  against  Je.sse  Hanon,  Sr.,  to  compel  a more  faithful  ad- 
ministration of  his  trust.  This  caused  the  young  barrister  to  appear 
before  the  able  and  intelligent  bar  at  the  capital  of  the  state,  then 
composed  of  such  men  as  Lincoln,  Logan,  Baker,  Lambourn,  and 
others,  where  he  distinguished  himself  in  managing  the  case  to  a 
successful  issue.  This  triumph  was  as  gratifying  to  his  old  neigh- 
bors as  it  was  stimulating  to  his  own  future  success.  He  partici- 
pated in  the  organization  of  the  county,  and  at  the  first  election 
held  on  the  1st  of  April,  1839,  was  elected  “County  Recorder,”  and 
a few  days  thereafter  appointed  by  the  County  Court  scliool  com- 
missioner, which  caused  his  removal  to  the  county  seat.  On  the  1st 
of  June  of  the  same  year  he  was  appointed  by  Judge  Treat  clerk  of 
the  Circuit  Court,  which  office  he  held  for  many  years.  He  was 
elected  a member  of  the  House  of  Representatives  in  1842  over 
Martin  White,  the  former  representative,  and  Henry  T.  Luckett — 
both  popular  men.  On  his  return  home,  at  the  close  of  the  session 
in  1843,  he  Avas  reappointed  clerk  of  the  Circuit  Court;  being  a 
member  of  the  legislature,  he  was  ineligible,  for  the  time  being,  to 
hold  the  office.  In  the  same  year  he  was  elected  justice  of  the 
peace.  He  was  subsequently  appointed  post-master  of  Taylorville, 
which  office  he  held  for  many  years.  The  older  inhabitants  remem- 
ber its  being  kept  in  the  clerk’s  office  up-stairs,  in  the  old  Court 
House,  then  the  most  public  place  of  resort  in  the  town. 

In  1846  he  answered  to  the  first  call  of  his  country,  and  raised  a 
company  for  the  Mexican  war,  and  was  elected  its  captain.  When 
beating  up  for  recruits  several  public  meetings  were  held  in  the 
Court  House,  and  some  amusing  as  well  as  patriotic  speeches  were 
made.  The  company  was  rejected  by  the  Government,  as  the  qu.)ta 
of  the  state  under  the  call  of  the  government  was  full.  He  was 
shortly  afterward  appointed  by  President  Polk  as  assistant  quarter- 
master in  the  United  States  Army,  with  the  rank  of  captain.  He 
had  the  command  of  his  department  under  Col.  W.  B.  Warren,  of 
Jacksonville,  in  his  forced  march  from  Mojidova  to  Saltillo,  and  so 
discharged  his  duties  as  to  receive  high  commendation  from  Col. 
Warren,  He  was  in  the  battle  of  Buena-Vista,  and  was  acting  as 
aid  on  the  staff  of  General  Taylor,  Capt.  Vandeveer  does  not  claim 
to  have  been  able  to  distinguish  himself  in  the  army,  where  there 
were  so  many  eminent  soldiers,  but  he  feels  that  he  di.'^charged  ffie 


duties  of  his  office  to  the  satisfaction  of  each  of  his  commanding 
officers,  and  had  their  confidence  and  respect,  and  particularly  that 
of  Col.  Warren  and  Gov.  Bissell. 

On  his  return  home,  at  the  close  of  the  war,  his  name  was  pro- 
minently mentioned  as  a candidate  for  Congress.  And  at  the 
democratic  convention  held  shortly  afterward  at  Shelbyville,  after 
numerous  ballotings  for  the  various  aspirants,  he  would  have  been 
nominated  on  the  next  ballot  had  he  not  stepped  Avithin  the  bar 
and  peremptorily  requested  the  AvithdraAA’al  of  his  name  from  the 
contest,  greatly  to  the  disappointment  of  his  friends.  He  AA’as  chosen 
one  of  thq,  democratic  electors  in  1848 ; Avas  elected,  and  cast  his 
vote  for  General  LeAvis  Cass.  It  Avas  a sore  trial  as  against  his  old 
commander,  General  Taylor,  of  Mexican  Avar  fame. 

In  1849  he  Avas  elected  judge  of  the  County  Court  of  this  county 
under  the  neAvly-adopted  constitution,  and  Avas  elected  to  the  same 
office  in  1853.  He  held  the  office  for  a term  of  eight  years,  and 
during  that  time  disj^layed  for  his  county  some  of  the  powers  he  is 
supposed  to  use  Avith  success  in  his  private  business.  Although  the 
county  Avas  conqiaratively  neA\',  and  in  a monetary  point  of  vieAV 
poor,  he  and  his  associates  erected  the  present  fine  Court  House,  at 
a cost  of  about  $16,000,  and  paid  for  it  as  the  Avork  Avas  done,  Avhile 
many  other  counties  in  the  state,  more  favorably  situated,  are  in 
debt  for  their  public  buildings.  In  the'  other  duties  devolving  upon 
him,  not  only  in  current  county  affairs,  but  in  the  probate  depart- 
ment, he  displayed  equal  skill  and  good  judgment  in  his  \mrious  de- 
cisions. 

After  his  return  from  Mexico  in  1847  he  resumed  the  practice  of 
his  profession,  and  lias  stood  at  the  head  of  the  bar  as  a successful 
practitioner  for  over  a quarter  of  a century. 

In  November,  1860,  he  Avas  elected,  for  the  second  time,  a mem- 
ber of  the  House  of  Representatives  from  Christian  and  Mont- 
gomery counties.  It  Avas  during  this  time  that  the  civil  Avar 
commenced,  demanding  legislative  skill  and  judgment,  Avhich 
he  possessed  in  an  eminent  degree,  commanding  the  confidence  and 
respect  of  the  members  of  that  body.  He  Avas  severe  in  his  remarks 
on  the  rotten,  broken  banks,  and  on  all  occasions  voted  for  a sound, 
reliable,  constitutional  medium  of  exchange.  Perhaps  a better  idea 
of  the  character  and  standing  of  Mr.  Vandeveer,  as  a member,  may 
be  gathered  from  an  article  Avritten  by  a correspondent  of  the  St. 
Louis  Republican,  under  the  title  of  “ Sketches  by  a Lobbyist,”  Avho 
thus  speaks:  “Judge  Vandeveer,  of  Christian,  is  one  of  the  active, 
thinking,  and  Avorking  members  of  the  House  of  Representatives. 
He  is  not  much  given  to  speech-making,  but  Avhen  he  does  he  com- 
mands the  individual  attention  of  the  Avhole  house.  He  is  a laAvyer 
by  profession,  and  generally  participates  in  the  debates  Avhen  legal 
questions  are  before  the  house ; is  posted  upon  all  matters  of  gene- 
ral interest,  understands  the  Avants  of  his  constituents,  and  is  an 
able  and  efficient  representative.  He  is  a man  of  fine  appearance, 
unquestionable  integrity,  and  acknoAvledged  ability ; is  a stanch 
democrat,  and  ahvays  votes  the  straight  ticket.  He  occupies  a 
high  position  in  the  affections  of  his  people,  and  has  several  times 
been  solicited  to  run  for  Congress,  but  as  often  refused.  His 
socisvl  qualities  are  of  the  most  agreeable  order:  he  is  a warm- 


120 


HISTORY  OF  CHRISTIAN  COUNTY,  ILLINOIS. 


hearted  friend,  but  is  inde25endent  and  decided  enough  to  determine 
what  is  right.” 

In  1862  he  was  elected  to  the  State  Senate  from  the  district  com- 
posed of  the  counties  of  Macoupin,  Montgomery,  Christian  and 
Shelby.  A long  experience  in  business,  and  a general  knowledge 
of  men  and  things,  acquired  by  contact  with  the  realities  of  life, 
enabled  him  to  be  a useful  member  of  the  Senate.  He  participated 
in  many  of  the  discussions  before  this  body,  and  commanded  its  at- 
tention and  respect.  Many  of  his  speeches  have  been  highly  spoken 
of,  and  have  occasionally  been  illuminated  with  flashes  of  genius 
that  would  do  honor  to  any  man.  The  leading  trait  of.his  charac- 
ter is  his  strong  and  unswerving  will.  He  never  abandons  a posi- 
tion once  taken.  This  quality  has  the  eflect  in  his  case,  as  it  has 
had  in  all  others,  to  make  him  warm  friends  and  bitter  enemies. 
He  is  an  ardent  democrat  of  the  old  school,  and  has  an  abiding 
faith  in  democratic  principles. 

In  June,  1870,  he  was  elected  judge  of  the  Tenth  Judicial  Cir- 
cuit, embracing  the  counties  of  Cliristian,  Montgomery,  Fayette  and 
Shelby,  to  fill  the  vacancy  caused  by  the  resignation  of  Judge  Rice. 
Was  again  elected  without  opposition  in  1873  for  a term  of  six 
years.  As  a presiding  judicial  officer  he  has  rendered  general  satis- 
faction, and  won  golden  opinions  from  the  members  of  the  bar  and 
others  interested. 

Judge  Yandevecr  came  to  the  bench  directly  from  a large  prac- 
tice. He  is  a good  lawyer,  and  possesses  by  nature  a strong,  clear, 


and  vigorous  intellect.  He  is  a close  thinker,  stands  well  as  a judge, 
and  has  rendered  many  important  decisions.  His  manner  is  plain, 
with  no  attempt  at  a flourish  of  language  or  oratorical  skill. 

Judge  II.  M.  Vandeveer  was  happily  married  in  the  spring  of 
1841  to  Miss  Mary  Jane  Rucker.  She  is  a native  of  Kentucky,  but 
was  a resident  of  Christian  county,  Illinois,  at  the  time  of  her  mar- 
riage. Five  children  are  the  fruits  of  this  union,  three  of  whom  are 
living,  viz.,  William  T.  and  Eugene  A.,  who  are  jointly  engaged  in 
the  banking  business  in  Taylorville,  under  the  firm  name  of  H.  M. 
Vandeveer  & Co. ; and  Lizzie  J.,  who  is  yet  beneath  the  parental 
roof. 

Judge  H.  M.  Vandeveer  is  a representative  Western  man, 
and  one  who,  by  the  sheer  foree  of  indomitable  will,  industry,  and 
perseverance,  has  risen  from  the  depths  of  comparative  obscurity, 
and  made  for  himself  a name  and  honorable  position  among  men. 
His  has  been  the  most  familiar  and  prominent  name  in  Christian 
county  for  nearly  a half  century.  The  history  of  one  can  almost  be 
traced  in  the  other.  From  the  organization  of  the  county  town  to 
a recent  date,  he  has  been  in  one  way  or  another  identified  and  con- 
nected with  its  civil  history.  In  its  political  history  he  has  been  a 
central  figure,  wielding  more  influence  and  directing  more  successes 
than  any  other  citizen  of  the  county.  He  was  always  a trusted 
leader  and  safe  counsellor. 

The  world's  measure  of  success,  is  success.  Measured  by  this 
standard,  Judge  Vandeveer  is  one  of  the  successful  men  of  Illinois. 


HISTORY  OF  CHRISTIAN  COUNTY,  ILLINOIS. 


121 


Was  born  in  Sangamon  county,  Illinois,  January  23d,  1832.  His 
father,  Daniel  McCaskill,  was  of  Scotch  parentage.  They  came  to 
America  about  the  close  of  the  Revolutionary  war,  and  settled  in 
Korth  Carolina.  Daniel  McCaskill  became  a resident  of  Illinois. 
He  subsequently  removed  to  Brown  county  in  this  state,  where 
he  died  in  1851.  He  was  a Methodist  minister,  and  also  a 
physician,  and  practiced  his  profession,  more  or  less,  for  the  greater 
part  of  his  life.  He  married  Esther  Turner,  a native  of  Virginia. 
She  died  in  1864.  There  were  nine  children,  eight  of  whom  sur- 
vived the  parents.  Alexander  is  the  fourth  in  the  family.  He 
spent  his  youth  upon  the  farm  and  attending  the  schools  during  the 
winter  months.  When  he  arrived  at  his  twentieth  year  he  left  home 
and  attended  schools  at  Mt.  Sterling,  111.,  and  prepared  himself  for 
the  profession  of  law.  He  spent  the  following  six  years  in  attend- 
ing and  teaching  school,  and  in  reading  law.  A portion  of  that 
time  was  spent  in  the  law  office  of  Judge  Bailey,  Van  Vleck  and 
Wells,  of  McComb,  Illinois.  He  was  admitted  to  the  bar  in  1857, 
and  commenced  the  practice  of  his  profession  immediately  there- 
after in  Prairie  city,  McDonough  county,  Illinois.  In  the 
year  of  his  admission  he  came  to  Taylorville,  where  he  continued 
the  practice  until  the  spring  of  1859,  when,  in  company  with  his 
brother  and  three  others,  he  determined  to  go  to  Pike’s  Peak,  in  quest 
of  gold.  They  provided  an  outfit,  and  the  trip  was  pleasantly  and 
safely  made.  After  their  arrival  at  the  Peak  the  subject  of  this 
sketch  commenced  mining  for  gold,  in  which  he  was  tolerably  suc- 
16 


cessful.  He  remained  there  until  the  fall  of  the  same  year,  when 
he  returned  to  Brown  county,  Illinois,  and,  in  the  spring  of  1860^ 
again  went  to  the  Peak  and  remained  there  until  1861,  when 
he  came  back  to  Taylorville  and  resumed  the  practice  of  law,  in 
which  he  has  continued,  with  but  slight  interriqjtiou,  up  to  the  pre- 
sent time.  In  1865  he  was  appointed,  by  the  county  court,  to  fill  out 
the  unexpired  term  of  the  County  Superintendent  of  schools.  In 
the  fall  of  the  same  year  he  was  elected  to  a full  term  of  the  office, 
and  continued  Superintendent  until  1869.  He  then  resumed  the 
practice.  In  the  summer  of  1872  he  w'as  appointed  State’s  Attor- 
ney for  the  county,  and  at  the  general  election,  in  the  fall  of  the 
same  year,  was  elected  to  fill  that  position  for  four  years.  In  1877 
he  was  nominated  by  the  democratic  party,  in  convention  assembled, 
for  the  office  of  County  Judge,  and  was  elected,  and  is  now  dis- 
charging the  duties  of  that  office  in  a manner  that  justifies  the  wis- 
dom of  those  who  honored  him  with  their  suffrages.  In  politics  he 
has  always  been  an  uncompromising  democrat,  and  has,  on  all  oc- 
casions, given  his  adhesion  to  that  political  organization.  He  has 
been  twice  married  In  1856  he  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss 
Elvina  Metcalf,  a native  of  ^IcDonough  county,  Illinois.  She  died 
in  1862.  In  1864  he  married  Mrs.  Elizabeth  Hedd  nee  Maxwell. 
By  the  first  marriage  there  were  two  children,  both  boys,  named 
William  H.,  and  Davy  McCaskill.  By  the  second  he  had  tw’O 
children  named  Thomas  Eddie  and  Carrie,  only  daughter.  The 
latter  died  November  21st,  1879,  in  the  fifth  year  of  her  age. 


122 


HISTORY  OF  CHRISTIAN  COUNTY,  ILLINOIS. 


A NATIVE  of  Aberdeenshire,  Scotland,  was  born  Dec.  2,  18.39.  His 
father’s  name  was  Samuel  Taylor.  He  married  Isabella  Lawrence, 
both  of  whom  died  while  James  M.  was  yet  young.  He  attended 
the  village  schools  during  the  winter  seasons  and  herded  sheep  in 
the  summer  months.  In  the  spring  of  1854,  while  yet  in  his 
fifteenth  year,  he  left  his  native  land  and  came  to  America,  land- 
ing in  Quebec  in  .lune,  and  from  there  went  direct  to  Waukegan, 
Lake  county,  Illinois.  There  he  worked  upon  a farm,  and  in  the 
winter  months  attended  school. 

In  the  fall  of  1856  he  went  to  La  Crosse,  Wis.,  where  he  worked 
in  a mill,  and  remained  there  till  about  September  1st,  1857.  In 
the  winters  of  1858,  ’59,  ’60  and  ’61  he  taught,  and  in  the  summer 
of  those  years  attended  Kenosha  High  School  or  Waukegan  Aca- 
demy, and  by  that  means  perfected  his  education.  On  the  1st  of 
August,  1862,  he  eidisted  as  a private  in  Comi)any  C,  96th  Illinois 
Volunteer  Infantry,  Col.  Thomas  E.  Chaj)inan,  commanding.  He 
served  with  the  regiment,  and  participated  in  most  of  its  engage- 
ments until  wounded.  He  had  been  i)romotcd  to  second  sergeant, 
and  was  in  line  of  promotion,  when,  unfortunately  for  him,  he  was 
struck  in  the  right  elbow  with  a rifle  ball  while  in  lino  of  battle  at 
lluzzard’s  Roost  or  Kocky  Face  Kidgc.  He  was  wounded  on  the 
9th  of  May,  1864,  and  suffered  amputation  of  the  arm  on  the  27th 
of  the  .«ame  month.  lie  was  discharged  from  the  .service  iMarch 
20th,  1865.  A younger  brother,  John  Y.  Taylor,  also  a member  of 
tbe  same  comj)any,  was  woufided  at  the  battle  of  Chickamauga,  and 
lost  his  right  arm.  He  afterwards  died  from  his  wounds.  After 
]\Ir.  Taylor  was  discharge*!  from  the  service  he  returned  to  Lake 
county  and  attended  school  during  the  summer  and  winter  of  1865. 


In  January,  1866,  he  entered  the  law  office  of  Messrs.  Blodget, 
Upton  and  Williams,  of  Waukegan,  and  commenced  the  study  of 
law.  He  was  admitted  to  practice  in  1868  at  the  spring  term  of 
the  Supreme  Court  at  Ottawa.  In  the  fall  of  the  same  year  he 
came  to  Taylorville,  and  commenced  the  practice  here  in  connec- 
tion with  Andrew  Simpson,  Avith  Avhora  he  formed  a laiv  partner- 
shi]),  which  continued  for  two  years  till  January  1st,  1870.  He 
then  resumed  the  practice  of  his  profession  alone,  and  has  so  con- 
tinued to  the  present.  In  1872  he  purchased  a set  of  title  abstracts 
of  II.  P.  and  D.  D.  Shumway,  and  has  pur.'*ued  that  business  in 
connection  with  his  law  practice. 

lie  was  married  on  the  26th  of  November,  1868,  to  Miss  Adelia 
A.  Stewart,  of  Waukegan,  Illinois.  Her  father.  Philander  Stewart, 
is  an  old  resident  and  prominent  man  of  the  northern  part  of  the 
state.  He  is  of  Scotch  ancestry,  and  Avas  a native  of  Western  NeAV 
York.  PiA'c  children  haA'e  been  born  to  James  M.  and  Adelia  A. 
Taylor — three  boys  and  tAvo  girls.  Their  names  are  Samuel  StCAvart, 
May  F.,  Mabel  G.,  Leslie  James,  and  John  W.  Taylor. 

In  politics  iNIr.  Taylor  is  an  ardent  and  active  re2)ublican.  He 
Avas  for  six  years  chairman  of  the  rej)ublican  county  central  com- 
mittee. He  ca.st  his  first  presidential  vote  for  Abraham  Lincoln, 
and  since  then  has  stood  by  the  jairty  of  his  fir.st  choice. 

During  his  residence  in  AVaukegan  he  Avas  Dejmty  Collector  of 
Customs  under  Judge  Scates,  and  such  Avas  his  superior’s  confidence 
in  his  honesty  that  he  Avas  not  reciuircd  to  give  a bond. 

As  a hiAvyer,  Mr.  4'aylor  takes  front  rank  at  the  bar  of  Christian 
county.  In  his  manners  ho  is  a social  and  agreeable  gentleman, 
ami  is  reganled  as  an  ui)right  and  honorable  citizen. 


Residence  of  M.C.  LO  NQ,  Taylo  r vi  lu,  III. 


■> 


r(M  L»K«n 

o(  tt>« 

)fiiv«r«ity  of  Ufft'®f*' 


HISrORY  OF  CHRISTIAN  COUNTY,  ILLINOIS. 


123 


Book-makers,  and  the  compilers  of  local  history,  like  the  manu- 
facturers of  other  articles,  are  guided,  in  a measure,  by  the  taste  of 
the  public,  and  are  often  compelled  to  accede  to  its  demands. 
Never  before,  however,  have  the  writers  of  county  history  been  re- 
quired, by  public  sentiment,  to  make  a record  of  one  who  came  into 
the  county  a stranger,  and  almost  a boy,  with  no  introduction  but 
his  face  and  manners,  and  no  capital  but  his  health,  his  honor  and 
his  intellect,  and  left  it  before  he  reached  the  meridian  of  his  man- 
hood. 

And  yet,  in  compliance  with  such  a sentiment — such  a public 
wish — we  insert  in  this  volume  a brief  biography  of  William  H. 
Kirkwood.  He  was  born  on  the  31st  day  of  May,  1844,  in  Ross 
county,  Ohio ; the  third  son  of  Charles  and  Hannah  Kirkwood. 
His  two  elder  brothers  died  in  infancy.  Shortly  after  William’s 
birth  his  father  moved  to  Chillicothe  and  became  a merchant,  but 
by  endorsing  heavily  for  a friend,  was  soon  involved  in  debt,  and 
with  the  loss  of  his  property,  lost  his  ambition  and  energy.  The 
family  then  moved  to  Circleville,  where,  after  five  years  of  extreme 
poverty,  his  father  died. 

At  the  tender  age  of  eight  years  he  was  left  with  his  brave- 
hearted  mother  to  begin  the  battle  of  life,  and,  as  best  he  could,  to 
keep  from  their  door  the  hungry  wolf  of  poverty,  which  so  long 
had  stood  glancing  and  impatient  in  the  yard.  He  was  employed 
for  four  months  by  a wealthy  lady  to  drive  cows  to  pasture,  at 
seventy-five  cents  a month.  He  was  then  engaged  for  two  years  as 
a message  boy  in  the  telegraph  office  at  five  dollars  a month,  and 
was  instructed  by  the  kind  operator  in  writing  and  arithme- 
tic. A railroad  was  built  into  Circleville,  and  he  became  a news- 
boy and  fruit  dealer.  He  was  encouraged  and  patronized  by  every 
body,  and  had  some  opportunity  for  culture. 

The  sun  of  prosperity  began  at  last  to  shine  on  his  pathway. 


When  the  war  broke  out  his  busine.ss  so  increased  that  he  could 
employ  an  assistant,  and  his  profits  were  often  $150  per  month. 

When  about  twelve  years  old,  while  bathing  in  the  Scioto  river, 
he  saved  the  life  of  George  Crouse,  and  this  incident,  when  related 
in  Kirkwood’s  picturesque  language  and  animated  style,  is  one  of 
the  most  interesting  and  romantic  in  his  history.  It  proved  him  to 
be  a brave  and  manly  boy,  won  him  the  favor  and  support  of  a 
wealthy  and  cultivated  family,  opening  to  him  the  avenues  of 
refined  society. 

At  the  age  of  seventeen  he  enlisted  in  the  three  months’  service 
under  Capt.  “Don”  Piatt,  in  Co.  C,  13th  Regt.  O.  V.  I.,  as  drum- 
mer boy,  and  remained  at  Camp  Dennison  until  discharged.  He 
re-enlisted  as  a private  in  Co.  C,  61st  Regt.  O.  V.  I.,  and  served 
under  Fremont  in  Shenandoah  Valley,  in  1862,  and  after  the  bat- 
tle of  Cross  Keys,  crossed  the  Blue  Ridge  and  served  under  Pope 
through  the  memorable  campaign  which  ended  with  the  second  bat- 
tle of  Bull  Run.  He  was  first  made  Corporal,  then  Sergeant,  1st 
Lieutenant  and  Captain  of  his  company. 

He  fought  under  IMcClellan,  at  Antietam  ; under  Burnside,  at 
Fredericksburg;  under  Fighting  Joe  Hooker,  at  Chancellorsville, 
and  under  Meade,  at  Gettysburg — went  south  with  Hooker  and 
fought  at  Look-out  Mountain,  in  the  battle  above  the  clouds  and  in 
the  battle  of  Mission  Ridge,  and  then  proceeded  to  Knoxville  to 
the  relief  of  Burnside,  who  was  besieged  by  Longstreet. 

Their  time  having  expired.  Captain  Kirkwood  and  his  company 
veteranized  and  went  home  on  furlough — thirty  days — whose  im- 
mensity of  pleasures  and  glory  beggars  language  and  defies  descrip- 
tion. 

They  returned  to  duty  at  Rocky  Face,  Ga.,  and  marched  under 
Sherman  to  Atlanta,  and  “from  Atlanta  to  the  sea.”  At  Savan- 
nah he  was  made  Commissary  of  the  Brigade,  and  after  it  fell  Avent 


124 


HISTORY  OF  CHRISTIAN  COUNTY,  ILLINOIS. 


through  the  Caroliuasto  Washington  and  rejoined  tlie  Army  of  the 
Potomac.  He  was  discharged  at  Louisville,  Ky.,  August,  1865,  and 
thus  closed  his  long,  severe,  eventful  and  spotless  militar}'’  career' 

His  next  venture  was  in  the  oil  regions  of  Pennsylvania,  where 
he  lost  his  all  through  the  treachery  of  a friend.  He  went  to 
Cleveland,  and  from  there  started  for  Kansas  City,  but  was  forced 
to  go  into  winter  quarters  at  Pana,  111.,  for  want  of  funds.  He 
worked  for  his  board  during  the  winter  of  1866  and  ’67  for  John 
Hunter,  in  Shelby  county.  In  the  spring,  aided  by  Mr.  Hunter,  he 
opened  a three  horse  livery  stable  in  Assumption,  and  soon  after  a 
hack  line  to  Taylorville  (the  first  and  only  daily  line  to  that  place) 
which  line  was  maintained  until  superseded  by  the  railroad. 

In  1869  he  moved  to  Taylorville  and  continued  in  the  livery 
business  until  Nov.,  1873,  when  he  was  elected  County  Clerk  on 
the  democratic  ticket  by  an  unprecedented  majority  of  932  votes. 
For  four  yeai’s  he  served  the  people  of  this  county  as  County  Clerk, 
in  a most  satisfactory  manner.  As  an  officer  he  was  affable,  correct 
and  honest,  and  at  the  expiration  of  his  term  his  many  friends 
urged  him  to  become  a candidate  for  re-election.  But  wi.shing  to 
engage  in  regular  business,  he  declined  in  favor  of  Mr.  Whitmer, 
and  after  assisting  in  the  struggle  which  resulted  in  AVhitmer’s 
election,  he  moved  to  St.  Louis,  where  he  now  resides. 

“ Kirk’s  ” .strong  points  are  his  courage,  his  integrity  and  his 
brain.  He  is  formed  for  political  combinations  and  leadership. 
Nothing  escapes  his  eye  and  ear.  Nothing  slips  from  the  iron  gra.sp 
of  his  memory,  and  nothing  is  beyond  the  reach  of  his  shrewdness 
and  invention.  AVhile  others  sleep  he  labors,  and,  of  course,  where 
others  fail  he  succeeds. 

He  is  sometimes  too  frank  and  always  too  liberal — he  never  for- 
gets a friend,  and  sometimes,  it  is  whispered,  remembers  an  enemy. 

A penniless  boy,  he  forced  his  way  to  recognition  and  success, 
and  left  behind  him  a multitude  of  friends,  real  friends,  who  have 
confidence  that  hereafter,  as  heretofore,  he  will  never  shirk  a duty 
hoist  a white  flag  or  tarnish  the  purity  and  brightness  of  his  per- 
sonal honor. 


AIajok  J).  D.  SHUMWAY. — (Deceased). 

One  of  the  most  prominent  early  settlers  of  Christian  count}",  was 
IMajor  D.  I).  !^humway,  Avho  was  born  in  AVilliamsburg,  AVorcester 
county,  Alassachusetts,  September  28,  1813.  Attracted  by  the 
glowing  accounts  of  the  far  west,  he,  on  attaining  his  majority, 
emigrated  from  the  “granite  hills”  of  his  native  state  in  1834,  and 
settled  at  first  in  Zanesville,  Ohio,  where  he  remained  till  the  year 
1837,  when  he  removed  to  Zanesville,  Montgomery  county,  Illinois, 
and  embarked  in  mercantile  pursuits. 

On  the  3d  of  June,  1841,  he  was  married  to  Miss  Emily  R.  Roun- 
tree, daughter  of  the  late  lion.  Hiram  Rountree,  of  Hillsboro,  111. 
In  the  6j)ring  of  1843,  he  removed  to  Christian  county,  and  on  the 
wild  ])rairie  some  four  miles  east  of  Taylorville,  improved  a farm 
of  several  hundred  acres,  on  which  he  rc.sided  till  the  year  1851, 
when  he  became  a resident  of  Taylorville.  There  he  again  en- 
gaged in  mercantile  l)U8ine.s.s,  and  continued  with  marked  success 
till  18.58. 

'Hie  Major  was  accustomed  to  relate  the  following  rather  amus- 
ing incident:  When  his  first  goods  were  landed  in  Taylorville,  he 
w.'us  accosted  by  a sturdy-looking  blacksmith  with,  “ I say.  Major, 
have  you  got  any  vises  f ” 

Tlic  quick  retort  wa.s,  “No,  but  this  looks  like  the  jdacc  to  ac- 
quire some.” 

In  1858,  he  retired  from  active  life,  and  cxj)cndcd  a large  part  of 
his  accumulated  wealth  in  improving  his  landed  j>roperty,  and  espe- 
cially in  adorning  and  beautifying  his  homestead  adjacent  to  town. 


He  was  a gentleman  of  culture  and  taste,  and  it  was  one  of  the 
chief  purposes  of  his  life  to  make  his  home  pleasant  and  attractive 
to  his  family. 

He  was  a man  of  noble,  generous  disposition,  and  was  highly 
esteemed  by  his  fellow- citizens.  He  filled  with  honor  the  otfices  of 
County  Commissioner,  (Montgomery  county),  Major  of  State  Militia, 
and  County  Judge,  (Christian  county).  In  1845,  he  was  elected  to 
the  legislature  from  the  counties  of  Christian  and  Shelby,  and  at 
the  following  session  was  elected  clerk  of  the  State  Senate.  In  1848, 
he  was  elected  a member  of  the  State  Constitutional  Convention, 
and  was  prominent  in  the  important  deliberations  of  that  body. 

After  his  retirement  from  mercantile  pursuits,  he  commenced  the 
practice  of  law  to  the  reading  of  which  he  had  devoted  his  leisure 
hours  while  in  business. 

He  was,  in  fact,  a strictly  self-made  man,  his  qualifications  being 
such  as  to  fit  him  for  any  pursuit  or  position. 

He  possessed  one  of  the  finest  libraries  in  the  country,  and  his 
fund  of  information  on  all  the  leading  topics  of  the  day  was  as 
ample  as  his  collection  of  books  was  comiJete. 

At  the  time  of  his  death  and  for  many  years  previous,  he  was 
master  in  Chancery  of  the  county.  For  several  years  he  was  an 
honored  member  of  both  the  county  and  state  Agricultural  Societies, 
and  always  took  a lively  interest  in  the  firrming  pursuits  of  the  county. 

To  him  is  due  much  praise  for  advancing  the  material  prosperity 
of  this  town  and  county.  By  his  efibrts  and  speeches,  he  contributed 
very  largely  to  the  securing  of  railway  communication  through 
Christian  county,  and  gave  liberally  of  his  time  and  means  to  all 
public  enterprises,  thus  proving  himself  to  be  not  only  a public- 
spirited  man  but  a noble  benefactor  of  his  race.  AVhile  a member 
of  the  state  legislature,  he  never  failed  to  guard  the  interests  of  his 
own  district,  and  to  advocate  wise  and  prudent  legislation  for  all 
parts  of  this  great  commonwealth. 

The  location  of  the  Terre  Haute  and  St.  Louis  Railroad  through 
the  south-eastern  part  of  his  county,  at  that  time,  a wild  unsettled 
region,  was  accomplished  by  his  untiring  energy  and  legislative 
strategy. 

Otherwise  Christian  county  would  have  been  deprived  of  this  im- 
portant medium  of  travel  and  traffic,  and  of  the  flourishing  towns 
of  Pana  and  Rosemond.  He  became  also  one  of  the  incorporators 
and  directors  of  the  Springfield  and  South-eastern  Railroad.  He 
held  and  discharged  the  duties  of  many  minor  offices  always  with 
honor  and  fidelity,  never  betraying  any  trust  reposed  in  him  by  his 
fellow-citizens.  The  IMajor  devoted  much  time  to  the  iutcrests  of 
Masonry. 

In  1839,  he  was  made  a master  Mason,  and  was  a charter  member 
of  Mound  Lodge  and  tlic  Taylorville  Chapter,  and  after  serving  his 
Lodge  as  AVorshij)l'ul  Alaster  for  eighteen  successive  years,  he  was 
complimented  on  his  retiring  therefrom  with  a Past  Master’s  Jewel. 
He  was  High  Priest  of  the  Chapter  at  the  time  of  his  death,  and 
was  buried  with  Alasonic  honors. 

He  contril)uted  freely  to  the  AI.  E.  Church  at  Taylorville,  and 
sad  to  relate  his  was  the  first  corj)se  borne  from  the  sanctuary  his 
own  hands  had  helped  to  erect.  His  death  occurred  Alay  9,  1870. 
On  the  day  of  his  funeral,  the  stores,  sliops  and  public  buildings 
closed  their  doors,  that  all  might  pay  the  last  sad  tribute  of  respect 
to  departed  worth,  and  mingle  their  tears  and  symi)athy  with  the 
bereaved  family.  His  widow  still  survives,  and  his  seven  children, 
as  follows:  Hiram  P.  Shumway,  John  N.  C-  Shumway,  D.  Dwight 
Shumway,  Augustus  I’.  Sliumway,  Nellie  Shumway. 

Airs.  Sarah  Aloorc,  wife  of  I).  'L  Aloorc,  of  Nebraska,  and  Airs. 
Nannie  AVeber,  wife  of  Geo.  AV.  AVeber, — all  am])ly  j)rovidcd  with 
the  comforts  of  life. 


HISTORY  OF  CHRISTIAN  COUNTY,  ILLINOIS. 


125 


The  Squier  family  are  natives  of  New  Jersey.  David  F.,  tlie 
father  of  John  J.,  emigrated  from  that  state  to  Ohio  at  an  early 
day.  He  remained  there  until  1844,  when  he  came  to  Illinois,  and 
settled  in  Stonington  township,  Christian  county.  He  subsequently 
removed  to  Taylorville,  where  he  died  in  1854.  He  engaged  in 
farming  until  his  removal  to  Taylorville,  after  which  he  followed 
merchandizing.  He  married  Elizabeth  Smith,  who  was  also  a 
native  of  New  Jersey.  She  died  in  1879,  in  Taylorville.  There 
were  eight  children  by  this  union,  four  of  whom  have  survived  the 
parents.  The  subject  of  this  sketch  is  the  sixth  in  the  family.  He 
was  born  in  Sandusky  county,  Ohio,  February  18th,  1842.  He 
received  a good  education  in  the  schools  of  Christian  county.  At 
the  age  of  16  years  he  entered  the  circuit  clerk’s  office  of  this  county, 
where  he  continued  as  clerk  for  several  years.  He  then  taught 
school  for  a time,  worked  on  a farm,  and  afterwards  learned  j^ho- 
tography.  The  latter  business  he  continued  for  three  years.  In 
1866  he  purchased  a half  interest  in  the  Taylorville  Flag,  a Repub- 
lican newspaper,  printed  in  Taylorville,  the  name  of  which  was 
subsequently  changed  to  the  Republican,  and  which  still  continues 
as  the  principal  exponent  of  Republican  ideas  in  the  county.  lie 
became  sole  owner  of  the  journal  in  1867.  As  a newspaper  man, 
Mr.  Squier  has  demonstrated  his  ability  to  run  a newspaper  suc- 
cessfully. He  early  recognized  the  fact  that  in  that  business  it  requires 
close  and  careful  management,  and  good  business  qualifications  if 
success  was  to  be  attained.  The  latter  qualification  he  posse, sses 
in  an  eminent  degree.  As  a writer,  Mr.  Squier  is  about  the  average. 


and  hs- makes  his  journal  interesting  and  instructive  to  his  readers. 
Politically,  the  Republican  wields  an  influence  second  to  no  other 
journal  in  the  district.  In  1872,  Mr.  Squier  was  appointed  posh- 
master  by  President  Grant,  and  re-appointed  in  1877,  and  at  present 
exercises  and  performs  the  arduous  and  perplexing  duties  of  that 
office,  to  the  entire  satisfaction  of  the  people  of  this  vicinity.  On  the 
5th  day  of  October,  1871,  he  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Anna 
Anderson.  She  is  a native  of  Indiana,  but  was  a resident  of  Tay- 
lorville at  the  time  of  her  marriage.  Four  children,  three  of  whom 
are  living,  are  the  fruits  of  this  union.  In  politics,  it  will  be  readily 
known  that  Mr.  Squier  is  a republican.  He  cast  his  first  presi- 
dential vote  for  the  martyr  Lincoln,  in  1864,  and  since  that  time 
he  can  be  2)laced  with  the  stalwarts  of  that  political  organization. 
He  is  an  honored  and  active  member  of  the  ancient  and  honorable 
order  of  Freemasonry.  Besides  the  j^ublishing  of  his  paper  and 
duties  of  postmaster,  he  is  a member  of  the  firm  of  Simpson  & Squier, 
dealers  in  books,  periodicals  and  notions.  Thus  have  we  briefly 
sketched  the  life  of  Mr.  Squier.  In  his  manners,  he  is  of  pleasing  ad- 
dress and  unjiretentious  style,  of  rather  a reticent  and  retiring  disjiosi- 
tion.  As  stated  above,  he  is  possessed  of  more  than  ordinary  business 
qualifications,  and,  being  a man  of  energy,  ha.'S,  as  a matter  of  course, 
succeeded,  where  ]ierhaps  others  would  have  failed.  He  exhibits 
enterprise  and  skill  in  the  jmblication  of  his  journal,  and  is  fully 
abreast  with  the  times  in  all  new  ideas  in  the  progressive  art  of 
modern  journalism.  In  his  character  as  a man  and  citizen  he  bears 
an  honorable  record. 


126 


HISTORY  OF  CHRISTIAN  COUNTY,  ILLINOIS. 


The  ju’oseiit  efficient  Circuit  Clerk  w;is  horn  in  Montgomery 
county,  Illinois,  January  5th,  1831.  Henry  Hill,  his  father,  was  a 
native  of  South  Carolina.  The  Hill  family  removed  to  Kentucky 
and  settled  in  Warren  county,  and  in  182!)  came  to  Illinois  and 
settled  in  Montgomery  county,  where  they  remained  until  1842, 
when  they  removed  to  Fayette  county.  In  1856  Henry  HHl  came 
to  (Christian  county,  and  remained  here  until  1857,  when  he  re- 
turned to  ^Montgomery  county,  where  he  lived  until  his  death, 
which  occurred  in  .March,  1862.  He  was  hy  occupation  a farmer 
and  school-teacher.  Ho  married  lluth  Adams.  She  was  a native 
of  Virginia,  hut  a resident  of  • Warren  county,  Kentucky,  at  the 
date  of  his  marriage.  She  survived  her  hushand  hut  two  weeks, 
dying  in  the  same  month  and  year.  Fdeven  children  were  the 
fruits  of  that  marriage,  eight  of  whom  have  survived  the  ])arents. 
.loshiia  A.  is  the  third  in  the  family.  He,  in  his  youth,  received  a 
limited  education  in  the  common  schools  of  his  native  county, 
'fhe  schools,  and  educational  system  of  Illinois,  forty  years  ago, 
were  very  crude  and  imperfect,  as  compared  with  the  ])resent,  and 
the  youth  of  that  day  had  to  he  content  with  what  would  now  he 
reganled  as  a very  slight  education.  Mr.  Hill,  at  a comparativelv 
early  ag<',  heeame  self-supporting  and  reliant.  Ih;  workeil  upon  a 
farm,  and  when  the  Illinois  ('entral  railroad  was  in  progrc.ss  of 
huilding,  he  helped  to  grade  the  ti'aek  and  get  out  ties  upon  which 
to  |)laee  the  iron.  In  1852,  ami  prior  to  this,  he  came  to  4'aylor- 
ville  and  found  work,  and  assisted  in  getting  out  the  timhers  for 
tli<!  mill  that  >tof)d  in  tin;  west  |>art  of  the  town.  He  afterwar<l 
returneil  to  Fayette  county,  where  he  remained  until  Fehruary, 
1855,  when  he  moved  his  family  to,  and  |>ermanently  settled  in  this 
county.  I !<•  engaged  in  fanning  upon  his  arrival  here,  and  con- 
tinued in  that  oeeupation  foi-  a numlier  of  years.  I le  was  elected 
Ju'tiee  of  the  I ’eaee  t\\ ice.  He  was  the  fii’st  'I'own  (’nlleetor  of 


South  Fork  township,  under  the  township  organization  act.  In 
1867,  ’68,  he  was  Deputy  Sheriff  under  John  White,  and  in  1868 
was  elected  Sheriff,  and  remained  in  office  until  his  term  expired,  in 
1870.  He  then  engaged  in  mercantile  husiness  in  Taylorville  for 
a short  time,  when  he  went  to  his  farm  and  remained  there 
until  1874,  w hen  he  was  elected  Sheriff  of  the  county  for  the  second 
time,  and  that,  too,  without  op])osition.  He  remained  in  office 
tiutil  1876,  w hen  he  wms  elected  Circuit  Clerk,  and  at  present  dis- 
charges the  duties  of  that  office  in  a manner  that  gives  entire  satis- 
faction to  his  numerous  friends.  In  politics  Mr.  Hill  is  a democrat. 
He  east  his  first  vote  for  Franklin  Pierce,  in  1852,  and  since  that 
time  has  been  a reliable  and  consistent  member  of  that  political 
organization.  He  is  also  a member  of  the  A.  F.  A..  ]\I.  Lodge, 
both  Blue  Lodge  and  Chaj)ter.  On  the  22d  of  April,  1852, 
he  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Elizabeth  Casey,  a native  of 
Fayette  county.  111.  Her  father,  Thomas  Casey,  was  born  in  Ken- 
tucky. This  uiuon  has  been  blc.-^scd  with  six  children,  five  of  whom 
are  living.  .Martha,  the  eldest  daughter,  died  in  her  nineteenth 
year.  The  others  are  yet  beneath  the  parental  roof,  except  Sarah 
J.,  who  is  the  wife  of  I.  J.  Glass.  The  names  of  the  others  are, 
Mary  E.,  Amanda,  Emma,  and  Levi  luigene  Hill.  As  an  official 
of  the  county,  Mr.  Hill  possesses  the  entire  confidence  of  his  con- 
stituents. He  is  a reliable,  capable  and  trustworthy  servant  of  the 
]>eo|)Ie.  That  this  is  the  verdict  of  the  citizens  is  attested  bv  his 
frc(pient  elections  to  responsibh'  ofliees.  In  his  manners  he  is  a 
quiet,  unobtrusive  gentleman  and  a straightforward  man,  polite  and 
attentive  to  all  who  come  in  contact  with  him  in  his  official  j)osition. 
He  has  been  honored  by  his  fellow-citizens  by  being  elected  to  dif- 
fei'ent  offices,  fitr  which  he  returns  them  his  sincere  thanks,  and  in 
retiring  to  fanii-life  once  niort',  feels  the  proud  satisfaction  of 
knowing  that  he  carries  with  him  theirbest  wishes. 


HISTORY  OF  CHRISTIAN  COUNTY,  ILLINOIS. 


127 


This  gentleman  represents  the  substantial  farmers  and  pro- 
minent stock  dealers  of  Christian  county.  His  father,  Ste])hen  U. 
May,  removed  from  Kentucky  and  settled  near  Whitehall,  in 
Greene  county,  Illinois,  in  1842.  He  soon  after  removed  to  near 
Wilmington,  where  he  remained  until  his  death  in  1844.  He  mar- 
ried Elizabeth  J.  Allen,  who  was  also  a native  of  Kentucky.  She 
died  in  1849.  There  were  six  children  by  this  marriage,  three  of 
whom  are  living.  Thos.  G.  is  the  youngest  of  the  family,  and  was 
born  in  Butler  county,  Kentucky,  April  28th,  1837.  His  father 
and  mother  dying  while  he  was  yet  in  his  youth,  he  was  deprived  of 
the  advantages  of  even  a common  school  education.  He  was  thrown 
upon  his  own  resources,  and  was  compelled  to  provide  for  his  own 
maintenance,  at  an  age  when  youth  needs  the  kind  and  caressing 
hands  of  parental  affection.  But  if  he  was  disciplined  in  a 
hard  school,  it  taught  him  habits  of  self-reliance,  which  have  been 
of  service  to  him  in  every  subsequent  steji  in  life.  He  remained  in 
Greene  county  until  1856,  when  he  went  to  IMcLean  county,  in  this 
state,  and  worked  upon  a farm,  and  soon  afterward  leased  land  and 
engaged  in  farming,  and  so  continued  until  1862,  when  he  came  to 
Christian  county  and  settled  in  Taylorville  townsliip,  where  he  re- 
sides at  present.  During  his  residence  in  this  county  he  has  engaged 
in  agricultural  pursuits  and  live  stock  shipping.  In  the  latter 
business  he  has,  in  connection  Avith  others,  been  among  the  largest 
and  most  extensive  buyers  and  shippers  in  the  county. 

On  the  9th  of  Sejitember,  1858,  he  was  united  in  marriage  to 
Miss  Emeline  Simmons.  She  Avas  born  in  Indiana,  but  Avas  a resi- 
dent of  McLean  county  at  the  time  of  her  marriage.  By  this  union 
there  have  been  six  children,  four  of  Avhom  are  living.  Their  names 
are  John  Irvin,  James  T.,  Levi  A.  and  Minnie  Ellen. 


In  politics  he  Avas  formerly  a democrat,  and  cast  his  first  A-ote  for 
Stephen  A.  Douglass  for  President  in  1860 ; but  after  the  breaking 
out  of  the  Avar  he  arrayed  himself  on  the  side  of  the  party  of  the 
union  and  constitutional  liberty,  and  since  that  time  he  has  been  a 
consistent  and  reliable  member  of  the  republican  organization.  In 
1876  he  Avas  nominated  by  the  republican  party  of  Christian  county 
in  convention  assembled  for  the  office  of  Sheriff,  and  at  the  ensuing 
election  in  November  folloAving  was  elected  by  a handsome  majority, 
notAvithstanding  the  county  Avas  largely  democratic.  Another  eA'i- 
dence  of  his  popularity  and  standing  as  a citizen  of  the  county  Avas 
shoAvn  in  his  running  twelve  hundred  votes  ahead  of  his  party’s 
strength.  He  remained  in  office  and  discharged  the  duties  thereof 
in  a manner  that  gave  complete  satisfaction  to  those  Avho  had 
honored  him  Avith  their  suffrages ; and  Avhen  his  term  expired  he 
returned  to  his  farm  in  this  township,  Avhere  he  had  formerly  re- 
sided, and  commenced  again  his  agricultural  pursuits.  Before  he 
Avas  elected  Sheriff  he  Avas,  in  the  years  1875  and  1876,  elected 
Assessor  for  his  township,  and  Avas  ajipointed  in  1880  Census 
Enumerator  for  Taylorville  township  outside  of  the  corporation  of 
the  city  of  Taylorville. 

Mr.  May  is  one  of  those  Avho  started  in  life  unaided.  Left  an 
orphan  at  an  early  age,  he  had  to  go  out  and  take  his  place  among 
men  and  earn  a livelihood  for  himself  What  he  has  noAV,  in  the 
Avay  of  Avorldly  possessions,  has  been  the  accumulation  of  his  OAvn 
toil  and  patient  industry,  aided  by  economical  habits  and  good 
management.  In  thus  accumulating  he  has  made  for  himself  at  the 
same  time  a name  for  strict  honesty  and  integrity  in  both  public 
and  private  life. 


128 


HISTORY  OF  CHRISTIAN  C0UN2Y,  ILLINOIS. 


I.s  a native  of  Ohio.  He  was  born  in  the  village  of  Jacksontown, 
Licking  county,  on  the  2d  day  of  Fel)ruary,  1847.  The  Whitmer 
family,  on  the  paternal  side,  is  of  German  ancestry.  John  Whitmer, 
the  father  of  Charles,  was  a native  of  renn.sylvania.  lie  came  with 
his  father  to  Ohio  at  an  early  period  in  the  history  of  that  state. 
In  September,  1847,  the  family  left  Ohio,  and  removed  to  Crawford 
county,  Illinois,  and  entered  a large  body  of  land.  John  Whitmer 
remained  there  until  November,  1856,  wlicn  he  removed  to  Edina, 
Knox  county,  Missouri,  wliere  he  followed  the  ti'ade  of  car|)enter 
and  house-joiner.  He  subsequently  moved  to  IMacon  county,  in  tlie 
same  state,  and  in  1861,  at  the  breaking  out  of  the  war,  he  came 
l)ack  to  Illinois,  and  stopped  in  Hancock  county,  subse(juently  re- 
moving to  Sangamon  county,  and,  in  the  Spring  of  1862,  located  in 
South  Fork  townshij),  Cliristian  county.  He  then  engaged  in  farm- 
ing, at  which  lie  continued  until  his  dcatli,  wliich  occurred  Sept.  28, 
1874.  He  married  Sarah  Overmier,  a native  of  Pennsylvania,  but 
a resident  of  Ohio  at  the  time  of  her  marriage.  She  was  also  of 
German  ancestry.  She  died  in  South  I'ork  township,  Christian 
county,  Illinois,  January  9th,  1874. 

Nine  children  are  the  fruits  of  this  marriage,  six  of  whom  have 
survived  the  iiarents.  Of  the  latter  all  have  reached  the  age  of 
maturity,  and  all  are  residents  of  this  county.  Charles  is  the  eighth 
in  the  family.  He  had  but  slight  ojiportnnities  for  receiving  even 
a good  common  school  education.  His  ailvantages  in  this  direction 
were  mainly  between  the  years  of  ten  and  fourteen.  In  these  four 
years  he  attended  the  schools  of  his  neighborhood  during  the  winter 
months,  and  in  the  summer  worked  iqion  the  farm.  In  May,  1864. 
while  yet  in  his  seventeenth  year,  he  enlisted  in  Company  A,  l.S-ld 
llegt.  Ills.  Vol.s.  He  was  honorably  discharged  in  September  of 
the  same  year.  In  1868  he  was  apjiointeil  deputy  under  Sherilf 


Hill,  with  whom  he  remained  until  the  end  of  his  term.  He  then 
clerked  for  several  years  in  a dry  goods  store  in  Taylorville,  and 
was  also  for  some  time  book-keeper  in  H.  M.  Vandeveer  & Co.’s  bank. 
In  1874,  he  again  entered  the  office  of  Sheriff  Hill,  as  deputy.  He 
remained  in  the  sherift”s  office  until  the  expiration  of  Hill’s  term. 
In  1876,  ]\Ir.  Hill  was  elected  circuit  clerk  of  Christian  county, 
and  the  subject  of  our  sketch  served  with  him  as  deputy  clerk.  He 
remained  in  that  capacity  until  1877,  when  he  received  the  nomi- 
nation for  county  clerk  at  the  bauds  of  the  democratic  party.  At 
the  ensuing  election  in  November  of  the  same  year,  he  was  elected 
by  a majority  in  excess  of  his  party  vote. 

On  the  28th  day  of  April,  1870,  he  was  united  in  marriage  to 
IVIiss  T.  A.  Greenwood,  who  is  a native  of  Pleasant  Plains,  Sanga- 
mon county,  Illinois.  Her  father  is  a native  of  Kentucky,  and  her 
mother  of  New  Jersey,  and  both  of  English  descent.  Three  children 
have  blessed  and  cemented  the  marriage,  two  of  whom  ax'e  living, 
viz:  Nellie  INI.  and  Freddie  E.  Whitmer.  In  politics  it  is  hardly 
necessary  to  say  that  Mr.  Whitmer  is  and  always  has  been  a 
staunch  and  reliable  democrat.  His  first  presidential  vote  was 
cast  for  Seymour  and  Plair,  in  1868,  and  since  that  time  he  has  ad- 
hered to  the  fortunes  of  that  political  organization.  Pie  is  a 
respected  member  of  the  honorable  order  of  A.  O.  U.  W. 

In  his  manners  Mr.  Whitmer  is  a kind,  genial  gentleman,  with 
a plea.sant  and  affable  address.  In  the  affairs  of  his  office,  and  in 
the  capacity  of  county  clerk,  he  is  methodical  and  correct,  and  in 
the  discharge  of  his  duties  is  prompt  and  industrious.  He  is  a good 
businc.‘<s  man,  and  under  his  management  the  eounty’s  interest  will 
be  looked  after  and  attended  to  with  scrupulous  exactness.  His 
character  as  a citizen  is  above  reproach. 


HISTORY  OF  CHRISTIAN  COUNTY,  ILLINOIS. 


129 


JOHN  BOND  EICKS 

Both  brandies  of  the  Eicks  family  are  of  English  descent,  the 
ancestors  of  whom  came  to  America  and  settled  in  the  Carolinas 
prior  to  the  revolutionary  war.  Eichard  Eicks,  the  paternal  grand- 
father, was  a soldier  of  the  revolution.  The  family  subsequently 
moved  to  Kentucky,  where  AVilliara  S.  Eicks,  the  father  of  the  jire- 
sent  sketch,  was  born.  He  came  to  Illinois  in  the  spring  of  1835, 
and  settled  on  Bear  creek,  on  sect.  34,  town  12,  range  3 west,  where 
he  had  purchased  land  of  his  brother-in-law.  Col.  Thomas  P.  Bond. 
He  afterwards  entered  considerable  bodies  of  land  in  other  parts  of 
the  town.ship  and  county.  He  remained  there  until  an  advanced 
age,  when  he  moved  to  Hillsboro,  and  subsequently  to  near  Spring- 
field,  where  he  died  IVIarcli  7th,  1873.  During  his  life  he  was  a 
prominent  man,  particularly  in  the  early  history  of  the  county.  He 
was  instrumental  in  having  Christian  county  stricken  off’  He  was 
the  first  sheriff,  and  was  re- elected  for  the  seconl  term  He  also  in 
1844  represented  the  district  in  the  legislature,  and  while  a member 
of  that  body  was  the  room-mate  and  intimate  friend  of  Lyman 
Trumbull.  He  married  Margaret  U.  Bond.  She  was  born  in  South 
Carolina,  but  was  a resident  of  Kentucky  at  the  time  of  her  mar- 
riage. She  died  in  1865.  Mr.  Kicks  afterward  married  Edith 
Gibson.  She  is  now  a resident  of  Canton,  Kentucky.  By  the  fir.-t 
marriage  there  were  eleven  children,  five  of  whom  are  living.  John 
B.  is  the  fifth  in  the  family,  and  was  born  in  Trigg  county,  Ken- 
tucky, near  the  Cumberland  river,  November  14th,  1833. 

He  attended  the  country  schools  of  Christian  county,  and  re- 
ceived such  instruction  as  they  could  give,  and  also  spent  one  term 
at  the  seminary  in  Mechanicsburg,  in  Sangamon  county,  and  after- 
ward entered  McKendree  College  at  Lebanon,  Illinois,  where  he 
remained  two  terms ; then  returned  home  and  engaged  in  stock 
business,  in  which  he  became  the  most  extensive  dealer  and 
largest  shipper  in  the  county.  He  continued  in  the  business  until 
1873.  In  1865  he  was  elected  Sheriff  of  Christian  county.  In  1866 
be  was  nominated  by  acclamation  for  the  office  of  representative  in 
the  legislature,  and  in  November  of  the  same  year  was  elected  by  a 
handsome  majority.  While  a member  of  that  body  he  was  on 
several  important  committees,  among  which  was  the  committee  to 
inve.«tigate  the  In.sane  Asylum  at  Jack.sonville  and  other  state  insti- 
tutions. He  was  one  of  the  committee  who  accepted  the  place  for 
the  new  State-house,  and  fought  for  its  pre.seut  location.  In  1868 
he  was  elected  Circuit  Clerk.  In  1872  he  was  re-elected,  and  went 
out  of  office  at  the  ex[)iration  of  the  term  in  1876. 

On  the  24th  of  December,  1851,  he  married  Miss  Docia  B. 
Haines,  a native  of  Kentucky,  but  a resident  of  Sangamon  county 
at  the  time  of  her  marriage.  Five  children  have  been  born  to  them, 
all  of  whom  are  living. 

In  politics  he  is  a democrat,  and  always  took  an  active  part  in 
local  and  state  elections.  He  is  a member  of  the  Masonic  frater- 
nity, and  a Knight  Templar.  He  is  also  a member  of  the  I.  O.  0.  F. 

His  eldest  son,  James  B Eicks,  is  a native  of  Christian  countv. 
Born  December  23d,  1852.  He  received  a good  education  in 
the  common  schools  of  Christian  county,  and  at  the  age  of  seventeen 
he  entered  the  Wesleyan  University  at  Bloomington,  Illinois,  where 
he  remained  until  18 — , when  he  returned  and  entered  the  law'  office 
of  Capt.  Andrew  Simpson,  of  Taylorville,  and  read  law.  He  was 
admitted  to  the  bar  in  June,  1874.  As  a lawyer  he  is  methodical, 
and  gives  evidence  of  future  usefulness  in  the  profession.  He  was 
elected  Police  IMagistrate  in  1876,  and  re-elected  in  1880.  He  is 
democratic  in  politics.  He  is  an  active  member  of  the  Knights  of 
Pythias. 

On  the  22d  of  December,  1872,  he  was  united  in  marriage  to 
MibS  Pammie  Geltmacher,  of  Bloomington,  Illinois.  Five  children 
17 


have  been  born  to  them,  three  of  whom  are  living.  Their  names 
are  Agnes,  Carroll  and  Jesse  Jay. 


W.  W.  ANDEKSON. 

Among  the  old  and  prominent  business  men  of  Taylorville  stands 
the  name  of  the  subject  of  this  sketch.  The  Anderson  family,  on 
the  paternal  side,  are  of  Welsh  ancestry,  and  on  the  maternal 
Scotch-Irish.  The  ancestors  on  both  sides  came  to  Ameriea  prior 
to  the  revolutionary  war.  George  H.  Anderson,  the  father  of 
W.  W.,  was  a native  of  Virginia.  He  was  a soldier  of  the  war  of 
1812,  and  was  with  the  forces  under  command  of  General  Jackson. 
After  the  war  he  settled  in  Tennessee,  and  subsequently  removed  to 
Kentucky,  where  he  remained  until  1829,  when  he  came  to  Illinois, 
and  settled  in  Montgomery  county,  where  he  died  in  1852.  He  was 
a carpenter  and  millwright  by  trade.  After  he  came  to  Illinois  he 
engaged  in  farming. 

He  married  Nancy  IMann,  who  was  born  and  raised  in  North 
Carolina.  The  marriage  took  place  while  he  was  yet  a resident  of 
Tennessee.  There  were  twelve  children  by  this  marriage,  five  of 
whom  have  survived  the  parents.  William  W.  is  the  sixth  in  the 
family.  He  was  born  in  Henderson  county,  Kentucky,  October 
25th,  1825,  and  was  in  his  fourth  year  when  his  parents  came  to 
Illinois. 

His  education  was  obtained  in  the  subscription-schools  and  in  the 
rude  log  school-houses  of  the  pioneer  age  of  Illinois.  His  advan- 
tages, therefore,  for  receiving  an  education  were  few,  as  comj>ared 
with  the  present.  At  the  age  of  seventeen  years  he  entered  the 
store  of  Hon.  Hiram  Rountree,  of  Hillsboro,  and  there  commenced 
and  laid  the  foundation  of  his  business  life.  He  remained  in  the 
servic2  of  Mr.  Rountree  for  seven  years. 

In  March,  1851,  he  came  to  Christian  county  and  engaged  in 
farming,  at  which  he  continued  for  three  years ; but  that  occupa- 
tion proving  uncongenial  to  his  tastes  at  the  close  of  the  third  year 
he  resumed  clerking.  He  engaged  with  D.  D.  Shumway,  who 
was  in  the  general  merchandizing  business,  and  remained  as  a clerk 
until  1856,  when  he  purchased  a half-interest  in  the  store,  and  be- 
came an  equal  partner  in  the  house  and  profits.  Two  years  later 
he  purchased  IMr.  Shumway’s  entire  interest,  and  continued  the 
business  with  great  success  until  1871,  when  he  sold  the  stock  and 
retired  from  the  busines.s.  When  he  first  commenced  the  dry  goods 
and  general  trade  in  Taylorville,  he,  to  accommodate  the  public 
and  facilitate  business,  furnished  exchange,  received  deposits,  and 
did  a j)rivate  banking  business.  This  continued  to  grow  until  it 
assumed  such  importance  as  to  demand  more  time  and  almost  his 
exclusive  attention.  After  he  closed  out  his  stock  of  goods  he  con- 
tinued private  banking,  under  the  style  and  name  of  W.  W.  An- 
derson & Co.,  D.  I).  Shumway  being  his  partner.  The  banking- 
house  of  this  firm  may  be  regarded  as  the  oldest  in  the  county,  and 
also  one  of  the  most  substantial. 

On  the  16th  of  August,  1850,  while  yet  a resident  of  Hillsboro, 
he  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Nancy  B , daughter  of  Judge 
Hi  ram  Rountree,  of  the  same  place.  By  this  union  there  was  one 
child,  which  died  in  infancy.  Nancy  B.  Anderson  died  in  Januarv, 
1854.  In  April,  1859,  IMr.  Anderson  married  Mrs,  Martha  L. 
AVright,  nee  Randle,  daughter  of  Rev.  R.  Randle.  She  is  a native 
of  Madison  county,  Illinois,  but  was  brought  uj)  near  Bellville,  in 
St.  Clair  county.  By  this  latter  marriage  there  have  been  five  chil- 
dren, four  of  whom  are  living.  Both  Mr.  Anderson  and  his  esti- 
mable wife  are  members  of  the  M.  E.  Church.  He  is  an  active  metn- 
ber,  and  one  who  contributes  liberally  of  his  means  to  the  cause  of 
Christianity. 


130 


HISTORY  OF  CHRISTIAN  COUNTY,  ILLINOIS. 


In  politics  he  gives  his  support  to  the  democratic  party.  His 
first  vote  was  cast  for  Lewis  Cass  in  1842,  and  since  that  time 
to  the  present  he  has  been  an  unswerving  member  of  that  poli- 
tical organization.  While  an  ardent  and  enthusiastic  democrat  yet 
he  is  not  a politician.  His  life  has  been  too  bu.«y  to  give  it  any 
other  attention  further  than  to  express  his  opinion  when  required, 
and  cast  his  ballot  for  his  choice.  He  is  a respected  member  of 
many  years  standing  of  the  ancient  and  honorable  order  of  Free- 
masonry. 

Thus,  in  short,  we  have  given  a biographical  sketch  of  one  of  Chris- 
tian county’s  oldest  business  men.  To  a great  extent  he  started  in  life 
unaided,  and  whatever  success  he  has  achieved,  he  attributes  to 
his  unceasing  labor,  careful  supervision  and  oversight  of  his  own  i 
business,  never  intrusting  the  general  run  or  details  to  any  one,  ' 
always  keeping  his  business  well  in  hand,  and  meeting  his  obliga- 
tions promptly.  He  is  of  a liberal  and  enterprising  spirit.  All 
enterprises  having  for  their  object  the  good  of  the  town  or  county 
receive  his  aid  and  substantial  recognition.  In  the  education  of 
youth  he  is  particularly  active,  and  fully  abreast  with  the  spirit  of 
the  age  upon  that  question.  In  his  manners  he  is  a jdain,  quiet 
gentleman  of  pleasant  address,  possessing  good  conversational 
powers  and  a fund  of  good,  practical  information. 

. Dr.  CALVIN  GOUDY — (Deceased). 

Dr.  Calvin  Goudy,  a native  of  Ohio,  was  born  during  the  war 
of  1812,  when  the  State  was’ comparatively  a wilderness,  on  the  2d 
of  June,  1814.  He  was  of  tcotch-Irish  descent— the  son  of  Robert 
and  Jane  Goudy.  In  1826  he  emigrated  to  Indiana  with  his 
parents.  They  settled  in  Indianapolis— then  a small  village  sur- 
rounded by  forests  and  swamps,  containing  one  church,  which 
was  Presbyterian,  of  which  Rev.  Geo.  Bush  was  pastor.  In  1832 
his  father  emigrated  to  Vandalia,  Ills.  He  accompanied  his  parents 
and  found  employment  in  the  State  printing-office  and  book-binde-  ! 
rv  for  two  years.  This  was  during  the  celebrated  Black-Hawk 
war.  The  whole  north  part  of  Illinois  was  then  uninhabited — 
Chicago  was  but  a name,  and  the  citizens  of  the  “ Prairie  State” 
were  often  the  victims  of  savage  cruelty  at  the  hands  of  the  Indians. 
Here,  at  Vandalia,  he  put  in  type  Gov.  Reynolds’  first  message  to 
the  legislature.  The  Governor  had  a peculiarity  of  using  the  small  j 
“ i”  invariably  where  the  capital  “ I ” was  i)ropcr.  Being  twitted 
about  it  in  the  presence  of  young  Calvin,  he  repliel  by  saying, 

“ The  fact  is,  rny  predecessor  was  such  a great  egotist  that  he  had 
used  up  all  the  capital  ‘ Ps,’ and  I found  none  left  when  I came 
into  the  office.”  In  the  fall  of  1833  the  Doctor’s  father  removed 
his  faituly  to  Jacksonville,  Ills.  The  family  consisted  of  the 
jKireuts,  six  boys  and  three  girls.  In  January,  1834,  he  entered 
Illinois  College  and  graduated  in  18£‘J.  Among  his  college  mates 
were  the  late  Gov.  Richard  Yates,  Gov.  Edwards  and  Rev.  R. 

W.  I’atterson,  I).  D.,  of  Chicago.  In  1835  he  taught  school  near 
Jacksonville,  at  the  same  time  keeping  up  his  class  recitations  in 
Greek  and  Latin  in  Illinois  College.  During  his  college  career  he 
worked  part  of  the  time  in  the  j)rinting-office.  He  printed  Rev.  J. 

M.  Peck’s  “ Gazeteer  of  Illinois,”  in  18-54,  also  “Wakefield’s  His- 
tory of  the  Black-Hawk  War,”  and  “ Gundy's  Almanac,”  for 
several  years.  During  the  year  1837,  in  coimectiou  with  his  brother, 
he  i.ssiied  “The  (Joiumou  School  .\dvocate,”  which  was  the  first 
journal  devoted  exclusively  to  the  cause  of  education  in  the  greiit 
North-west.  During  his  residence  in  Jack.sonville  he  was  on  the 
8th  of  Nov.,  1H;{8,  one  of  the  jiarty  in  the  linst  car  behind 
the  first  iron  hor.se  harne.s.se<l  in  the  valley  of  the  Mississippi, 
making  an  excursion  of  eight  miles,  from  Meredosia  to  Morgan 


City,  111.  Ho  pas.sed  over  the  same  road  again,  now  a link  in 
the  Wabash,  St.  Louis  and  Pacific,  on  the  0th  of  July,  1876,  for 
the  first  time  after  a lapse  of  thirty-eight  years.  On  that  first  ex- 
cursion were  Gen.  Joseph  Duncan,  then  Governor  of  Illinois,  Mur- 
ray McConnell  of  the  Board  of  Public  Works,  Col.  James  Dunlap 
and  Thomas  January,  contractors  and  builders  of  the  road,  and 
others. 

After  graduation,  he  spent  three  years  as  a student  of  medicine, 
in  the  office  of  Drs.  Hewry  and  Merriman,  in  Springfield,  Ills.  He 
attended  his  full  course  of  lectures,  and  graduated  at  the  St.  Louis 
Medical  College  in  the  spring  of  1844.  In  May,  1844,  he  located 
as  a physician  in  Taylorville,  Christian  county.  Ills.,  where  he  re- 
sided for  over  a third  of  a century,  and  at  which  place  he  died  on 
March  6th,  1877. 

This  ])lace  he  found  an  excellent  field  for  a young  physician — the 
county  new  and  the  people  sickly.  He  would  often  stand  on  the 
court-house  steps  and  see  herds  of  twenty  and  fifty  deer  bounding 
(/ver  the  prairie,  within  less  than  a mile  of  town.  Bears  and  wolves 
also  were  not  an  unusual  sight.  On  one  occasion  the  Doctor  had 
a narrow  escape  from  a pack  of  hungry  wolves  that  pursued  him 
at  nighi  across  the  prairie.  He  practiced  his  profession  here 
successfully  for  several  years,  and  being  popular,  was  in- 
duced to  enter  the  arena  of  polities,  however  against  his  better 
judgment.  In  August,  1847,  he  was  elected  Probate  Judge  for  a 
term  of  four  years.  In  1856  he  was  elected  to  the  legislature  from 
Christian  and  Montgomery  counties,  of  which  he  was  a very  active 
and  efficient  member.  To  Dr.  Calvin  Goudy  is  due  the  high  honor 
of  having  obtained  the  passage  of  the  bill  creating  the  Normal 
Lbdversity,  which  has  justly  been  termed  the  “head  and  front”  of 
our  great  common  school  system.  The  Chicago  Times  of  July, 
1860,  in  speaking  of  the  history  of  the  Normal  University  said, 
“The  bill  creating  the  institution  met  with  a vigorous  opposition  in 
the  House  of  Representatives  of  the  Legislature  of  1857,  many 
being  desirous  of  establishing  a different  educational  system.  But 
by  the  energetic  aid  of  such  men  as  Dr.  Goudy,  of  Christian  county 
(whose  efforts  in  this  case  should  endear  Jum  to  the  heart  of  every 
lover  of  education)  the  bill  finally  passed  by  a majority  of  one!  ” 
And  to  him  more  than  any  other  member  do  the  agricultural  so- 
cieties of  the  State,  owe  a debt  of  gratitude  for  the  successful  pas- 
sage of  the  act  granting  a bonus  of  $100  annually  from  the  State 
to  each  society  for  their  encouragement  and  support.  He  projeeted 
and  introduced  a bill  incorporating  the  Paua  and  Springfield  Rail- 
road. Dr.  J’klwards,  I*resident  of  the  Normal  Univcr.^ity,  in  his 
decennial  address  of  June  29th,  1872,  alluding  to  the  members  of 
the  State  Board  of  Education  said  ; ‘‘  Next  among  the  present  in- 
cumbents comes  Dr.  Calvin  Goudy,  of  Taylorville,  Ills.,  who  has 
been  a member  of  the  Board  for  many  years.  He  was  a member  of 
the  legislature  when  the  law,  establishing  the  institution,  was  passed, 
and  the  success  of  the  measure  was  largely  due  to  his  persistent 
fidelity,  lie  has  been  a faithful  and  pains-taking  member,  patient 
in  the  in.spection  of  details,  nece.ssary  to  be  known,  and  from  which 
most  men  shrink.  In  his  support  of  the  institution  he  has  been 
generous,  hearty  and  unselfish.”  In  Sej)t.,  1848,  he  was  appointed 
Professor  of  Chemktry  in  the  Rock  Island  Medical  College,  and 
delivered  a course  of  lectures  on  chemistry  before  a class  of  some 
eighty  students,  in  the  winter  of  1848-9.  Prof  INI.  L.  Knapp,  in 
his  introductory  lecture,  <lelivered  Nov.  7,  1818,  at  the  opening  of 
the  winter  cour.se,  said:  “ Prof  Goudy,  who  fills  the  chair  of  che- 
mistry, resides  at  Taylorville,  Ills.,  and  has  long  been  a resident  of 
Sangamon  and  Morgan  counties,  where  he  enjoyed  a high  reputa- 
tion as  a ripe  scholar  and  an  accomplished  j)hysician.  His  precep- 
tor, Dr.  iNIerryman  says  of  him,  ‘He  is  an  apt  scholar,  and  con- 


HISTORY  OF  CHRISTIAN  COUNTY,  ILLINOIS. 


131 


tinues,  since  a practitioner,  to  be  a close  anti  hard  student,  possesses 
clear  and  quick  perceptions,  is  a young  man  of  a very  philosophi- 
cal turn  of  mind,  a gentleman  in  private  life,  greatly  beloved  for  | 
his  exceedingly  many  virtues,  and  chemistry  is  his  hobby.’  ” In  : 
the  spring  of  1852,  on  account  of  failing  health,  he  relinquished  his 
profession  and  engaged  in  a general  merchandizing  business  for 
some  nineteen  years.  Dr.  Goudy  erected  the  first  steam  mill  in 
Taylorville,  in  1850,  which  was  a great  public  benefit,  and  added 
largely  to  the  improvement  of  the  town.  His  public  spirit  led  him  j 
to  move  in  the  matter  of  establishing  a great  air  line  State  road 
from  St.  Louis  to  Chicago  and  eventually  placing  tliereon  a daily 
line  of  mail  coaches.  He  procured  the  enactment  of  a law 
establishing  the  south  end  of  the  road  from  Decatur  to  St.  Louis, 
via.  Edwardsville.  He  and  four  others  were  appointed  commis- 
sioners to  have  the  same  located  and  surveyed.  They  met  in  De- 
catur in  May,  1847,  and  proceeded  in  the  discharge  of  their  duty.  , 
The  public  were  much  interested  in  the  proposed  road.  But  tlie  ! 
opening  of  railroads,  soon  after,  fortunately  superseded  this  noble 
enterprise,  and  it  was,  of  course,  abandoned.  On  the  Gth  of  Sept., 
1868,  he  was  appointed  Deputy  Provost  IMarshall  for  Christian 
county,  by  Capt.  lYm.  M.  Fry,  Provost  Marshall  of  Tenth  Illinois 
District,  which  appointment  he  declined.  In  Jan.,  1863,  he  was 
appointed  by  the  Governor,  and  confirmed  by  the  Senate  as  “ Mem- 
ber of  the  State  Board  of  Education,”  vhieh  position  he  filled 
honorably  for  nearly  twenty  years.  He  has  held  many  minor  but 
important  offices  within  the  gift  of  his  fellow-citizens,  and  was  at 
the  time  of  his  decease  the  oldest  resident  of  Taylorville,  a city  of 
over  3,000  inhabitants. 

He  aided  in  the  organization  of  the  first  Sabbath-school  of  Tay- 
lorville, in  1818,  and  is  the  author  of  several  works,  and  was  a | 
frequent  contributor  to  periodicals;  was  a member  of  the  Pres- 
byterian Church  for  nearly  fifty  years,  a ruling  elder  in  the  same, 
an  active  contributor  to  benevolent  movements  and  charitable 
enterprises  He  was  a commissioner  to  the  General  Assembly  of 
the  Presbyterian  Church  at  Brooklyn,  N.  Y.,  in  May,  1876,  and 
was,  for  more  than  fifty  years,  an  active  Sabbath-school  worker. 
Was  married  in  Decatur,  Ills.,  on  the  10th  of  May,  1848,  to  IMiss  j 
Martha  A.  Mahood,  of  Cadiz,  Ohio.  Of  this  union  there  were  eight 
children,  six  of  whom  still  survive. 

The  record  of  his  life  is  complete,  and  is  that  of  a noble,  true  and 
good  man.  It  is  that  of  one  who,  amidst  the  toils  and  hardships  of 
our  early  history,  held  fast  his  integrity  and  manhood,  and  moulded  * 
upon  his  associates  the  virtues  of  his  character.  This  is  the  reward 
of  the  righteous,  and  many  arise  to  “ call  him  blessed.”  { 


Hon.  JOHX  B JONES.  I 

The  subject  of  the  following  sketch  is  the  oldest  son  of  Samuel 
and  Sarah  Jones,  and  was  born  in  Uhricksville,  Tuscarawas 
county,  Ohio,  June  28th,  1843.  He  grew  to  manhood  upon  the 
farm.  His  father  being  in  moderate  circumstances  was  only  able  j 
to  afford  him  the  rudiments  of  an  education — such  as  are  obtained 
in  the  common  schools.  In  1864  his  father  moved  with  his  family 
to  Christian  county,  Illinois,  and  remained  here  a few  years,  when 
he  removed  to  Montgomery  county.  After  the  family  came  west  I 
John  B.  followed  the  profession  of  school-teaching  for  several  years, 
and  taught  several  terms  in  the  public  schools  of  Taylorville. 
During  this  time  he  read  the  standard  text- books  upon  law.  He  j 

made  application  and  was  admitted  to  the  bar  in  May,  1868. 
Began  the  practice  in  Nokomis,  Montgomery  county,  where 
he  remained  six  months  then  returned  to  Taylorville,  and  for 
one  year  was  Deputy  Circuit  Clerk.  At  the  end  of  that  time  he  | 


again  took  up  the  practice  of  his  profession,  in  which  he  has  con- 
tinued with  great  success  to  the  present.  As  a lawyer  31 r.  Jones 
takes  front  rank  at  the  bar  of  Christian  county.  He  is  very  indus- 
trious, and  a pains-taking  attorney.  He  is  a clear,  logical  thinker 
and  a good  practitioner,  and  from  his  studious  and  industrious 
habits  has  acquired  a good  knowledge  of  law.  It  may  here  be 
added  that  his  law  library  is  the  largest  and  most  complete  in  the 
county. 

In  politics  he  has  been  a democrat  from  boyhood  to  the  present 
time.  He  is  a sincere  believer  in  the  idea  that  the  conservative 
principles  of  the  political  organization  to  which  he  has  given  his 
constant  adherence  are  best  calculated  to  serve  the  purposes  of  free 
government  and  perpetuate  our  institutions  on  the  basis  propo.sed 
by  the  founders  of  the  republic.  He  is  not  a politician,  although  he 
is  recognized  as  one  of  the  safe  counsellors  of  his  i^arty,  and  is  to  a 
certain  extent  a leader.  In  1878,  at  the  urgent  request  of  his 
friends,  he  became  the  candidate  for  the  Legislature,  and  was  elected 
representative  to  the  31st  General  Assembly  wdth  but  little  opposi- 
tion. While  in  that  body  he  was  a member  of  several  important 
committees.  During  the  term  he  sustained  the  reputation  of  a 
careful  and  prudent  member,  bringing  to  the  practical  work  of  the 
house  a large  share  of  valuable  busine.ss  experience  and  much  com- 
mon sense.  All  his  actions  were  dictated  by  a just  view  of  the  in- 
terests of  his  constituents  and  an  honest  and  honorable  desire  to 
please  those  who  had  honored  him  with  their  suffrages.  On  the 
27th  day  of  IMay,  1873,  he  was  united  in  marriage  to  3Iiss  Emma 
A.  Price,  who  was  formerly  of  Madison  county,  Ohio.  By  this 
union  there  is  one  child,  a girl,  named  Alice. 


WILLIAiM  B.  HUNDLEY 

The  subject  of  this  brief  biographical  sketch  is  a native  of  Trigg 
county,  Kentucky.  The  family  were  originally  from  Virginia,  but 
moved  to  Kentucky  at  a period  while  that  State  was  yet  under  a 
territorial  form  of  government.  J.  B.  Hundley,  the  father  of 
W.  B.,  was  born  in  Kentucky,  August  14,  1795.  He  married 
Urath  O.  Dorsey,  who  was  born  October  5th.  1804.  In  1824  he 
removed  from  Trigg  to  Jefferson  county,  Kentucky,  and  remained 
there  until  1836,  when  he  came  to  Madison  county,  Illinois,  and 
settled  in  Alton,  Avhere  he  remained  until  his  death,  which  oc- 
curred June  12th,  1847.  His  wife,  and  mother  of  William  B.,  sur- 
vived him  twenty  years.  She  died  March  17th,  1867.  He  was  by 
profession  a civil  engineer,  and  followed  surveying  during  the 
greater  portion  of  his  life.  He  was  also  for  a long  time  Deputv 
U.  S.  Marshal,  under  Harry  Wilton,  for  the  Southern  District  of 
Illinois.  During  the  war  of  1812  he  was  a soldier  in  Cap- 
tain Lanca,ster’s  com])any.  Our  subject  is  the  eldest  of  two 
children,  both  boys,  born  to  J.  B.  and  Urath  O.  Hundley.  He 
was  born  May  19,  1823,  and  was  thirteen  years  of  age  when  he 
came  with  his  father’s  family  to  Illinois ; attended  the  common 
schools  of  his  native  State,  receiving  such  instruction  in  the  rudi- 
ments of  an  education  as  they  could  give.  In  1837,  after  he  came 
to  Illinois,  he  entered  Shurtleff  college,  at  Upper  Alton,  where  he 
remained  several  years  and  perfected  his  educational  training. 
While  there  he  was  a room  and  classmate  of  General  John  Pope,  of 
second  battle  of  Bull  Run  notoriety.  In  his  class  were  other  men 
who  have  since  become  prominent  in  the  history  of  the  State  and 
nation.  After  his  retirement  from  college  he  engaged  in  fiirming 
in  Madison  county,  at 'which  he  continued  until  1867,  when  he 
came  to  Taylorville  and,  in  connection  with  J.  M.  Nimerick,  pur- 
chased a flouring  mill,  operated  it  and  continued  in  the  business 
until  the  spring  of  1870,  when  he  .sold  out.  During  the  summer  of 


132 


IIISTOUY  OF  CHRISTIAN  COUNTY,  ILLINOIS. 


the  same  year  he  was  nominated  by  the  democratic  party,  in  con- 
vention assembled,  for  the  office  of  Legislator  for  this  district,  and 
was  elected.  He  served  in  the  Legislature  of  1870-71  and  also  in 
the  extra  session  in  the  winter  of  1871-72.  In  1872  he  was 
elected  to  represent  the  Thirty-first  Senatorial  District  in 
the  State  Senate.  He  served  as  a member  of  that  body  until 
1875,  when  he  resigned.  While  a member  of  both  legislative 
bodies  he  held  the  chairmanship  of  several  important  committees. 
During  hj^  residence  in  Madison  county  he  was  elected  Associate 
Justice,  and  served  one  term.  It  is  from  that  office  that  he  receives 
his  title,  and  is  familiarly  addressed  as  “ Judge  ” by  his  many  friends 
in  Christian  county.  In  the  summer  of  1875  he  removed  west,  and 
settled  in  Helena,  Montana  Territory,  where  he  at  present  resides. 
On  the  27ih  of  December,  1847,  he  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss 
America  L.  Luckett.  She  is  a native  of  Virginia,  but  was  a resi- 
dent of  Mechanicsburg,  Sangamon  county,  at  the  time  of  her  mar- 
riage. Two  children  have  been  born  to  them,  both  girls.  The 
eldest,  Willie,  is  the  wife  of  W.  G.  Prewitt,  a resident  of  Helena, 
Montana.  Jennie,  the  youngest,  is  the  wife  of  W.  L.  Miner,  also  a 
resident  of  the  same  place. 

In  politics  Mr.  Hundley  is  a sound  democrat.  His  first  presi- 
dential vote  was  cast  fur  James  K.  Polk,  in  1844,  and  at  every  sub- 
sequent national  or  State  election  he  has  uniformly  voted  that 
ticket.  He  has  been  a member  of  Piasa  Lodge  No.  27  A.  F.  and 
A.  IM.  since  March  18th,  1852.  Few  men  ever  came  to  Christian 
county  who  made  more  warm  friends  and  fewer  enemies  than  Judge 
Hundley.  His  independence  of  thought  and  action,  together  with 
his  straightforward,  plain  methods  and  views  upon  all  subjects  of 
private  or  public  policy,  soon  won  him  hosts  of  friends,  who  showed 
their  appreciation  and  esteem  for  him  and  for  his  character  as  a 
man  and  citizen  by  electing  him  to  honorable  and  responsible 
offices.  And  it  may  here  be  added  that  in  all  positions  to  which  he 
was  elected  he  faithfully  carried  out  the  wishes  of  the  people  who 
had  honored  him  with  their  suffrages. 


ALBERT  G.  BARNE.8, 

Among  the  succe.ssful  business  men  of  Cliristian  county  stands 
the  name  of  Albert  G.  Barnes  The  Barnes  family  on  the  paternal 
side  were  of  Scotch-Irish  ancestry.  Daniel  Barnes,  the  father  of 
the  family,  was  a native  of  Pennsylvania,  and  a bookbinder 
by  trade.  He  was  largely  intcre.sted  in  tile  business,  and  was,  for  a 
number  of  years,  state  binder.  Also  at  the  same  time  he  kept  a 
book  store  in  Harrisburg,  the  capital  of  the  state.  In  1839,  he 
came  west  to  view  the  country.  He  returned  in  1840,  brought  his 
family  with  him,  and  located  in  Springfield,  Illinois,  and  remained 
there  until  1850,  when  he  removed  to  Decatur  and  remained  there 
until  1857  ; he  then  came  to  Taylorville,  Christian  county,  where 
he  continued  until  his  death,  which  occtirrcd  June  13,  1868.  During 
his  residence  in  Springfield,  he  engaged  in  general  merchandizing. 

Alter  he  came  to  Taylorville,  he  was  principally  in  the  hardware 
traile,  in  Avhich  he  continued  until  his  death.  He  married  Margaret 
A.  Richanfson,  who  was  a native  of  Lanea.«ter  county,  Pcnn.^ylva- 
jiia.  She  died  in  D<  cember,  1879.  By  this  marriage  there  were 
seven  children  born  to  them,  four  of  whom  have  survived  the 
parents.  Our  subject  is  the  second  in  the  family.  He  was 
born  in  Harrisburg,  I’a.,  September  4,  1835.  His  education 
was  obtainetl  in  the  common  schools  of  Springfield,  Illinois,  and 
ended  in  his  twelfth  year,  at  which  time  he  was  taken  into  his 
father’s  store,  and  kept  thereuntil  his  liltcenth  yetir;  at  that  ago 
he  determined  to  become  a printer,  and  with  this  object  in  view  he 
entered  the  office  of  the  l>rriiliir  (I'nzrllr^  owned  and  edited  by 


James  Shoaff,  now  deceased.  In  that  office  he  helped  to  set  uj) 
the  first  newspaper  ever  printed  in  Macon  county.  The  printing 
business  proving  too  laborious  and  confining,  young  Barnes  re- 
mained in  the  office  but  one  year,  then  clerked  in  a dry  goods  and 
clothing  store,  in  which  he  remained  for  four  years  longer.  In 
1855  he  came  to  Taylorville  and  opened  the  first  regular  clothing 
house  here.  His  stock  was  small  and  considerably  mixed,  and  his 
first  venture  in  merchandizing  would  probably  have  been  a total 
failure,  if  it  had  not  been  for  a friend  in  Decatur,  who  assisted  him 
and  gave  him  a financial  standing  until  he  could  get  a start.  He 
attended  strictly  to  his  business,  was  saving  and  economical,  and  soon 
succeeded.  In  1865  he  began  the  first  regular  grocery  and  pro- 
vision store  in  the  town.  One  year  later  he  formed  a partnership 
with  Mr.  Calloway  in  the  business,  which  continued  for  several 
years.  In  1861  he  closed  up  the  clothing  business,  and  engaged  in 
the  general  dry  goods  trade,  in  which  he  remained  alone  until  1873, 
when  he  associated  with  him  in  the  business  William  Chamberlain. 
The  firm  of  Chamberlain  & Barnes,  dry  goods  merchants,  still  con- 
tinues. In  1867,  in  connection  with  Col.  John  Williams,  president  of 
the  First  National  Bank  of  Springfield,  Illinois,  he  established  the 
Christian  county  bank.  Oue  year  later  he  purchased  Mr.  Williams’ 
interest,  and  from  that  time  to  the  present,  the  banking-house  of 
A.  G.  Barnes  is  recognized  as  one  of  the  substantial  banks  of  Chris- 
tian county,  as  it  is  also  the  oldest  in  the  county. 

On  the  27th  of  August,  1861,  he  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss 
Henrietta  Branson,  a native  of  Mechanicsburg,  Sangamon  county, 
Illinois.  Her  parents  were  natives  of  Kentucky,  and  came  to  Illi- 
nois at  an  early  period  in  the  history  of  the  state.  There  have  been 
seven  children  born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Barnes,  five  of  whom  are  liv- 
ing— three  boys  and  two  girls.  Both  he  and  his  wife  are  members 
of  the  Presbyterian  church.  He  is  also  an  honored  member  of  the 
order  of  A.  F.  & A.  M.  Mr.  Barnes  gives  his  adhesion  to  the  re- 
publican i)arty.  His  first  vote  was  cast  in  1856,  for  John  C.  Fre- 
mont, since  which  time  he  has  acted  and  voted  with  that  political 
organization.  In  the  business  of  life,  Mr.  Barnes  has  been  what 
the  world  calls  a success'ful  man,  which  success  he  attributes  to 
careful,  prudent  management,  economical  and  industrious  habits. 
He  never  was  a spendthrift,  nor  yet  does  he  stint  himself  for  any- 
thing that  can  add  to  the  health,  pleasure  or  convenience  of 
himself  or  family.  He  contributes  with  open  hand  to  all  the  calls 
of  real  charity,  and  responds  with  substantial  aid  to  all  enterprises 
of  a public  nature  that  have  for  their  object  the  increase  of  the 
material  wealth  or  good  of  his  town  or  county. 

In  his  manners  he  is  a pleasing  gentlgnan,  with  good  address 
and  ea.sy  conversational  powers.  His  reputation  as  a business  man 
and  citizen,  is  that  of  a straightforward,  honorable  man.  In  his 
habits  he  is  temperate,  and  on  the  subject  of  the  traffic  of  alcoholic 
liquors,  he  is  a j)rohibitionist.  In  his  later  years  he  has  given  his 
attention  to  farming  and  raising  fine  stock,  in  addition  to  his  bank- 
ing and  mercantile  business. 


R.  W.  ORR, 

Tin-:  present  County  Suiierintendent  of  Schools,  was  born  in  St. 
Clairsville,  Belmont  county,  Ohio,  September  30th,  1834.  AVhen 
he  was  two  years  of  age,  his  father  removed  to  Jefierson 
county,  in  the  same  state.  Here  he  received  his  early  education, 
in  the  Union  School,  in  Wayne  township.  At  the  age  of  seven- 
teen, he  entered  the  Harmony  School,  at  Bloomfield,  Ohio, 
under  the  instruction  of  Prof.  John  H.  Forester,  and  here  he  spent 
most  of  the  two  following  years  In  the  autumn  of  1854,  he 
removed  with  his  father’s  family  to  Christian  county,  Illinois,  where 


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HISTORY  OF  CHRISTIAN  COUNTY,  ILLINOIS. 


133 


lie  lias  since  resided.  His  father,  Andrew  Orr,  died  on  Buckeye 
Prairie,  on  the  4th  day  of  February,  1858,  leaving  a widow  and 
nine  children,  of  whom  R.  W.  was  the  oldest.  His  mother,  Mrs. 
Ann  Orr,  is  still  living,  and  in  her  seventieth  year.  His  religious 
training  was  of  the  Presbyterian  type,  both  his  parents  being 
devout  and  consistent  members  of  the  United  Presbyterian  Church. 
41  is  mother  is  still  an  honored  member  of  that  church  at  I’ana,  her 
present  home. 

Soon  after  his  arrival  in  Christian  county,  he  engaged  in 
teaching,  which  profession  he  pursued  most  of  the  time  until  the 
breaking  out  of  the  late  war,  when  he  enlisted  as  a private  in 
Company  D.,  130th  Regiment  Illinois  Volunteer  Infantry,  on  the 
4th  of  August,  1862.  At  the  organization  of  the  Company,  he  was 
elected  Orderly  Sergeant.  On  the  second  day  of  February,  1864, 
he  was  promoted  to  1st  Lieutenant,  which  position  he  filled  until 
the  11th  day  of  June,  1864,  when  he  was  comnu.ssioned  Captain. 
He  retired  from  the  army  in  February,  1865,  in  conseciuence  of 
the  consolidation  of  the  77th  and  130th  Illinois  Infantry  Regi- 
ments, thereby  causing  a surplus  of  officers  in  both  regiments  who 
were  mustered  out.  Upon  his  return  to  private  life,  he  again 
engaged  in  teaching,  which  he  followed  until  his  election  to  the 
office  of  Superintendent  of  County  Schools,  in  November,  1873. 

On  the  13th  of  July,  1871,  he  united  in  marriage  with  Hattie  E. 
Shumway,  daughter  of  the  Rev.  Paris  Pray,  and  widow  of  Z. 
P.  Shumway,  who  died  IMay  3d,  1865.  The  fruit  of  this  first 
marriage.  Miss  Lulu  A.  Shumway,  still  graces  her  mother’s  home. 
Since  Mr.  Orr’s  marriage,  four  children  have  been  born  to  him,  viz: 
Lillie,  Daisy,  Frank  and  Charlie. 

As  Superintendent  of  Schools,  he  has  labored  unceasingly  for  the 
good  of  the  schools  of  his  county.  In  his  efforts  to  raise  the 
standard  of  qualification  for  teachers,  he  has  met  with  some  opposi- 
tion, but,  in  the  main,  his  labors  have  met  with  the  hearty 
approval  of  the  intelligent  citizens  of  the  county.  In  politics,  he  is 
a stanch  member  of  the  democratic  party  yet,  in  his  election  to 
the  office  of  Superintendent,  he  has  always  been  largely  supported 
by  republicans,  as  well  as  democrats,  thus  showing  that  his  fitness 
for  the  position  weighed  more  with  the  people  than  party  ties. 

Financially,  Mr.  Orr  has  been  singularly  unfortunate.  A 
peculiar  train  of  circumstances  running  through  most  of  his 
business  life  has  conspired  to  keep  him  at  the  lowest  round  on  the 
ladder  leading  to  wealth.  But  with  unswerving  integrity,  and  a 
determination  to  do  what  good  he  can  in  the  world,  he  yet  looks 
forward  to  brighter  days  to  come. 


HARVEY  C.  CHAPMAN,  M.  D., 

Is  a native  of  North  Stonington,  Connecticut.  He  was  born  March 
13th,  1821.  The  Chapman  family  is  an  old  one,  and  dates  back  to 
an  English  ancestry  as  far  as  the  twelfth  century.  The  name  has 
been  famous  in  the  history  of  England  in  almost  every  department 
of  learning,  science  and  art.  They  were  among  the  first  settlers  of 
New  England,  and  the  pioneers  of  this  section  of  the  State. 

Thos.  P.  Chapman,  (born  September  12th,  1791)  the  father  of 
the  subject  of  this  sketch,  married  Rachel  B.  Wylie.  They  were 
both  natives  of  North  Stonington.  There  were  three  children  by 
this  union,  viz. : Erastus  F.,  Harvey  C.,  and  Harriet  N.,  wife 
of  James  L.  Grant.  In  the  year  1837,  Thos.  P.  Chapman  came 
with  a colony  from  his  native  town,  and  settled  in  Chri.stian 
county,  then  a part  of  Sangamon  county.  The  settlement  was 
made,  and  the  place  named  Stonington,  in  honor  of  their  native 
village  in  Connecticut.  Mr.  Chapman  entered  a large  body  of 
land,  and  remained  in  that  vicinity  until  his  death,  w-hich  occurred 


January  16th,  1867.  Harvey  C.  was  in  his  sixteenth  year  when 
the  family  came  to  Illinois.  He  received  a good  common  school 
education  in  his  native  State,  which,  even  at  that  early  day,  was 
noted  for  its  excellent  and  thorough  educational  system.  He 
attended  the  primitive  schools  of  Illinois  one  season,  and  recollects 
W'ell  the  puncheon  floors  and  greased  deer  skin  windows.  Both  he 
and  his  brother  taught  sehool  for  some  time.  They  both  deter- 
mined upon  adoj)ting  the  profession  of  medicine  as  the  business  of 
their  life.  They,  therefore,  obtained  medical  books,  and  H.  C. 
Chapman  studied  under  the  direction  of  Drs.  Merryman  and 
Henry,  of  Springfield,  and  Erastus  F.  studied  with  Dr.  Edwards, 
of  Edwardsville,  Illinois. 

In  1844,  Dr.  Chapman  w’ent  to  Zanesville,  in  Montgomery 
county,  Illinois,  and  was  induced  to  stay  there  and  go  into  the 
practice.  He  remained  there  a short  time,  and  then  went  to 
Audubon.  The  Mexican  war  was  then  in  progress.  He  mdlsted, 
and  was  appointed  surgeon  of  his  company.  They  offered  their 
services  to  the  government,  but  the  quota  of  Illinois  trooj)s  being 
full,  the  company  was  not  accepted.  He  then  settled  in  Van 
Burensburg.  After  remaining  there  a short  time,  he  went  to 
Greenville,  and  from  there  was  induced  to  go  to  Nauvoo,  where 
he  remained  in  the  practice  for  five  years.  The  cholera  then 
broke  out  in  Chicago,  and  was  raging  with  great  violence.  The 
doctor  having,  after  great  research  and  labor,  discovered,  as  he 
believed,  a specific  and  certain  cure  for  that  dreaded  disease,  deter- 
mined to  go  to  Chicago  and  fully  test  his  remedies,  relieve  the 
distressed,  and  save  the  lives  of  the  citizens.  Finding  his  cholera 
cure  ail  he  had  hoped  for  it,  and  a much  wider  field  for  the 
practice  of  his  profession,  he  remained  there,  and  continued  in 
practice  for  nine  year.s.  At  the  end  of  that  time  he  came  back  to 
Christian  county,  and  in  the  year  1870  became  a resident  of 
Taylorville,  and  ha.5  remained  here  until  the  present  time.  In 
January,  1850,  he  married  Rhoda  Welch.  She  was  a native  of 
Erie  county,  N.  Y.  She  died  in  1853.  Two  children  were  born 
to  them,  viz:  a sou,  Herbert,  and  a daughter,  Elzora,  wife  of 
William  Partrage,  now  a resident  and  fanner  of  Wilsonville, 
Farness  county,  Nebraska.  On  the  1st  of  March,  1857,  he  married 
Miss  Emily  C.  Butler.  She  is  a native  of  New  York,  but  was  a 
resident  of  Lockport,  Will  county.  111.,  at  the  time  of  her  marriage. 
Two  children  have  been  born  to  them,  one  living,  named  Frances 
M. ; Gilbert  E.  died  at  the  age  of  five  years. 

Dr.  Chapman  has  given  the  best  and  larger  part  of  his  life  to 
the  study  of  his  chosen  profession.  His  industry,  research  and 
experience,  have  brought  their  reward  ; not  in  the  accumulation  of 
great  wealth,  but  in  the  discovery  and  admixture  of  compounds, 
that  have  brought  relief  to  suffering  humanity  wherever  they  have 
been  introduced.  His  medical  discovery  known  as  the  “ King  of 
Oils” — the  great  specific  for  bronchitis,  diphtheria,  croup,  and  all 
affections  of  the  throat,  breast  or  kidneys,  or  for  rheumatism — has 
no  equal  within  the  range  of  the  'nvderia  medica.  Its  wonderful 
properties  and  healing  powers  cannot  be  properly  appreciated  until 
tried.  It  is  with  pleasure  that  we  here  add  our  mite  of  praise,  and 
speak  of  it  from  experience,  and  say  that  its  curative  properties  are 
most  wonderful  indeed.  His  “ Cholera  Balm”  is  also  a wonderful 
medical  preparation,  but  not  of  such  universal  use  as  the  “ King  of 
Oils.”  In  cases  of  severe  cramping,  it  cures  almost  instantaneously. 


Ma.ior  THOMAS  LONG. — (Deceased). 

It  is  fitting  that  in  a history  of  Christian  county,  proper  mention 
should  be  made  of  him  whose  name  heads  this  sketch.  Major  Long 
was  the  youngest  son  of  a family  of  eleven  children.  In  1794,  the 


134 


HISTORY  OF  CHRISIIAN  COUNTY,  ILLINOIS. 


family  removed  to  Nelson  county,  Kentucky,  where  both  parents 
remained  until  their  deaths.  He  was  born  in  Nelson  county, 
Kentucky,  May  6,  1795.  His  father,  James  Long,  was  a native 
of  Culpeper  county,  Virginia.  He  married  Elizabeth  Griffin.  In 
his  youth,  he  learned  the  tanner’s  trade,  and  followed  that  business  for 
many  years.  He  remained  in  Kentucky  until  1829,  then  moved 
to  Illinois  and  settled  on  Lick  Creek,  in  Sangamon  county,  where 
he  remained  until  1835,  when  he  removed  to  Rochester  and  resided 
there  until  the  winter  of  1850,  when  he  came  to  Taylorville,  Chris- 
tian county,  and  engaged  in  hotel  business,  in  which  he  continued 
until  his  death,  which  occurred  July  13, 1875.  On  the  4th  of  Feb- 
ruary, 1819,  he  w’as  united  in  marriage  to  Annie  Hurlbutt.  She  is 
a native  of  Chittenden  county,  Vermont.  She  was  born  February 
14,  1801.  Her  father,  Joseph  Hurlbutt,  died  before  she  was  born. 
Her  mother  afterwards  married  George  Hawley.  By  this  marriage 
there  were  six  daughters  and  three  sons.  The  Hawley  family  left 
Vermont  September  II,  1816,  and  came  to  Ohio,  and  remained 
over  winter  in  Cincinnati.  In  March,  1817,  they  went  into 
Kentucky,  and  settled  in  Caldwell  county,  where  they  remained 
until  the  death  of  IMr.  and  Mrs.  Hawley.  Mrs.  Long  was  a resident 
of  that  county  at  the  time  of  her  marriage.  There  were  born  to 
Thomas  and  Annie  Long  nine  children,  six  of  whom  are  yet  living. 
Their  names  are : Matthew  C. ; John  H.  died  in  his  twentieth  year, 
James  G.  who  is  now  a clerk  in  the  Folding  Department,  Capitol 
building,  Washington,  D.  C.  ; William  C.  who  died  in  his  fourth 
vear,  Thomas  W.,  George  W.,  Elizabeth  Ann,  wife  of  Charles  Man- 
ners; Benjamin  F.  and  Francis  M.  Long.  The  latter  enlisted 
during  the  late  war,  and  was  elected  Captain  of  Co.  “G.”  41st  Regt. 
Illinois  Volunteers.  He  was  afterward  promoted  Major  of  the 
regiment.  He  was  wounded  in  a skirmish,  after  the  battle  of  Jack- 
.son,  IMiss.,  and  died  three  days  later  from  the  effect  of  his  wounds. 
During  the  Black  Hawk  war  in  1831-2,  Major  Long  raised  a com- 
pany of  soldiers  in  Sangamon  county  for  the  service.  He  was  elected 
captain.  Afterwards,  the  company  increased  to  a battalion,  and  he 
was  elected  major.  This  is  where  he  received  the  title  of  Major,  a 
name  by  which  he  was  ever  afterwards  familiarly  addressed.  In 
his  life  Major  Long  was  an  ardent  democrat  of  the  old  Jedersonian 
and  Jackson  school  of  politics.  Although  not  a politician  in  the 
strict  sense  of  the  word,  as  he  would  not  accept  an  office,  yet  he 
took  a lively  interest  in  all  political  contests,  and  exerted  consider- 
able influence  for  the  principles  of  the  political  organization  of 
which  he  was  a member.  Early  in  life  he  attached  himself  to  the 
.southern  wing  of  the  M.  E Ciiurch.  From  the  older  residents  of 
Taylorville  we  gather  the  information  that  Major  Long  in  his  life 
and  residence  here  was  a warm-hearted  man,  full  of  generous  im- 
pulses, but  unyielding  in  his  dispositions  and  opinions  when  he 
thought  and  believed  lie  was  in  the  right.  Of  a strictly  Iioncst  and 
honorable  nature  he  expected  of  others  a corresponding  disposition. 
Ilis  wife  still  survives  him.  She  has  ]>assed  the  scriptural  time 
allotted  to  humanity  to  live,  but  now  while  in  her  eightieth  year, 
she  is  still  hale  and  hearty,  and  bids  fair  to  live  and  cheer  her  friends 
for  many  yoiirs  to  come. 

I)H.  JOSEIMI  II.  KITZMILLER. 
fii K subject  of  this  sketch  was  born  in  Eastern  'rennessee.  May 
27,  1819.  He  is  of  German  descent.  M.  Kitzmiller,  his  father, 
is  a Baptist  minister  of  many  yctirs  standing.  He  moved  with  his 
family  to  Girard,  .Macoupin  county,  Illinois,  in  1856;  where  he 
organized  the  first  Baptist  clinrch  in  that  |ilace  tind  became  the 
|)astor,  and  from  that  titnc  to  the  ju'esent  has  lived  there  and 
remained  in  charge  of  the  Bapti-'t  organization.  He  married  Mary 


Crouch,  also  a native  of  Tennessee.  The  doctor  is  the  second  in  a 
family  of  ten  children,  seven  of  whom  are  living.  He  early  deter- 
mined to  adopt  the  profession  of  medicine  as  the  busine.ss  of  his  life, 
and  therefore,  while  yet  a young  man,  entered  the  office  of  Dr. 
Fountain  Jones,  of  Girard,  and  read  the  standard  text  books  upon 
Anatomy  and  Materia  Medica.  After  attending  lectures  in  1871-2, 
he  began  the  practice  as  a physician  in  White  Oaks,  Montgomery 
county,  Illinois.  He  remained  there  one  year,  then  removed  to 
Pana,  Christian  county,  practiced  his  profession  for  two  years, 
and  came  to  Taylorville,  Illinois,  where  he  has  resided  and 
continued  the  practice  to  the  present.  Since  his  residence  in  Tay- 
lorville, he  has  attended  lectures  in  Hahnemann  Medical  College, 
of  Chicago,  and  graduated  from  that  institution  with  the  degree 
of  M.  D. 

On  the  27th  of  May,  1874,  he  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss 
Emma  M.  Bray,  a native  of  Ohio,  but  a resident  of  Pana  at  the 
time  of  her  marriage.  Two  children  have  been  born  to  them,  a 
boy  and  a girl.  Their  names  are  Hardy  W.  and  Amy  M.  Kitz- 
miller. He  is  an  honored  member  of  the  order  of  Knights  of  Pythias, 
and  is  highly  esteemed  by  his  brethren,  temperate  in  his  habits, 
and  a strong  worker  in  the  cause  of  temperance.  Dr.  Kitzmiller 
belongs  to  the  school  of  Homeoj^athy,  is  a good  practical  physician, 
well  learned  in  the  science  of  medicine,  and  has  a daily  increasing 
practice.  He  is  charitable  at  heart,  being  ever  ready  to  lend  the  aid 
of  his  skilful  hand  to  the  needy  when  in  distress. 


WILLIAM  M.  PROVINE. 

The  subject  of  the  following  biographical  sketch  is  a native  of 
Illinois.  He  was  born  in  McDonough  county,  August  22d,  1841 . 
The  ancestry  of  the  family  on  the  paternal  side  is  Irish.  The 
foinily  removed  at  an  early  day  from  Kentucky  to  the  North- 
western territory,  afterward  the  state  of  Indiana,  where  William 
I’rovine,  the  paternal  grandfather,  was  a surveyor,  and  where  in 
1816  his  son,  William  Provine,  the  father  of  the  subject  of  this 
sketch,  was  born.  The  father,  William,  came  to  Illinois  in  1836, 
and  settled  in  INIcDonough  county,  where  he  remained  until  1846, 
when  he  removed  to  Vermont,  in  Fulton  county,  where  he  still  re- 
sides. 

He  married  Paulina  Scott,  who  was  a native  of  Kentucky,  and  of 
Irish  descent.  Her  ancestors  settled  in  the  Carolinas  prior  to  the 
revolutionary  war,  and  took  part  in  the  struggle  for  independence. 
William  INI.  is  the  second  in  a ffiniily  of  eleven  children.  In  his 
youth  he  received  a good  English  education  in  the  common  schools. 

In  the  year  1862,  when  in  his  twcnt3--first  year,  ho  enlisted  as  a 
])rivate  for  throe  years  in  Company  B,  84th  Regiment  Illinois 
Volunteers,  and  on  the  organization  of  the  company  was  elected 
sei-gcant,  and  was  j)romoted  to  the  1st  scrgeantcy  in  November, 
1862,  and  was  mustered  as  1st  Lieutenant  Nov.  18th,  1863.  The 
84th  regiment  was  recruited  and  made  up  in  wliat  is  known  as  the 
“^Military  Tract,”  and  was  under  the  command  of  Col.  Waters,  and 
served  in  the  army  of  the  Cumberland.  The  fir.st  severe  engage- 
ment and  general  battle  in  which  the  regiment  participated  was  at 
Stone  river,  where  they  lost  over  one  half  of  the  number  engaged. 
On  the,  20th  of  July,  1864,  JJeut.  Provine  was  captured  in  front  of 
Atlanta  w hile  on  the  |)icket  line,  and  taken  as  a prisoner  of  war  to 

:icon  and  thence  to  Charleston,  and  while  there  he  was  one  of  the 
officers  who,  in  the  fall  of  1864  at  the  bombardment  of  that  city, 
was,  among  others,  placed  under  fire  from  the  Union  guns.  From 
Cliarh'ston  he  was  taken  to  Columbia,  then  to  Goldsboro,  and  from 
there  to  Wilmington,  when  they  were  exchanged  on  the  1st  of 
March,  1865.  He  tlKii  returned  home  on  a thirty  days’  furlough. 


HISTORY  OF  CHRISTIAN  COUNTY,  ILLINOIS. 


135 


at  the  expiration  of  which  he  reported  by  orders  at  Benton  bar- 
racks, at  St.  Louis,  where  lie  was  detailed  as  adjutant  of  paroled 
prisoners  until  mustered  out  May,  18G5. 

After  his  discharge  from  the  service  he  returned  home  and  went 
to  Albion,  Michigan,  where  he  attended  Mayhew’s  Commercial  Col- 
lege. After  finishing  the  course  he  received  a position  as  instructor, 
and  continued  thus  employed  for  two  years.  He  also  in  his  leisure 
hours  read  the  standard  text-books  upon  law'.  In  1867  he  returned 
to  Illinois,  and  entered  the  law  office  of  Palmer  & Hay,  at  Spring- 
field,  and  continued  his  studies  until  1868,  when  he  was  admitted 
to  the  practice.  In  the  winter  of  the  same  year  he  came  to  Taylor- 
ville  and  began  the  practice  of  law',  in  which  he  remained  one  year, 
and  then  upon  the  organization  of  the  Farmers’  and  Mechanics’ 
Bank  of  Galesburg,  Illinois,  he  was  elected  cashier,  a position  which 
he  accepted  and  creditably  filled  until  Nov.,  1871,  when  he  resigned, 
and  soon  after  returned  to  Taylorville  and  began  anew'  the  profes- 
sion of  law',  and  has  continued  in  it  to  the  present.  As  a lawyer 
Mr.  Provine  is  methodical  and  logical,  and  bears  the  reputation  of 
being  a safe  counsellor,  and  a careful,  diligent,  and  capable  attorney, 
giving  his  attention  principally  to  commercial  law'  and  chancery 
cases. 

In  politics  he  is  a republican.  His  first  vote  was  cast  for  Abra- 
ham Lincoln  for  President,  while  a prisoner  of  war  at  Columbia, 
South  Carolina.  As  a matter  of  course  it  was  informal,  but  it  was 
his  political  sentiments  then,  and  tlie  succeeding  years  have  not 
changed  his  views. 

On  the  11th  of  May,  1869,  he  married  Miss  Mary  Murray,  a resi- 
dent of  Vermont,  Fulton  county,  Illinois.  Both  he  and  his  w'ife 
are  members  of  the  Presbyterian  Church. 


Dr.  LYMAN  B.  SLATFJl. 

The  Slater  family  on  both  the  maternal  and  paternal  sides  is 
of  English  ancestry.  Jay  Slater,  the  father  of  the  subject  of  this 
sketch,  was  a native  of  iMassachusetfs.  He  came  west  in  1824  and 
settled  in  Sangamon  county,  and  was  one  of  the  pioneers  of  central 
Illinois.  He  died  in  July,  I860.  AVhile  a resident  of  Sangamon 
county  he  married  Lucretia  Carman.  She  was  born  and  raised  in 
the  state  of  New'  York.  Her  family  came  to  Illinois  about  the 
.same  time  that  the  Slater  family  did,  and  were  also  among  the  first 
settlers  of  Sangamon  county.  She  died  in  September,  1853.  There 
were  six  children  in  the  family.  James  H Slater,  present  United 
States  Senator  from  Oregon,  is  the  eldest  son,  and  the  subject  of  this 
sketch  is  the  second  son  in  the  famil}'. 

Lyman  B.  Slater  was  born  in  Sangamon  county  August  7th, 
1828.  He  obtained  a fair  common  school  education  in  the  schools 
of  Sangamon  county  and  in  the  High  School  of  Springfield.  He 
worked  upon  his  father’s  farm  until  his  nineteenth  year,  w'hen  he 
taught  school,  and  at  the  age  of  twenty-one  he  commenced  studying 
medicine  under  the  direction  of  Dr.  William  Jayne,  of  Springfield, 
Avhich  he  continued  until  the  winter  of  1851-2,  when  he  attended 
lectures  in  the  Missouri  Medical  University  at  St.  Louis,  and  in  the 
following  spring  commenced  the  practice.  In  the  winter  of  1854  he 
again  entered  the  above-named  institution,  and  graduated  there- 
from with  the  degree  of  M.  D.,  February  27th,  1855.  In  the  spring 
of  1852,  as  an  undergraduate,  he  commenced  the  practice,  locating 
in  Mt.  Auburn,  and  remaining  there  until  after  his  graduation. 
He  then  w'ent  to  Kochestcr,  Sanggmon  county,  and  continued  in  the 
practice  there  until  1868,  when  he  canie  to  Grove  city,  and  in  1870 
came  to  Taylorville,  and  has  continued  here  up  to  the  present. 

In  1853  he  married  Angeline  Bodkins,  a resident  of  this  county. 
She  fell  a victim  to  the  cholera  in  1854.  On  the  4th  of  October, 


1855,  he  married  Miss  Sarah  Stockw'ell,  a native  of  Ohio,  but  a 
resident  of  St.  Louis  at  the  time  of  her  marriage.  Nine  children 
are  the  fruits  of  this  union,  six  of  whom  are  living.’  Both  he  and 
his  wife  are  mendjers  of  the  M.  E.  Church. 

In  politics  he  is  a republican,  but  he  takes  no  part  in  politics 
further  than  to  express  his  preference  in  the  right  of  suffrage.  He 
is  a member  of  the  ancient  and  honorable  order  of  Freemasonry. 
Dr.  Slater  belongs  to  the  regular  school  of  medicine,  and  in  its 
practice  has  been  very  successful.  He  bears  the  reputation  of  a 
Christian  gentleman  and  an  honorable  man. 


HARRY  CHENEY 

Was  born  in  Coshocton  county,  Ohio,  November  30th,  184‘2.  His 
father,  Abraham  Cheney,  was  born  and  raised  in  Pennsylvania. 
He  removed  to  Ohio  in  1824,  and  remained  there  until  1843,  when 
he  came  to  Illinois  and  settled  in  Sangamon  county  and  engaged  in 
farming.  There  he  remained  until  1870,  when  he  came  to  Christian 
county,  and  now  lives  with  the  subject  of  this  sketch.  He  married 
Jeannette  Evans,  who  was  also  born  and  reared  in  Pennsylvania. 
She  died  September  26,  1875.  By  this  marriage  there  were  eight 
children,  six  of  whom  are  now'  living — four  girls  and  two  sons.  The 
tw'O  sons  that  died  had  reaehed  maturity,  married  and  left  fiimilies. 
Harry  Cheney  is  the  youngest  of  the  family.  In  his  youth, 
he  attended  the  common  schools  of  Springfield,  Illinois,  and 
received  a good  education.  From  there  he  went  to  St.  Louis  and 
attended  commercial  school,  and  after  that  entered  the  post-office 
at  St.  Louis  as  clerk.  He  remained  in  that  capa  ity  for  four  years, 
after  w'hich  he  received  the  appointment  as  deputy  marshal  for  St. 
Louis  county.  He  acceptably  filled  that  position  for  two  and  a 
half  years,  w hen  he  returned  to  Springfield,  Illinois  and  engaged 
in  the  drug  business,  in  which  he  continued  for  several  years.  In 
the  spring  of  1870  he  came  to  Christian  county  and  commenced 
farming,  and  to  the  present  time  he  remains  so  engaged.  In  politics 
he  has  ahvays  been  a democrat,  or  since  he  cast  his  first  vote, 
which  was  for  Gen.  George  B.  McClellan  for  president,  in  1864.  He 
has,  since  then,  voted  and  acted  with  the  party  of  his  first  choice. 
He  is  an  honored  member  of  the  Knights  of  Pythias,  and  belongs 
to  IMystic  Lodge,  No.  64, 

In  the  spring  of  1880  he  became  the  democratic  candidate  for  the 
office  of  sujiervisor  of  Taylorville  township,  and  was  elected  by  a 
handsome  majority.  He  is  a young  man,  full  of  push,  enterprise 
and  sound  sense,  and  will  serve  his  constituents  in  a creditable  man- 
ner. In  his  manners  he  is  a genial  and  sociable  gentleman,  and  in  his 
intercourse  and  business  with  men,  he  is  honest,  capable  and  reliable. 
Such  is  the  verdict  of  those  who  have  known  him  for  many  years. 


ABNER  BOND. 

The  Bond  family  on  the  iraternal  side  are  of  English  ancestry. 
John  Bond,  the  father  of  Abner  Bond,  was  born  in  Bedford 
county,  Virginia  He  moved  to  Ohio  in  the  year  1800,  and 
remained  there  until  1838,  when  he  removed  to  AVayne  county, 
Indiana,  where  he  died  in  April,  1876.  He  married  Elizabeth  Mc- 
Millan. She  is  a native  of  Pennsylvania.  She  is  still  living  on 
the  old  homestead,  in  AA^ayne  county.  Nine  children  were  born  to 
John  and  Elizabeth  Bond,  all  of  whom  are  living.  Abner  is  the 
fourth  in  the  family.  He  was  born  in  Belmont  county,  Ohio,  Aug. 
11,  1832.  His  youth  was  passed  upon  his  father’s  farm,  and  in  the 
common  schools  of  Indiana  he  received  a good  education  in  the 
common  branches,  At  the  age  of  nineteen  he  entered  a grocery 
store  in  Indiana  as  clerk.  He  remained  there  one  year,  when  he 


136 


HISrORY  OF  CHRISTIAN  COUNTY,  ILLINOIS. 


commenced  the  business  of  clock  peddling.  He  sold  clocks  and 
attended  to  the  collections  for  the  same  for  fifteen  years.  He 
traveled  in  that  line  of  business  over  the  states  of  Illinois,  Indiana, 
Ohio,  ^Missouri,  and  ]}ortions  of  Kansas  and  Iowa.  In  1862  he  came 
to  Christian  county,  Illinois,  and  purchased  land.  Since  that  time 
this  county  has  j^ractically  been  his  home. 

He,  however,  was,  for  one  year,  a resident  of  Missouri.  In  1868 
he  purchased  a section  of  land,  which  he  still  retains,  west  and  ad- 
joining the  section  upon  which  the  village  of  Willey  now  stands. 
Since  he  has  been  a resident  of  this  county,  his  principal  business 
has  been  fanning,  trading,  and  shipping  stock,  in  which  he  has 
been  quite  successful.  His  residence  in  the  county  dates  from  1852. 
He  made  his  brother’s  residence,  A.  D.  Bond,  of  Buckhart  town- 
ship, his  home  while  he  was  traveling  in  the  clock  business. 

On  the  loth  of  April,  1870,  he  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss 
Elizabeth  E.  Hall.  She  was  born  in  Sangamon  county,  Illinois. 
She  is  the  elde.st  daughter  of  Dickson  Hall,  who  was  among  the 
early  settlers  of  Christian  county.  Four  children  have  been  born  to 
them — two  boys  and  two  girls.  Mrs.  Bond  is  a member  of  the 
Presbyterian  church. 

In  politics,  Mr.  Bond  is  an  ardent  republican.  He  cast  his  first 
vote  for  Abraham  Lincoln,  in  1860,  and  from  that  time  to  the 
pre.sent,  has  acted  and  voted  with  the  party  of  his  first  choice.  He 
is  among  the  prominent  and  representative  men  in  this  community, 
and  has  served  his  township  in  the  capacity  of  supervisor  for  five 
successful  terms.  He  was  chairman  of  that  body  for  several  years. 
As  an  official  he  looked  carefully  after  the  interests  of  his  county 
and  locality,  and  was  a prudent  and  pains-taking  officer.  In  this 
community,  where  he  has  long  resided,  none  are  more  respected  for 
their  worth  as  a man  and  citizen  than  Abner  Bond.  He  is  a 
member  of  the  honorable  order  of  A.  F.  & A.  M. 


X.  DOUGLAS  RICKS. 

Among  the  pioneers  and  early  settlers  of  Christian  county  was 
W.  S.  Ricks,  father  of  the  present  sketch.  He  settled  in  what  is 
now  known  as  Bear  Oeek  townshij)  as  early  as  1835,  four  years 
prior  to  the  organization  of  the  county.  Both  branches  of  the 
Ricks’  family  are  of  English  descent.  Their  ancestors  came  to 
America  and  .settled  in  the  Caroliiias  at  a time  anterior  to  the  rev- 
olution. They  took  an  active  and  prominent  part  in  that  memora- 
ble struggle  for  independence.  The  family  subsequently  removed 
to  Kentucky,  where  Mr.  Ricks  was  born.  After  he  came  to  Illinois 
he  engaged  in  farming.  Upon  the  organization  of  the  county  he 
w!is  elected  its  first  sheriff.  He  also  filled  other  important  positions 
and  repre.sented  this  district  in  the  State  Legislature.  He  married 
Margaret  Boiiil,  a native  of  Xortli  Carolina.  By  this  marriage 
there  were  eleven  children,  five  of  whom  are  still  living.  The  sub- 
ject of  this  sketch  is  the  youngest  of  tlie  family.  He  was  born  in 
Bear  Creek  townshij),  March  7th,  18K!.  His  youth  was  j)assed 
uj)on  the  farm  and  in  attending  the  .schools  of  his  ncighl)orhood  in 
the  winter  months.  As  he  advanced  to  manhood  he  ensasred  in 
teaching  school  for  a short  time  and  clerking  in  a store.  From  1864 
to  1867  he  was  engaged  in  farmingand  in  the  stock  busine.ss.  In  1869 
he  commcnccfl  the  Title  Abstract  busine.s.s.  In  1870, ’71  and ’72 
he  was  D.  i)utv  Circuit  Clerk  under  his  brotlier,  John  B.  Ricks. 
During  this  time  he  acquired  a knowledge  and  familiarity  with  the 
records  of  the  county,  which  induced  liim  to  ado|)t  as  a business 
the  making  of 'litle  Abstracts.  After  a carefid  investigation  of  the 
different  systems  lie  concluded  that  W.  A.  Barnes’s  was  the  best, 
and  accordingly  adojited  it  and  worked  uj)  a s(‘t  of  records  uj)on 
that  jilan.  'I'lie  succe.xs  which  has  attended  him  justifies  the  wi.sdoni 


of  his  choice.  No  more  complete  or  reliable  title  abstract  records 
can  be  found  anywhere.  He  soon  after  added  the  loan  business 
and  general  conveyancing.  In  1873  he  was  appointed  Notary 
Public,  and  in  1877  was  reappointed.  On  the  21st  of  December, 
1865,  he  was  married  to  Miss  Mary,  daughter  of  E.  G.  and  Margaret 
Spencer,  of  Marion  county,  Missouri.  Six  children  have  been  born 
to  them,  two  of  whom  are  living. 

In  politics  Mr.  Ricks  is  a sound  democrat  and  in  thorough  ac- 
cord with  the  jnlnciples  of  his  party.  He  is  a respected  member  of 
the  ancient  and  honorable  order  of  A.  F.  and  A.  M.  Mr.  Ricks  in 
his  manners  is  an  agreeable  and  courteous  gentleman,  of  a genial 
disposition  and  very  popular  among  the  citizens  of  his  county, 
where  he  has  been  long  and  favorably  known.  In  May,  1880,  he 
received  the  nomination  for  Circuit  Clerk  from  the  democratic 
party. 


F.  M.  MINNIS 

W.VS  born  on  section  1,  town  13,  range  3 west,  Christian  county, 
November  3,  1832.  His  father,  James  Minnis.  was  a native 
of  Christian  county,  Ky.  The  family  were  originallv  from  Louisi- 
ana. The  Minnis  fiimily  came  to  Christian  county  in  1828,  and 
purchased  land  of  Dr.  Alex.  Ralston  in  the  section  above  named, 
and  remained  there  until  the  death  of  the  father  in  1857.  He 
married  Hester  Ann  Outhouse.  She  was  also  a native  of  Christian 
county,  Ky.  She  died  in  1873.  There  were  ten  children,  five  boys 
and  five  girls — all  of  whom  reached  maturity.  Nine  ai’c  yet  living. 
John  R.  enlisted  as  a soldier  in  the  late  war,  and  was  a member  of 
Co.  “A”  115th  regiment,  Illinois  Infantry.  He  died  while  the 
regiment  was  at  Camj)  Butler,  from  a congestive  chill  and  lack  of 
proper  medical  treatment.  The  subject  of  this  sketch  is  the  fourth 
in  the  fiimily.  He  attended  the  public  or  subscription  schools  of 
his  neighborhood  and  received  instruction  in  the  common  branches. 
His  education  was  limited,  yet  he  has  been  able  to  conduct  business 
in  a methodical  way  and  in  a sj’stematic  manner.  He  remained  at 
home  until  he  was  nineteen  years  of  age,  when  he  hired  to  work  on  the 
farm  for  his  neighbor,  Joel  I’otts.  He  worked  for  him  two  years,  when 
his  father  entered  forty  acres  of  land,  the  same  iqjon  which  the  resi- 
dence of  Mr.  Minnis  now  stands.  He  then  purchased  forty  acres  more 
adjoining,  and  gave  it  to  F.  M.,  who  had  the  privilege  of  paying 
for  it  at  the  cost  price,  which  he  in  the  course  of  time  was  able  to  do. 
He  commenced  its  improvement  in  1853.  During  this  time  he  still 
boarded  with  Mr.  Potts.  In  1855,  he  purchased  sixty  acres  more, 
and  to  this  he  has  added  until  now  he  owns  a large  tract,  all  of 
which  is  well  imj)rovcd  and  under  good  cultivation.  On  the  3d  of 
December,  1857,  he  was  united  in  marriage  to  IMiss  Jane  George. 
Her  father,  John  George,  is  a native  of  Virginia.  He  came  with 
his  father  to  this  state  while  yet  a youth.  IMrs  IMinnis’  mother’s 
maiden  name  was  Mary  Ann  Bohannon.  She  was  a resident  of 
Christian  county  at  the  time  of  her  marriage.  There  have  been  nine 
children  born  to  F.  M.  and  Jane  Minnis,  eight  of  whom  are  living. 
John  William,  the  eldest,  died  in  infancy;  Henry  Oscar,  Matilda 
Josej)hine,  Mary  Elizabeth,  Ali)licus  Sylvester,  Eddie  Elbert, 
Thomas  Thcotlore,  Willie  and  Carrie  May,  are  all  yet  at  home. 
Mrs  IMinnis  is  a member  of  the  Baj)tist  church.  In  politics  Mr. 
IMinnis  is  a democrat,  and  cast  his  first  vote  for  James  Buchanan 
in  1856,  since  which  time  he  has  been  a member  of  the  party.  He 
is  not  a politician  oidy  so  far  as  to  exercise, his  right  of  suffrage. 
He  has  been  as.scssor  I'or  his  township  several  terms.  Farming  and 
stock-raising  has  been  his  j)rinci])al  occujiation  through  life,  excejit 
from  1875  to  1878,  during  which  years  he  was  engaged  in  the  mill- 
ing inisinc.ss  in  Pana,  lllinoi.s.  In  the  latter  year  he  moved  back  to 
his  farm,  and  lias  remained  there  to  the  present.  Mr.  Minnis 


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HISTORY  OF  CHRISTIAN  COUNTY,  ILLINOIS. 


137 


lias  been  a successful  fanner,  which  is  attributable  to  his  industry, 
good  business  tact  and  manner  of  doing  business.  In  the  neighbor- 
hood, and  whereever  known,  he  is  regarded  as  an  honest,  ui>right 
and  fair-dealing  man  whose  word  is  as  good  as  his  bond. 

GEORGE  WAGONER. 

The  subject  of  this  sketch  is  a native  of  Illinois.  The  Wagoner 
family  came  originally  from  Virginia,  and  were  the  pioneers  of  two 
States,  viz:  Ohio  and  Illinois.  George  Wagoner,  the  grandfather, 
was  a native  of  Virginia.  He  Avas  born  February  24,  1779,  and 
was  a brave  soldier  in  the  war  of  1812.  lie  moved  to  Pennsylva- 
nia, where  he  married  Juda  Worstbaugh.  She  was  born  Novem- 
ber 29th,  1798,  and  died  in  Sangamon  county,  Illinois,  January 
3d,  1862.  Mr.  Wagoner  moved  from  Pennsylvania  to  Ohio,  where 
he  remained  until  1821,  when  he  brought  his  family  to  Illinois  and 
settled  in  Sangamon  county,  where  he  continued  to  reside  until  his 
death,  which  occurred  Dec.  24th,  1863.  There  were  eleven  children 
born  to  George  and  Juda  Wagoner,  ten  of  whom  are  still  living. 
There  are  descended  from  them  seventy-eight  grandchildren  that 
are  now  living.  Ozias,  the  father  of  the  present  sketch,  Avas  born 
in  Ohio,  March  12th,  1814.  John  Wagoner,  the  brother  of  Ozias 
and  eldest  son,  Avas  a soldier  in  the  Black  Hawk  Avar.  Ozias  moved 
to  Menard  county,  to  a place  two  miles  and  a-half  north  of  Peters- 
burg. He  Avas  a resident  there  during  the  years  1831,  ’32,  and 
recollects  Avell  the  “Deep  SnoAV.”  He  afterwards  came  back  to 
Sangamon  county,  Avhere  he  continued  farming  until  1858,  Avhen  he 
came  to  Christian  county  and  settled  in  South  Fork  toAvnship, 
Avhere  he  purchased  land.  Two  years  later  he  sold  out  and  removed 
to  Buckhart  tOAvnship,  and  remained  there  until  1874,  Avhen  he  re- 
turned to  Sangamon  county,  Avhere  he  is  at  present.  He 
married  Rebecca  Jane  Shephard,  February  16th,  1837.  She  Avas 
born  September  17th,  1817.  She  was  a sister  of  James  Shephard, 
Avho  Avas  for  a number  of  years  assessor  and  collector  of  Springtield, 
but  better  knoAvn,  however,  for  his  connection  with  the  early  jour- 
nalism of  Illinois — a business  in  Avhich  he  still  continues  in  Iowa. 
Rebecca  J.  AVagoner  died  October  27th,  1847,  Avhile  a resident  of 
Menard  county.  On  the  12th  of  February,  1848,  Mr.  Wagoner 
married  Hannah  Leonard.  She  was  born  February  16th,  1828, 
and  still  survives.  By  the  latter  marriage  there  are  two  children. 
By  the  first  there  Avere  five.  George  is  the  eldest  son  by  the  first 
marriage.  He  Avas  born  in  Sangamon  county,  January  12th,  1838. 
His  education  was  obtained  in  the  subscription  schools  of  Sangamon 
and  Menard  counties.  His  mother  dying  Avhile  he  was  yet  young, 
he  was  placed  in  charge  of  his  uncle;  then  Avith  Dr.  Allen,  of  Peters- 
burg, Avith  Avhom  he  remained  several  years  ; he  was  then  sent  to 
Springfield,  and  lived  with  T.  V.  Owens,  Avho  Avas  in  the  drug  trade. 
He  Avorked  in  the  store,  did  chores,  Avent  to  school  during  the 
Avinter  months,  and  afterwards  lived  Avith  H.  P.  Cone,  Avho  Avas  in 
the  livery  business,  and  from  there  returned  home,  Avhere  he  re- 
mained until  the  Avar  broke  out.  On  the  25th  of  June,  1861, he 
enlisted  as  a private  in  Company  B.,  afterwards  a part  of  the  11th 
Missouri  Regiment.  The  company  was  organized  in  Springfield) 
Illinois,  but  the  quota  of  Illinois  troops  being  full  the  company 
Avent  to  St.  Louis  and  entered  the  State  service  for  thirty  dajs, 
after  which  they  Avere  regularly  transferred  to  the  United  States 
service.  For  six  months  after  their  organization  they  Avere  known 
as  the  1st  Regiment  Missouri  Volunteers.  Colonel  Bayles  Avas  the 
first  colonel.  He  Avas  afterwards  dishonorably  discharged  from  the 
service,  and  Captain  Plummer  Avas  appointed  colonel.  He  Avas  suc- 
ceeded by  Colonel  MoAver,  of  Avhom  it  may  be  said  that  no  braA’er 
man  ever  breathed  or  displayed  more  dauntless  courage  in  the  face 
of  foe  than  he.  The  regiment  Avent  to  Cape  Girardeau,  and  after- 
18 


Avards  joined  Pope’s  Army  of  the  Mi.ssLs.sippi.  It  received  its  first 
baptism  of  fire  at  Frederick.sburg,  Missouri.  It  Avas  brigaded  Avith 
the  8th  AVi-sconsin,  5th  Minnesota,  47th  Illinois  regiments,  and 
comprised  and  Avas  knoAvn  as  the  “ Eagle  Brigade,’’  from  the  fact  of 
the  8th  AVisconsin  having  the  famous  live  eagle  knoAvn  as  “ Old 
Abe,”  Avho  accompanied  the  regiment  in  all  of  their  marches  and 
Avas  present  in  every  battle  in  Avhich  they  Avere  engaged.  His 
shrill  scream  could  be  heard  above  the  roar  of  cannon  and  din  of 
musketry  as  he  folloAved  the  fortunes  of  the  brave  command  through 
many  a hard-fought  battle.  AVhile  the  regiment  Avas  under  Pope’s 
command  they  took  part  in  the  fight  at  Ncav  Madrid  and  capture 
of  Island  No.  10,  after  Avhich  they  AV'ent  to  Tiptonville  to 
silence  the  batteries  and  keep  the  rebel  gunboats  from  coming  up 
the  river.  To  this  brigade  Avas  attached,  for  a long  time.  Spoors’ 
2d  loAva  and  Dees’  3d  Michigan  batteries.  From  Tiptonville  the 
command  Avas  ordered  to  Fort  PilloAV.  During  their  stay  there  the 
Shiloh  battle  occurred.  They  AA'ere  ordered  to  proceed  to  Cairo,  and 
from  there  up  the  Tennessee  river  to  Shiloh,  Avhere  Pope’s  entire 
army  joined  Halleck’s  forces.  From  there  they  Avent  and 
fought  the  battle  of  Farmington,  and  then  moved  out  and  occupied 
the  battle-ground,  and  thrcAV  up  breastAvorks  preparatory  to  the  in- 
vestment of  Corinth.  The  evacuation  of  the  25lace  occurred  soon 
after,  Avhen  the  command  Avent  into  camp  fur  instruction,  Avhere 
they  remained  until  September,  Avhen  they  Avere  ordered  to  inter- 
cept the  rebel  forces  under  General  Price.  Then  folloAved  the 
battle  of  luka,  after  Avhich  they  came  back,  and  on  the  3d  and  4th 
days  of  October  fought  the  desjierate  battle  knoAvn  as  the  second 
battle  of  Corinth.  In  this  fight  the  gallant  11th  Missouri  did  heroic 
Avork  and  saved  the  army  of  Rosencrans  from  complete  rout.  But 
in  order  to  do  this  much  they  were  compelled,  Avith  the  assistance 
of  the  batteries  above  named,  to  charge  and  drive  back  the  entire 
rebel  force.  So  terrific  AA’as  their  charge,  and  so  galling  and  de- 
structive Avas  their  fire  upon  the  rebel  forces,  that  it  thrcAV  them 
into  confusion,  and,  before  they  could  recover,  the  11th  Missouri 
Avas  upon  them  Avith  fixed  bayonets  and  charging  and  driving  them 
back  Avith  irresistible  force.  After  the  battle  of  Corinth  the  com- 
mand Avent  Avith  General  Grant  to  Oxford,  IMississippi,  and  then 
back  to  Lagrange,  Tennessee,  Avhere  they  Avent  into  Avinter  quarters. 
In  the  spring,  as  soon  as  an  advance  movement  Avas  made,  they  Avent 
to  Vicksburg  and  jiarticipatcd  in  the  siege  and  capture  of  that 
place.  During  the  investment  of  Vicksburg  they  Avere  a part  of 
the  command  under  Colonel  MoAA’er  that  fought  the  battle  of  Jack- 
son,  Mississippi.  The  11th  Missouri  Avas  also  in  the  disastrous 
charge  on  the  22d  of  May,  1863,  Avhen  the  assault  Avas  made  on  ti  e 
Avorks  at  Vicksburg,  in  Avhich  they  lost  eighty  men  killed  outright. 
After  the  surrender  the  regiment  Avent  to  BlackAvater,  Avhen  Mr. 
Wagoner  Avas  appointed  Division  Wagon-Master.  His  Avagons  Avere 
soon  after  captured  at  GuutoAvn  by  General  Forrest,  after  Avhicb  he 
returned  to  the  regiment,  and  participated  in  the  battle  of  Tupalo, 
and  soon  after  AA'as  discharged.  His  discharge  dates  August  17th, 
1864.  He  then  returned  home  and  engaged  in  farming  in  Buck- 
hart  toAvnship,  in  Avhich  he  continued  for  three  years,  and  then  re- 
moved to  Taylorville  toAvnship.  On  the  1st  of  February,  1874,  he 
came  to  Taylorville  and  purchased  the  livery,  feed  and  sale  stables, 
AA’hich  he  has  operated  in  addition  to  firming  until  the  present. 
On  the  4th  of  January,  1865,  he  married  IMiss  Rachel  Honnold, 
of  this  county.  She  Avas  raised  in  Springfield,  Illinois.  Six  children 
have  been  born  to  them,  all  of  Avhom  are  living.  Their  names  are: 
Frederick  A.,  Annie  Laurie,  Albert,  Charles  EdAvard,  Frank  and 
Minnie  Wagoner.  He  has  been  a member  of  the  republican  party 
since  1860,  Avhen  he  cast  his  first  presidential  vote  for  Abraham 
Lincoln.  His  Avife  is  a member  of  the  M.  E.  Church. 


138 


HISTORY  OF  CHRISTIAN  COUNTY,  ILLINOIS. 


We  have  thus  briefly  sketcliod  Mr.  W'^agoner’s  life.  He  was  a 
gallant  and  brave  soldier,  as  were  also  other  members  of  the  family. 
Four  of  them  enlisted,  shouldered  their  muskets  and  fought  for 
constitutional  liberty  and  the  perpetuation  of  the  union.  All  honor 
to  them  for  their  heroic  conduct  in  the  defense  of  the  right. 


Dr.  JOSEPH  H.  CLARK.— (Deceased). 

Was  born  in  Christian  county,  Kentucky,  April  6,1819.  James 
C.,  his  father,  was  born  in  Virginia,  and  at  an  early  age  removed 
to  South  Carolina,  and  subsequently  to  Kentucky.  The  Clark 
family  are  au  old  one,  and  came  from  England  prior  to  the  Revolu- 
tionary war.  Rolan  Clark,  the  great-grandfather  of  Dr.  Clark, 
held  three  commissions  under  king  George.  James  C.,  the  father, 
married  Hannah  Henderson.  She  was  a native  of  South  Carolina, 
and  her  father  a native  of  Ireland.  James  C.  Clark  moved  to 
Illinois  in  April,  1844,  and  settled  in  Taylorville  township,  and  re- 
mained here  until  his  death  in  November,  1875.  His  wife,  and 
mother  of  this  subject,  died  in  August,  1845.  Dr.  J.  H.  is  the  third 
of  a family  of  twelve  children.  He  commenced  the  study  of 
medicine  in  1838-9,  under  the  direction  of  Dr.  T.  P.  Poole,  of 
Christian  county,  Kentucky.  He  attended  the  Washington 
Medical  College  of  Ohio,  since  removed  to  Cincinnati,  and 
now  known  as  the  Eclectic  Medical  Institute  of  Ohio.  He 
graduated  from  that  institution  with  the  degree  of  M.  D.  He  com- 
menced the  practice  in  his  native  county  in  1842,  and  in  1844  came 
to  Taylorville.  He  entered  land  in  Johnson  township  with  a view 
to  following  farming  and  abandoning  medicine.  He  however  kept  \ 
medicine  on  hand  and  prescribed  for  his  neighbors  which  ultimately 
increased  into  a regular  practice.  In  1856,  he  moved  into  Taylor- 
ville and  opened  an  office  in  the  court-house.  He  remained  in  the 
practice  until  his  death,  which  occurred  March  11,  1880.  He 
married  Lydia  D.  Hardy  on  the  10th  day  of  November,  1840.  She 
is  a native  of  Christian  county,  Kentucky.  Twelve  children  have 
been  born  to  them,  five  of  whom  are  living. 

Lewis  Hardy  Clark,  the  third  son,  was  born  on  the  29th  of  June, 
1844.  He  attended  the  country  schools  and  received  a good  educa- 
tion. He  read  medicine  in  his  father’s  office  and  under  his  direction, 
and  in  January,  1807,  he  attended  a course  of  lectures  in  the  Eclectic 
Institute  at  Cincinnati,  Ohio.  He  returned  home  and  began  the  prac- 
tice in  connection  with  his  father.  In  October,  1 867,  he  again  entered 
the  above-named  institution,  and  graduated  therefrom  February  9, 
1868,  with  the  degree  of  M.  D.  In  1872,  both  he  and  his  father 
became  members  of  the  State  Eclectic  INIedical  Society. 

On  the  29th  of  October,  18(i8,  he  was  united  in  marriage  to  IMiss 
Elenora  Maxwell.  She  was  born  and  raised  in  this  county.  Her 
parents  were  natives  of  Ohio.  One  child,  a daughter,  has  been  the 
fruit  of  this  union.  Her  name  is  Wauiiita  Clark.  Dr.  Lewis  H. 
Clark  is  a respected  ami  active  member  of  the  order  of  Knights  of 
Pythias,  an  ancient  order  of  united  workmen.  In  the  jiraciicc  of 
his  cIkwcii  profession,  both  he  and  his  father  have  been  very  .success- 
ful. His  practice  is  large;  ami  lucrative,  and  constantly  increasing. 

He  is  a very  pleasing  gentleman,  with  good  address,  and  bears  the 
character  of  an  honorable  man. 

Dr.  J.  H.,  the  father,  during  his  life  was  a democrat  in  jxflitics, 
and  was  fref|uently  honored  by  his  ])arty  in  being  placed  in  oflice. 
He  was  elected  .lustice  of  the  I’eace  in  1848,  and  afterwards  electcel 
Associate  .luslicc  for  the  county.  During  his  occupancy  of  the 
latt'T  oflice,  the  ])rc.sent  conrt-hou.se  was  built,  at  a cost  of  .$16,000. 
lie  was  a warm-hearte<l,  generous  man,  of  a most  kindly  disposition 
and  even  temperament,  and  liad  many  friemls  in  the  county. 


WILLIAM  T.  IMARTIN. 

The  subject  of  the  following  sketch  is  a native  of  Cherokee 
county,  Alabama,  and  was  born  June  11th,  1844.  His  father,  John 
Martin,  was  a native  of  Ireland.  He  removed  with  his  family  to 
Georgia,  where  both  parents  died  while  William  T.  was  yet  in  his 
infancy.  At  the  age  of  fifteen  years  he  commenced  the  trade  of 
printing,  at  Rome,  Georgia,  and  afterwards  worked  in  an  office  in 
Atlanta,  and  was  a resident  of  that  place  when  the  rebellion  broke 
out.  He  was  among  the  first  to  enter  the  service.  He  enlisted  in 
April,  1861,  in  Company  A,  8th  Georgia  Infantry,  under  the  com- 
mand of  Colonel  Bartow.  He  was  in  the  command  that  ca})tured 
Rickett’s  Battery  at  the  first  battle  of  Bull  Run.  His  regiment 
w’as  attached  to  General  Lee’s  army,  and  he  participated  in  all  the 
hai’d-fought  battles  in  which  Lee’s  army  was  engaged.  The  regi- 
ment was  a part  of  Longstreet’s  corps.  After  the  battle  of  Gettys- 
burg Longstreet’s  corps  was  sent  to  Tennessee,  and  there  he  parti- 
cipated in  the  battle  of  Chickamauga  and  siege  of  Knoxville.  He 
was  afterwards  exchanged  from  the  infantry  to  the  cavalry  service, 
and  while  in  that  arm  of  the  service  the  command  acted  as  an 
escort  to  General  Forrest.  On  the  7th  of  September,  1864,  he  was 
detailed  as  bearer  of  dispatches  to  General  Price,  and  w'as  taken 
prisoner  while  crossing  the  Mississippi  river.  He  was  sent  to 
Chicago,  where  he  remained  a prisoner  of  war  until  after  the  sur- 
render of  Lee  and  close  of  the  war.  He  had  also  been  captured  at 
the  battle  of  Antietam,  but  was  soon  after  paroled,  joined  his  com- 
mand, and  took  part  in  the  battle  of  Fredericksburg,  Virginia.  He 
was  w'ounded  twice;  the  first  time  in  one  of  the  battles  before  Ricb- 
moud,  and  at  Antietam.  After  his  release  in  Chicago  he  went  to 
Macon  City,  Macon  county,  Illinois,  and  remained  there  several 
months,  then  came  to  Taylorville,  where  he  worked  at  the  printing 
business.  In  1866  he  returned  south,  and  stayed  one  summer,  then 
came  back  to  Taylorville.  In  1867  he  went  south  again,  then  back 
to  Evansville,  Indiana,  then  to  St.  Louis,  and  in  1870  came  again 
to  Taylorville,  and  in  1871  purchased  the  Democrat  and  continued 
its  publication  until  January  1st,  1880.  On  the  3d  of  February, 
1870,  he  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Sima  0.,  daughter  of  Hon. 
W.  S.  IMoore,  of  Taylorville.  By  this  marriage  there  is  one  child, 
i a boy  named  Robert  II.  He  is  a member  of  the  I.  O.  O.  F.,  and 
takes  an  active  part  in  the  deliberations  of' that  body.  In  politics 
he  is  a democrat,  and  adheres  to  the  fortunes  of  that  party.  As  a 
newspaper  manager  l\Ir.  Martin  demonstrated  his  ability  to  run  a 
newspaper  successfully.  He  is  a writer  of  more  than  ordinary 
ability,  and  a gentleman  who  bears  a most  excellent  character  in 
the  community. 

WILLIAM  C.  HAINES 

Was  born  in  Virginia  September  21st,  1832.  Isaac  Haines,  his 
father,  was  a native  of  the  same  state,  and  was  a preacher  of  the 
M.  E.  Church  and  circuit  rider.  In  1836  he  came  to  Sangamon 
county,  Illinois.  Here  he  rode  a circuit  embracing  a large  portion 
of  this  county.  He  died  in  1838.  He  married  Lucy  C.  Furgerson. 
Two  children  were  born  to  them  who  lived  to  maturity.  After  the 
death  of  Mr.  Haines,  his  wife  married  Col.  Thomas  S.  Ah)ung,  by 
whom  there  was  one  girl,  now  the  wife  of  W.  I.  Woodruff.  Lucy 
Ann,  the  only  sister  of  W.  C.,  is  the  wife  of  J.  N.  Clark,  and  is  a 
resident  of  south-east  Missouri. 

The  subject  of  this  sketch,  in  1839,  removed  with  his  mother  to 
this  county,  where  she  afterwards  married  as  above  stated.  His 
youth  was  spent  upon  the  farm  and  in  attending  the  schools  of  the 
county.  In  his  twentieth  year  he,  in  comi)any  with  five  others, 
made  the  trij)  to  California  with  ox-teams  by  the  overland  route. 


MANUFACTURERS  OF 
THESATTELY  SULKY  PLOW 
DsAUfis  .y  FaK'yi  Machii  Field  Seeds- 

Ta<ldfivi  LLE,  III. 


manufacturers  OF 

FLOWS  HARROWS&CULTIVATORS 

TAYLOR  VI  LLE,  I LL  . 


SATTCLY  BRO'S,  AGRICULTURAL  WORKS,  TAYLORVILLE,  ILLINOIS- 


ik«  Librii7 
df  the 

jniv«relty  of  lllWfe 


HISTORY  OF  CHRISTIAN  COUNTY,  ILLINOIS. 


139 


Tlie  party  left  here  on  llie  27th  of  March,  1852,  and  arrived  in  the  ' 
“ Golden  State”  on  the  21st  of  August  of  the  same  year.  Wliile  in 
California  he  engaged  in  iniiiing  for  the  greater  portion  of  his  time,  | 

also  in  grain  dealing,  and  for  a while  kept  a hay-yard  in  Sacra-  ] 

mento  city.  lie  returned  via  the  Isthmus  and  New  York,  and  ar- 
rived at  home  on  the  7th  of  October,  1859.  1 

On  the  15th  of  December  of  the  same  year  he  married  Miss  Lucy  | 
Ellen,  daughter  of  E.  S.  Young,  who  was  one  of  the  early  settlers, 
and  the  first  County  Clerk  of  Christian  county.  She  died  Decem- 
ber 14th,  1865.  Two  children  are  the  fruits  of  this  marriage,  one  ' 
of  whom  is  living.  Her  name  is  Dora  E.  On  the  1st  of  January, 
1867,  he  married  Miss  IMaggie  E.  Hancock,  a native  of  Henderson  | 

county,  Kentucky.  Six  children  have  been  born  to  them,  four  of  j 

whom  are  living,  and  are  yet  at  home.  Their  names  are  Dora  E., 
Belle,  William  C.,  Irene,  Eugene.  Two  died  ; their  names  were  j 
Maud  E.,  who  died  in  infancy,  and  Clarence  W.,  who  died  in  his 
fifth  year. 

Mr.  Haines,  after  his  return  from  California,  engaged  in  farming, 
at  which  he  continued  until  1877,  when  he  was  appointed  constable,  j 
and  continued  in  that  office  and  position  until  February,  1880.  In 
1878  he  was  ajipointed  Deputy  Sheriff  under  Sheriff  Clark,  which  i 
office  he  held  until  IMr.  Clark’s  death,  when  he  was  appointeil  by  i 
the  Board  of  Supervisors  to  fill  the  vacancy,  and  is  now  Sheriff  of  j 
the  county  of  Christian.  He  has  always  been  a democrat,  and  cast 
his  first  })residential  vote  for  James  Buchanan  in  1856,  and  since 
that  time  has  been  a stanch  and  consistent  member  of  the  party. 

Mr.  Haines,  as  will  be  seen,  is  one  of  the  early  settlers  and  pio-  i 
neers  of  Christian  county.  He  came  here  when  this  section  of  the 
state  was  young  and  undeveloped.  He  cheerfully  bore  his  portion 
of  the  hardships  and  privations  incident  to  the  early  settlement  of  | 
Illinois,  and  has  lived  to  see  what  was  then  a barren  and  unin-  ' 
habited  wilderness  grow  to  be  one  of  the  finest  agricultural  districts 
in  central  Illinois,  and  the  landscape  dotted  over  with  the  happy 
homes  of  hundreds  of  husbandmen.  In  his  pre.sent  official  capacity 
he  brings  to  the  office  a thorough  knowledge  of  the  duties  thereto 
appertaining,  and  a lai’ge  and  extended  acquaintance  throughout  j 
the  county.  In  the  management  of  the  office  he  is  a j)rudent,  care- 
ful and  fearless  officer,  and  the  execution  of  the  laws  will  be  care- 
fully attended  to.  He  enjoys  in  a large  degree  the  esteem  and  con- 
fidence of  the  citizens  of  Christian  county. 


SAMFEL  II  MOSSLER. 

IhiE  subject  of  this  sketch  was  born  in  the  province  of  Pome- 
rania, on  the  coast  of  the  Baltic  Sea,  in  the  kingdom  of  Prussia,  j 
The  date  of  his  birth  was  November  26th,  1845.  He  is  the  third  in  j 
a family  of  five  children  living,  and  received  a liberal  education  iu 
the  schools  of  his  native  land.  His  elder  brother,  Lonis,  came  to  ' 

America  iu  1859.  and  settled  in  Fort  Wayne.  Samuel  followed 
him  in  1863,  and  also  came  to  the  same  place,  whore  he  remained  a 
short  time,  when  he  went  to  Indianapolis  and  stayed  there  two  I 
years.  In  1866  he  came  to  Illinois,  and  stopped  in  Hillsboro,  Mont- 
gomery county,  where  he  remained  until  1870,  when  he  came  to 
Taylorville,  where  he  has  resided  up  to  the  present.  In  all  of  these 
years,  or  since  his  early  youth,  he  has  been  engaged  in  merchandiz- 
ing : it  has  been  the  business  of  his  life.  When  he  came  to  Taylor- 
ville he  purchased  the  interest  of  the  elder  Goldstein.  The  clothing- 
house  of  Goldstein  Bros,  was  established  as  early  as  1866.  The 
partnership  of  Goldstein  & Mossier  continued  until  February,  1877, 
when  it  was  dissolved,  and  Mr.  Mossier  has  continued  the  business  i 


oldest  in  Taylorville,  and  since  its  first  establishment  bears  the 


reputation  of  having  the  largest  stock  of  the  best  selected  goods, 
and  selling  upon  margins  that  has  secured  to  it  a large  patronage, 
which  is  constantly  increasing  as  the  merits  of  the  house  become 
known. 

As  a business  man,  Mr.  Mossier  early  recognized  the  fact  that  to 
establish  a trade  and  enjoy  the  entire  confidence  of  the  community, 
it  was  necessary  to  cater  to  the  wants  of  the  people  and  supply  them 
with  goods  at  such  prices  and  terms  as  were  at  once  reasonable 
and  honorable.  This  is  the  secret  of  his  success. 

Mr.  Mossier  is  a member  of  the  honorable  order  of  Freemasonry, 
and  also  a member  of  the  I.  O.  O.  F.  and  encampment.  At  present 
he  is  District  Instructor  in  Odd  Fellowship.  In  politics  he  gives  his 
support  to  the  democratic  party. 

On  the  second  of  March,  1873,  he  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss 
Eva  Cohen,  of  Chicago. 


JOHN  G.  DRENNAN. 

This  young  and  In-illiant  attorney  was  born  in  Caldwell  county, 
Kentucky,  December  3d,  1854.  His  father,  John  L.  Drennan,was 
of  Irish,  and  his  mother,  Henrietta  (Wimberly),  of  French  and 
German  descent.  Their  earlier  ancestors  came  from  the  old  country 
to  the  Carolinas,  thence  to  Virginia  and  Kentucky.  The  most  of 
them  were  by  occupation  farmers.  The  family  removed  from  Ken- 
tucky to  Illinois  in  the  fall  of  1856,  and  settled  at  Mt.  Auburn,  in 
Christian  county,  near  where  they  now  reside  on  the  old  home- 
farm,  where  the  subject  of  our  sketch  spent  his  earlier  years. 

John  is  the  third  child  and  son  of  a family  of  fourteen  children, 
all  of  whom  are  still  living.  His  education  was  obtained  in  the 
common  schools,  where,  by  his  diligence  and  industry,  he  qualified 
himself  for  teaching  at  the  age  of  seventeen,  which  occupation  he 
followed  during  the  winter  months,  and  continued  to  work  for  his 
father  on  the  farm  during  the  summer  until  of  age. 

On  the  15th  of  March,  1876,  he  entered  the  law  office  of  Hon, 
John  B.  Jones,  of  Taylorville,  and  began  the  study  of  law,  which  he 
pursued  with  energy  and  zeal,  and  was  licensed  to  practice  by  the 
Supreme  Court  of  the  state,  December  3d,  1878.  In  a most 
thorough  written  examination,  our  subject  acquitted  himself  with 
unusual  credit,  receiving  the  highest  grade  in  a class  of  seventeen 
applicants.  On  the  first  day  of  January,  1879,  he  was  appointed 
Master  in  Chancery  of  Christian  county  by  Hon.  H.  M.  Vandeveer, 
one  of  the  Judges  of  the  Fifth  Judicial  Circuit,  which  position  he 
still  fills  with  credit.  About  the  same  time  he  formed  a law  part- 
nership with  his  preceptor,  Mr.  Jones,  which  has,  to  all  appearances^ 
proved  both  agreeable  and  profitable  to  both  parties.  Mr.  Drennan 
is  yet  young  iu  his  profession,  though  his  success  so  far  has  been 
quite  flattering.  He  has  a preference  for  criminal  lawq  in  which,  at 
this  early  period,  he  has  manifested  considerable  tact  and  skill.  He 
is  studious  in  his  habits  and  prompt  in  business  matters. 

Politically  he  is  an  earnest  w'orker  in  the  democratic  party. 

He  is  a man  of  plea.sing  address,  frank  and  open,  though  firm  in 
his  convictions  of  right.  Quick,  logical  and  resolute,  possessing 
excellent  qualities  for  combining  forces.  With  these  united,  together 
with  good  executive  ability,  we  jiredict  for  him  an  honorable  and 
successful  career. 


A.  L.  CLARK  (Deceased), 

Was  born  in  Christian  county,  Kentucky)  May  22, 1827.  He  came 
to  Illinois  about  the  year  1843.  When  he  first  came  to  the  county, 
he  worked  for  Dr.  J.  II.  (dark.  He  afterward  was  deputy  sheriff  and 
constable.  On  the  19th  of  October,  1856,  he  was  united  in  marriage 
to  Miss  Susan  Young,  daughter  of  C-ol  Thos.  S.  Young,  an  old  set- 


140 


HISTORY  OF  CHRISTIAN  COUNTY,  ILLINOIS. 


tier  and  prominent  citizen  of  Christian  county.  By  tins  union, 
there  were  eight  children,  five  of  whom  are  living.  After  Mr. 
Clark’s  marriage  he  continued  deputy  sheriff  for  two  years,  after 
which  he  went  to  farming.  One  year  later  he  moved  to  Texas,  and 
remained  thei’e  for  two  and  a half  years.  The  climate  in  that  state 
not  proving  healthful  to  him,  he  returned  to  Christian  eounty,  and 
purchased  a farm  on  Bear  creek,  and  re-engaged  in  cultivating  the 
soil.  During  his  residence  in  the  township,  he  was  a prominent 
man,  and  took  an  active  part  in  local  affairs,  and  was  elected  asses- 
sor and  collector  for  five  or  six  terras.  In  1878  he  received  the 
nomination  for  the  office  of  sheriff,  and  was  elected  in  the  following 
November.  He  then  moved  to  Taylorville,  and  entered  upon  his 
term  of  office.  In  his  physical  make-up,  Mr.  Clark  was  not  a stout, 
rugged  man,  and  from  this  cause  was  unable  to  do  much  work  upon 
a farm,  but  he  was  possessed  of  an  indomitable  will  and  ambition, 
and  this  sustained  and  kept  him  up.  In  December,  1879,  he  con- 
tracted typhoid  2)neumonia  during  the  sitting  of  the  circuit  court. 
He  was  slowly  recovering  from  the  attack,  when  a complication  of 
diseases  set  in,  and  after  a lingering  and  painful  illness  of  about 
two  months,  he  died  February  1st,  1880.  Even  at  his  death  he 
was  in  full  possession  of  all  his  mental  faculties,  and  gave  unmis- 
takable evidence  of  his  firm  belief  in  a future  life,  and  the  immor- 
tality of  the  soul.  He  was  a man  who  enjoyed  the  entire  confidence 
and  esteem  of  the  people  in  the  community  where  he  lived. 
He  was  a respected  member  of  the  order  of  Odd  Fellows,  and  was 
followed  to  his  grave  by  the  members,  who  paid  the  last  tribute  to 
his  memory  and  worth  as  a man. 


CAPTAIN  S.  McKNIGHT. 

The  subject  of  this  biographical  sketch  was  born  in  Macoupin 
county,  Illinois,  January  6th,  1844.  His  parents  were  natives  of 
Virginia,  and  emigrated  to  Illinois  about  the  year  1830,  settling 
in  Greenfield,  Greene  county.  111.  They  subsequently  re- 
moved to  Scottville,  in  Macoupin  county,  and  in  1859,  to  Girard, 
Macoupin  county.  His  mother  died  in  April,  1864,  at  the  age  of 
sixty-four  years;  his  father  died  in  April,  1868,  at  the  age  of 
seventy-two  years. 

Caj)tain  McKnight  is  the  ybungest  of  a family  of  ten  children, 
nine  of  whom  are  now  living.  He  received  a common  school 
education  in  the  schools  of  his  native  county.  At  the  age  of 
seventeen  years,  he  enttred  a dry -goods  store  in  Girard  as  clerk, 
and  fdlcd  that  position  until  August,  1862,  when  he  enlisted  as  a 
private  in  Company  II.,  One  Hundred  and  Twenty-second  Illinois 
Infantry  licgiment,  Colonel  John  I.  liinaker  commanding.  The 
Regiment  organized  at  Camp  Palmer,  Carlinville,  and  j)rivate 
McKnight  was  elected  First  Sergeant  of  his  Company.  The 
Regiment  was  .soon  after  ordered  to  the  front,  and  remained  in 
active  service  until  the  close  of  the  war.  He  ])articij)ated  in  every 
(•ngagement  of  the  Regiment  during  its  three  years’  active  service. 
On  the  31st  of  December,  1862,  he  was  ])romoted,  and  (iommissioned 
Second  Lieutenant  of  his  Company,  vice  Lieutenant  Bristow,  killed 
in  battle  at  Parker’s  Cross  Roads,  in  Temiessee.  He  .served  a .=ihort 
time  as  aid-de-camj)  on  the  Stall'  of  ('olonel  Mercer,  of  the  Nintli 
Illinois  Infantry,  commanding  a brigade  in  (ieneral  Dodge’s 
1 tivision,  16th  .\rmy  Corps,  but  w:is  relicveil  at  his  own  request, 
and  rejoined  his  regiment  at  Paducah,  Kentucky,  in  the  spring 
of  1864.  Soon  after  his  arrival  at  I’aducah,  he  was  appointed 
Assistant  Inspector  ( ieneral  on  the  Staff  of  Colonel  S.  G.  Hicks, 
commanding  the  Post,  which  position  he  filled  until  after  the 
assault  on  Fort  Ander.son  at  I’adncah,  M.arch  2lth,  by  the 
Confederate  forces,  umler  the  command  of  General  l'’orresl.  At 


this  battle,  after  the  first  repulse  of  the  Confederates,  he  was  sent 
out  by  Colonel  Hicks  with  a flag  of  truce  to  meet  a Confederate 
Staff  officer  coming  in  with  a flag  of  truce,  bearing  a demand  from 
General  Forrest  for  the  unconditional  surrender  of  the  Fort  and 
Federal  forces,  which  demand  was  promptly  refused  by  the  gallant 
old  Colonel,  S.  G.  Hicks,  after  which  the  Confederates  made  two 
jnore  fierce  and  determined,  but  unsuccessful  a.ssaults  on  the  Fort, 
sufl'ering  a loss  of  about  one  thousand  killed  and  wounded. 
Colonel  Hicks,  in  his  official  report  of  this  engagement,  makes 
special  mention  of  the  efficient  and  gallant  services  of  Lieutenant 
McKnight. 

He  was  soon  after  appointed  Provost  Marshal  of  the  city  of 
Paducah,  which  position  he  filled  until  June,  1864,  when  his 
regiment  was  ordered  to  Memphis,  Tennessee,  to  join  the  forces 
under  General  A.  J.  Smith.  He  served  with  his  company  until 
December,  when  at  Nashville,  Tennessee,  he  was  appointed  Aid-de- 
camp  on  the  Staff  of  Brevet  Major  General  Kenner  Garrard, 
commanding  the  Second  Division  of  the  16th  Army  Corps,  and  in 
that  capacity  participated  in  the  battles  of  Nashville,  on  the  15th 
and  16th  of  December,  1864,  when  the  Federal  forces,  under 
General  George  II.  Thomas,  defeated  and  annihilated  Hood’s  army. 
He  remained  on  the  staff  of  General  Garrard  until  the  close  of  the 
war,  and  was  breveted  captain  by  the  President  for  “ gallant  and 
meritorious  conduct  during  the  campaign  against  the  City  of  Mo- 
bile and  its  defences.” 

After  he  was  mustered  out  of  the  service  in  August,  1865,  he  re- 
turned to  Girard,  Macoujtin  county,  and  engaged  in  the  dry-good.s 
business.  On  the  15th  day  of  May,  1866,  he  was  united  in  mar- 
riage with  Miss  Virginia  A.,  eldest  daughter  of  B.  Boggess,  Esq., 
an  old  and  prominent  citizen  of  Girard,  Ills.  Three  children  have 
hallowed  and  blessed  this  union,  two  of  whom  are  living,  Emma 
Pearl  and  Robert  Wade,  aged  respectively  ten  and  six  years.  In 
1870  he  removed  to  Taylorville,  where  he  has  continued  in  the  dry- 
goods  and  carpet  trade  up  to  the  present  time. 

On  the  formation  of  the  Illinois  National  Guards,  under  the  mili- 
tia laws  of  the  state,  he  assisted  in  organizing  a military  company 
in  Taylorville,  know'ii  as  the  Taylorville  Guards,  company  B,  5th 
regiment,  and  was  elected  first  lieutemint,  and  in  August,  1877,  w'as 
elected  and  commissioned  captain,  vice  Vandeveer  promoted,  and 
in  July,  1879,  resigned  to  accept  a commission  as  captain  and  in- 
spector of  rifle  practice,  which  position  he  now'  holds. 

He  is  a republican  in  politics,  and  cast  his  first  Presidential  vote 
for  Gen.  U.  S.  Grant  in  1868,  and  since  that  time  has  adhered  to 
the  fortunes  and  principles  of  that  j)olitical  organization.  Since 
his  residence  here  he  has  been  twice  elected  President  of  the  Board 
of  Trustees  of  Taylorville. 

Captain  IMcKnight,  in  his  intercour.se  with  men,  is  a kind,  genial, 
.sociable  gentleman,  and  an  enterprising,  honorable  business  man, 
and  as  such,  is  esteemed  by  the  entire  community. 


DR.  A.  L.  PERRY. 

The  Perry  family,  on  the  paternal  side,  are  of  Scotch  ancestry. 
They  came  to  America  about  the  year  1798,  and  settled  in  North 
Carolina,  suhsccpicntly  removed  to  Kentucky,  and  at  a later  date, 
to  Tennessee.  John  Perry,  father  of  the  subject  of  this  sketch,  was 
a native  of  North  Carolina.  He  married  Anna  Thompson.  By 
this  union  there  were  ten  children,  seven  of  whom  arc  living.  Dr. 
A.  L.  is  the  youngest  of  the  family.  He  was  born  October  22, 
1853.  He  received  a good  education  in  the  schools  of  his  native 
state.  When  nineteen  years  of  age  he  entered  the  Grove  Academy 
and  received  an  academic  education.  He  then  commenced  the 


Tk«  LIbrarj 
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IMvmity  of  liltMta 


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V > 


HISTORY  OF  CHRISTIAN  COUNTY,  ILLINOIS. 


141 


study  of  medicine,  under  Dr.  Woodard,  of  Springfield,  Robertson 
county,  Tennessee.  After  making  suitable  progress,  he  entered  the 
medical  department  of  the  Vanderbilt  University,  at  Nashville. 

He  remained  there  through  the  term,  and  then  returned  to  Dr. 
Woodard’s  office,  where  he  continued  pursuing  his  studies  until 
September,  1876,  when  he  entered  Bellevue  Hospital  Medical  Col- 
lege, at  New  York,  and  graduated  therefrom  April  1st,  1878,  with 
the  degree  of  M.  D.  He  stayed  there  until  June  of  the  same 
year,  and  took  private  instruction  in  the  wards  of  Bellevue  Hospital 
umler  the  tuition  of  Prof.  E.  G.  Janeway,  a noted  and  promi- 
nent physician  of  New  York  City.  During  the  time  he  was 
attending  the  medical  college  he  was  also  receiving  private  instruc-  | 
tion  from  competent  teachers.  ^ 

In  September,  1878,  he  came  to  Taylorville  and  commenced  the 
practice  of  his  profession,  where  he  remains  to  the  jiresent.  Dr. 
Perry  is  as  yet  upon  the  threshold  of  his  professional  life,  but  the 
prospects  are  bright  for  his  attaining  prominence  in  his  chosen  pro- 
fession. He  early  recognized  that  he  who  Avould  attain  eminence 
in  the  medical  science,  must  be  prepared  to  give  his  best  thoughts, 
individual  time,  and  whole  energy  to  the  work.  Although  he  has 
had  a thorough  training  in  the  best  medical  schools  in  the  country, 
he  realizes  that  he  has  entered  upon  a life-long  study,  and  is  there- 
fore a student  yet.  We  predict  for  him  more  than  passing  success. 
Personally  and  socially.  Dr.  Perry  possesses  rare  qualities,  and  by 
his  upright  and  manly  life,  while  a re.sident  of  Taylorville,  has  won 
an  honorable  name  and  endeared  himself  to  a large  circle  of  friends. 


ORRIN  S.  NASH. 

The  Nash  family  are  natives  of  Massachusetts,  and  are  of  English 
descent.  Robert  S.  Nash,  the  father  of  the  subject  of  this  sketch, 
early  engaged  in  the  cultivation  of  the  soil — a business  in  which  he 
has  continued  for  the  greater  portion  of  his  life.  In  1850  he  came 
west  and  stopped  for  three  years  in  Eon  Du  Lac,  Wisconsin.  In  1859, 
he  removed  his  family  and  settled  in  Buckhart  township,  Cliristian 
county,  Illinois.  He  farmed  in  that  township  until  a few  years 


ago,  and  at  present  resides  in  the  village  of  Sharpsburg,  in  this 
county. 

He  married  Joanah  Packard.  By  this  union  there  were  five 
children — three  boys  and  two  girls.  Both  girls  are  dead  ; one  died 
in  infancy  and  the  other  was  grown  to  womanhood,  and  at  the  time 
of  her  death  was  the  wife  of  J.  C.  Nerberger.  The  names  of  those 
living  are  Orrin  S.,  Robert  and  Edwin  C.  Nash. 

Orriu  S.  is  the  eldest  of  the  family.  He  was  born  in  Franklin, 
Massachusetts,  April  3d,  1848.  He  received  an  excellent  educa- 
tion in  the  schools  of  his  native  state  and  in  Eon  Du  Lac, 
Wisconsin.  After  the  arrival  of  the  family  in  Illinois,  his 
school  days  practically  ended.  At  the  age  of  twenty-t\vo,  he 
commenced  farming  in  Taylorville  town.ship.  Two  yiars  later  he 
took  another  farm  in  section  5 of  the  same  township,  where  he  has 
continued  to  the  present  time. 

On  the  23d  of  November,  1868,  he  was  united  in  marriage  to 
Mrs.  Rachel  S.  INIiner.  Her  maiden  name  was  8hepardson.  She 
was  a native  of  IMassachusetts,  but  was  a resident  of  Brattleboro, 
Vermont,  at  the  time  of  her  marriage.  She  died  June  6th,  1877, 
while  on  a visit  east,  where  she  had  gone  to  be  present  at  the 
“Golden  Wedding”  of  her  parents.  There  were  two  children  born 
to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Nash,  viz : Edwin  H.  and  May  Lillian.  The 
latter  died  in  infancy. 

In  1874,  Mr.  Nash  was  appointed  agent  for  the  Springfield  and 
South-Eastern  railroad,  now  the  Ohio  and  Mississippi  railway,  at 
Sharpsburg,  which  position  he  still  retains.  At  the  same  date,  he 
commenced  trading  and  stock  shipping  and  grain  buying,  and  from 
that  time  to  the  ])resent  he  has  been  the  business  life  of  his  village. 
He  handles  large  quantities  of  grain  and  ships  many  car  loads  of 
live  stock  during  the  course  of  the  year. 

In  politics,  he  is  a republican,  and  cast  his  first  presidential  vote 
for  Abraham  Lincoln,  in  1864.  Mr.  Nash  belongs  to  the  wide- 
awake, enterprising  business  men.  He  is  active  and  energetic, 
quick  to  decide,  and  unchangeable  in  his  decisions  when  once  ma- 
tured. In  all  his  business  transactions  and  relations,  he  is  regarded 
and  known  as  an  entirely  trustworthy,  honest  and  honorable  man. 


TOWNSHIP  AND  CITY  OF  PANA. 


HIS  township  was  originally  called  “ Stone  Coal  Pre- 
cinct,” and  was  a part  of  Shelby  county  uinil  the 
organization  of  Christian,  in  1839,  when  it  was  included 
within  the  bounds  of  the  new  county. 

The  precinet  was  formed  June  5,  1845,  by  the  county  commis- 
sioners’ court,  and  was  bounded  as  follows:  “Beginning  at  the  S. 

E.  corner  of  the  county,  thence  west  nine  miles  to  the  middle  of 
range  one  Avest ; then  north  six  miles ; thence  east  nine  miles  to 
the  place  of  beginning.”  It  included  54  sections,  and  took  in 
“Bell’s  Grove.”  It  derived  its  name  from  a small  stream  coursing 
through  it,  called  Coal  creek.  Along  its  banks,  stone  coal  is  found 
outcropping  in  limited  quantities. 

The  name  was  changed  to  that  of  Pana  Township,  Sept.  2,  1856, 


on  the  petition  of  Mason  French,  and  thirty  other  legal  voters,  pre- 
sented to  the  county  court  by  Milan  S.  Beckwith. 

The  township  is  situated  in  the  ^trenie  south-east  corner  of  the 
county,  and  comprises  the  whole  of  ToAvnship  11  North,  Range  1 
East. 

It  lies  in  latitude  thirty-nine  and  a half  degrees  north,  and  in  al- 
titude two  hundred  feet  above  the  waters  of  the  Illinois  river.  The 
dividing  ridge,  which  causes  the  water  to  flow  either  to  the  Illinois 
or  Kaskaskia  rivers,  lies  between  Pana  and  Taylorville. 

The  waters  of  this  section  of  the  county  gravitate  towards  and 
empty  into  the  Kaskaskia,  a tributary  of  the  Mississippi  river.  Lake 
Fork,  Coal  creek,  and  two  or  three  small  streams  take  their  rise  in 
this  township  and  flow  to  the  Kaskaskia  river. 


142 


HISTORY  OF  CHRISTIAN  COUNTY,  ILLINOIS. 


The  surface  is  a beautiful  prairie ; some  parts,  particularly  the  | 
north-west,  slightly  undulating.  ' 

The  soil  is  a rich,  black  loam,  and  highly  productive.  There 
are  30,720  acres  of  land  in  the  township,  as  organized,  and  almost  | 

every  acre  susceptible  of  cultivation.  It  is  estimated  at  the  present  j 

time  that  from  700,000  to  800,000  bushels  of  grain,  including  corn, 
oats  and  wheat,  are  annually  produced. 

There  are  three  railroads  passing  through  the  township,  all  of 
which  intersect  at  Pana.  The  Illinois  Central  R.  R-  runs  in  a north-  j 
ern  direction ; the  Springfield  division  of  O.  & M.  R.  R.  enters  it 
in  the  north-west  corner  and  crosses  in  a south-east  direction  ; and 
the  I.  & St.  L.  R.  R.  passes  through  the  center  from  east  to  west. 

With  eighteen  or  twenty  miles  of  railroad,  all  connected  with 
important  lines,  and  a soil  rich  and  productive,  Pana  township 
has  the  elements  for  sustaining  a large  population. 

EARLY  SETTLEMENTS. 

The  first  settlers  of  “Stone  Coal  Precinct”  were  as  follows; 
Jared  Malin,  Abram  Milligan  and  Thomas  Bell,  Avho  came  in  1839  ; 
Henry  H.  bond,  Andrew  Hanson,  Levi  Hopson  and  Alfred  Hop- 
son  in  1840;  Benjamin  Girdon  and  John  Abbott,  in  1841  ; Joseph 
Edwards,  James  Edwards  and  AVilliam  Pryce,  in  1846.  Ignatius 
Butler  and  John  Hanson  also  came  at  an  early  date 

The  first  election  was  held  at  the  house  of  Andrew  Hanson,  Aug. 

2,  1845.  Andrew  Hanson,  Thomas  Bell,  and  Abram  Milligan, 
were  chosen  first  judges  of  the  election.  There  were  five  voters  in 
“ Bell’s  Grove,”  residents  of  T.  1 west,  who  were  attached  to  this 
precinct,  making  in  all  nineteen  votes  cast  at  the  first  election. 
Before  the  organization  of  the  precinct,  in  1845,  the  inhabitants 
voted  at  Taylorville. 

I\Ir.  Pryce  acted  as  deputy  tax  collector  in  this  precinct  in  1845, 
and  the  whole  amount  of  tax  that  year  amounted  to  $7.60. 

The  first  marriages  were  Win.  I’ryce  to  Mary  Jane  Edwards, 
Feb.  15,  1844 ; and  Wm.  Buzan  to  Jane  Gordon,  Sept.  1st,  1845, 
by  Rev.  INIilcs  II.  Abbott. 

A notable  event  of  that  early  day  was  the  locating  of  a county 
roai],  from  Taylorville  to  “Stone  Coal  Precinct.”  By  this  move- 
ment fraternal  relations  were  established  between  this  section  and 
tlie  county  seat.  Joseph  Edwards,  Andrew  Hanson,  and  Wm. 
Hammer  were  appointed  Commissioners  at  the  September  term  of 
the  county  court  in  1846.  They  viewed  and  located  the  road  in 
November  of  tlie  .same  year.  It  was  surveyed  by  county  surveyor 
William  A.  Goodrich,  and  Wm.  Pryce  and  Henry  II.  Bond  acted 
as  chairmen.  The  survey  began  near  the  south-east  corner  of  the 
county,  and  was  run  in  a direct  line  to  Taylorville,  only  making 
the  head  of  Locust  creek  timber  a point  in  the  route.  After  its 
establishment,  a furrow  was  run  to  mark  more  definitely  the  sur- 
vey and  to  guide  the  traveler  over  the  wide  uninhabited  prairie. 

“ Stone  Coal  ” po.st-ofiice  was  established  in  1854,  and  Milan  S. 
Beckwitli  was  appointed  tlie  first  post-master.  It  was  lir.st  located 
close  to  the  Central  railroad,  below  Pana,  in  Beckwith’s  store 
shanty,  in  which  was  kcpt>a  small  stock  of  store  goods,  which  was 
8ul)sc<iucntly  moved  to  Pana. 

In  1848,  Henry  H.  Bond,  Jacob  Hanson  and  Ignatius  Butler 
were  elected  its  first  school  trustees.  At  the  first  enumeration  of 
children  under  the  .school  law,  there  were  only  eighteen  ; but  with 
the  advent  of  railroads  in  1854,  the  ])Opulalion  rapidly  increased, 
and  a further  census  of  the  ehihlren  in  185(i  exhibits  the  formation 
of  tlin-e  school  districts,  viz:  No.  1 had  eighteen;  No.  2,  118,  and 
No.  3,  116,  making  a total  of  256.  'I'he  numher  of  districts  have 
since  increu'^cd  to  more  than  double,  and  all  have  neat,  comfortable, 
and  well  I’urnisbr'd  <cbool-bouses. 


At  one  period  in  the  history  of  this  township,  an  effort  was  made 
to  secede  from  Christian,  and  re-attach  itself  to  Shelby  comity.  This 
movement,  however,  was  made  before  the  days  of  railroads,  or  the 
existence  of  Pana ; at  a time  when  miles  of  unsettled  territory 
intervened  between  it  and  the  county-seat;  and  when  indiffer- 
ence  seemed  to  characterize  the  movement  as  to  whether  they  went 
or  stayed,  as  was  manifested  by  the  vote.  But  the  inhabitants 
moved  with  a determined  will  in  order  to  effect  their  purposes.  A 
majority  of  the  legal  voters  petitioned  the  legislature  to  pass  an  en- 
abling act  to  aid  in  the  transfer  of  township  eleven,  one  east,  from 
Christian  to  Shelby  county.  The  act  was  passed  February  15, 1851, 
directing  an  election  to  be  held  in  the  two  counties  on  the  first 
hlonday  of  July,  of  the  same  year,  to  vote  for  or  against  the 
j measure. 


In  Clirislian  County,  for  secession, 17  votes. 

Again.st 225  “ 

In  Shelby  County,  for  receiving  it, 109  “ 

Against, 3 “ 


The  following  are  the  first  land  entries  in  this  township  as  shown 
on  the  county  records:  Jan.  6,  1836,  D.  S.  and  J.  Greenough,  W. 

half  of  N.  W.  quarter,  section  24,  eighty  acres  ; Jan.  23, 1836,  J.  S. 
Hayward  and  C Holmes,  Jr.,  W.  half  of  S.  E.  quarter,  section  34, 
eighty  acres;  Feb.  3,  18.16,  J.  Black  and  J.  B.  Stapp,  lot  1,  S.  W. 
quarter,  section  30,  eighty  acres;  lot  1,  S.  W.  quarter,  section  19, 
eighty  acres,  and  lot  2,  S.  W.  quarter,  section  19,  115  16-100  acres. 

CITY  OF  PANA.* 

The  city  of  Pana  is  situated  near  the  center  of  T.  11  N.  R.  1 E., 
on  sections  15, 16,  21  and  22.  It  is  the  junction  of  the  Indianapolis 
& St.  Louis,  Illinois  Central,  and  Springfield  division  of  the  Ohio 
and  Mississippi  railroads. 

The  history  of  this  city  dates  back  to  the  building  of  the  Illinois 
Central  railroad  through  this  township  in  1853-54.  It  was  sur- 
veyed by  C.  A.  IManners,  for  David  A.  Neal,  at  that  time  president  of 
the  I.  C.  R.  R.  company.  The  ])lat  was  recorded  January  16, 1855. 
Additional  plats  were  made  the  following  year  by  P.  C.  Huggins, 
then  in  the  interest  of  the  Alton  & Terre  Haute  road,  and  also  by 
John  S.  Hayward,  the  owner  of  large  landed  interests  in  the  town- 
ship. 

The  trains  first  began  running  on  the  I.  C.  R.  R.,  IMarch  24th, 
1855,  and  it  was  not  long  after  that  the  A.  & T.  II.  R.  R.  was  com- 
pleted and  in  operation  as  far  as  Pana. 

During  the  construction  of  the  Illinois  Central  railroad  there 
was  a cabin  erected.  There  seems  to  be  a difi’ercnce  of  opinion  as 
to  who  moved  the  next  building  here,  whether  it  was  M.  S.  Beck- 
with or  D.  Kincaid.  Each  of  them  had  shanties  moved  to  this 
point,  and  w'ere  the  first  merchants.  However,  we  arc  inclined  to 
think  that  IM.  S.  Beckwith  was  first  to  move  his  shanty  here,  which 
was  in  1874,  from  Beck’s  creek  or  “iStonc  Coal”  post  office.  Mr. 
Beckwith  kei)t  in  it  a small  stock  of  general  store  goods,  and  was 
also  post-master.  Kincaid  and  French  had  a small  house,  on 
wheels,  which  stood  at  tlie  foot  of  tl)c  knoll  in  front  of  the  freight 
house,  in  which  they  sold  groceries,  whisky,  etc.  They  subse- 
quently erected  a store-house  north  of  the  Walsh-Beekwith  build- 
ing, and  opened  a more  complete  stock  of  good.s.  E.  P.  Sanders 
built  and  opened  a store,  south  of  the  old  Beckwith  house  corner; 
Michael  Walsh,  A.  G.  Neel  and  Huggins  and  Edwards  also  built 
and  opened  stores  in  their  respective  order.  M.  S.  Beckwith  bought 
out  Walsh,  and  in  June,  1856,  iMajor  Little  bought  out  Beckwith; 

*Wv  aro  inili'lili'd  In  K.  Sniilliwii.lt,  and  Jiidgu  J.  11.  Pawdy,  for  data  fiiriiislicd 
iia  for  the  writing  of  tliis  lii.itory. 


II I STORY  OF  CHRISTIAN  COUNTY,  ILLINOIS. 


143 


and  al)out  the  same  time  J.  W.  Dawdy  bought  out  Kincaid  and 
Frencli. 

John  H.  Patton,  Cornelius  H.  Tunison,  and  John  Forehope  were 
the  first  settlers. 

John  Forehope  was  the  first  blacksmith,  and  most  probably 
built  the  first  dwellingdrouse.  It  was  small,  and  constructed  in 
shanty  style,  boarded  up,  and  was  burned  in  the  spring  of  1858. 
This  was  the  first  fire  in  Pana. 

Widow  Patton  erected  the  second  dwelling-house,  and  the  third 
was  a hotel  built  by  W.  H.  Glassgow,  on  the  north  side  of  the  rail- 
road, known  afterwards  as  the  “ Ritter  House.” 

In  1856,  A.  G.  Neel  bought  lumber  in  Decatur,  and  erected  a 
store-house,  between  the  Beckwith  house  and  Major  Little’s  store, 
and  opened  a stock  of  goods  in  it  April  3,  of  the  same  year. 

In  1856-57,  the  town  began  to  increase  rapidly  in  population 
and  wealth,  quite  a number  of  dwellings  and  stores  having  been 
erected  ; and  the  place  began  to  assume  a business-like  appearance. 
On  the  13th  of  June,  1857,  a terrible  and  destructive  tornado  swept 
over  the  southern  part  of  the  county,  and  in  its  course  destroyed 
nearly  one  half  of  Pana,  and  did  serious  damage  to  the  crops 
throughout  the  township. 

There  was  a paper  established  in  1857,  edited  and  published  by 
M.  S.  Beckwdth. 

The  first  steam  mill  was  built  by  Slack  & McCoy,  and  com- 
menced operation  Wednesday,  Feb.  3,  1858. 

J.  C.  Helmick  opened  the  first  banking-house  in  Pana,  in  July, 
1866.  This  was  also  the  first  bank  in  the  county. 

There  w'as  a fruit  canning  establishment  erected  here  in  1872, 
know’ll  as  “ The  Pana  Branch  of  the  Alden  Fruit  I’reserving  Com- 
pany.” It  was  a stock  company  with  $25,000  capital.  The  build- 
ing was  consumed  by  fire  in  July,  1876,  and  the  machinery  after- 
Avardssold  to  parties  at  Springfield  for  $350. 

For  many  years  school  was  kept  in  the  “ Short  House,”  Avhich 
Avas  purchased  by  the  school  district  for  $2000. 

Dr.  Failing  and  W.  S.  Fleming,  directors,  contracted  for  the  cast, 
and  first  school-house,  August  11,  1858. 

There  are  at  present  tw'o  magnificent  and  commodious  three  story 
brick  school  buildings,  surmounted  Avith  cupolas,  which  are  monu- 
ments of  beauty,  and  have  accommodations  for  one  thousand 
scholars.  The  cast  side  house  cost  $30,000,  and  the  west  side  $22,000. 

The  early  settlers  manifested  a decided  interest  in  religious  in- 
struction ; consequently  churches  Avere  organized  and  houses  for 
religious  Avorship  Avere  erected  as  the  number  of  inhabitants  required 
them. 

The  date  of  the  organization  of  the  churches,  and  the  time  Avlieu 
their  houses  for  Avorship  Avere  dedicated,  is  as  folloAvs : 

The  Presbyterian  church  Avas  organized  in  1856,  and  their  house 
for  religious  Avorship  aa’us  dedicated  in  1860. 

The  Methodist  church  Avas  organized  in  1855,  and  their  house  for 
religious  Avorship  Avas  dedicated  in  1867- 

The  Catholic  church  Avas  organized  in  1854,  and  their  house  for 
religious  Avorship  Avas  dedicated  in  1863. 

The  German  Evangelical  church  Avas  organized  in  1866,  and 
their  house  for  religious  Avorship  Avas  dedicated  in  1867. 

The  Baptist  church  Avas  organized  in  1858,  and  their  house  for 
religious  AA'orship  Avas  dedicated  in  1867. 

The  United  Presbyterian  church  Avas  organized  in  1866,  and 
their  house  for  religious  Avorship  Avas  dedicated  in  1871. 

The  Southern  Methodist  church  Avas  organized  in  1870,  and  their 
house  for  religious  Avorship  Avas  dedicated  in  1872. 

The  Christian  church  Avas  organized  in  1857  and  re-organized  in 
1875.  They  hav’e  no  house  for  religious  Avorship. 


The  city  of  Pana  has  been  under  three  different  corporations,  viz : 
first  under  the  general  laAv  as  a A’illage,  chartered  in  the  Avinter  of 
1856-57;  under  a special  charter  in  1867,  and  again  under  the 
general  city  and  village  laAV  in  May,  1877. 
j The  first  election  Avas  held  on  the  10th  day  of  March,  1857,  for 
toAvn  officers,  and  resulted  in  the  election  of  A.  Monroe,  President ; 
James  Martin,  W.  H.  GlassgoAv,  L.  F.  Shepherd  and  W.  B.  Little, 
as  Trustees. 

I The  first  officers  under  special  charter,  elected  March  8,  1867, 
were:  Wm.  J.  Jordan,  Mayor;  Wm.  T.  Dobbs,  City  Judge  ; Amos 
A.  Rhodes,  City  Clerk  ; J.  W.  Kitchell,  City  Attorney  ; F.  M. 
Malone,  City  Marshal.  Aldermen  in  first  Avard — E.  A.  Humphrey, 
W.  W.  Watkin  ; second  Avard — W.  A.  NcAvcomb,  John  De  Lane. 

The  present  city  officers  are : — F.  W.  Stockbridge,  Mayor ; S.  C. 
Wagener,  David  Overholt,  E.  Bassett,  Wm.  Elgin,  James  Corcoran 
[ and  John  Robb,  Aldermen  ; Wm.  Kelleger,  City  Attorney;  J.  II. 
DaAvdy,  Police  Magistrate;  E.  DaAus,  Clerk;  O.  Gossraan, 
Treasurer;  S.  V.  Roseberry,  City  Marshal;  HoAvard  Randsall, 

! Street  Commissioner. 

The  city  hall  Avas  erected  in  1870.  It  is  a neat  and  substantial 
brick  building,  three  stories  high.  There  is  a court-room,  and  offices 
for  the  city  officers,  and  the  business  of  the  city  is  transacted  here. 

Little  more  than  tAventy-six  years  have  passed  since  the  deer  and 
I prairie  Avolf  held  SAvay,  and  noAV  there  is  a busy  population  of  about 
four  thousand,  possessing  the  aspect  of  a thriving  and  pro.sperous 
community.  Its  long  blocks  of  stores  ; neat  and  substantial  churches ; 
mills  and  manufacturing  establishments;  its  mammoth  St.  James’, 

I and  other  hotels,  together  Avith  many  beautiful  private  residences,  and 
j public  schools — all  are  truly  Avonderful  and  appear  more  the  Avork 
I of  magic  than  reality,  and  furnish  striking  proof  of  the  marvellous 
groAvth  of  this  portion  of  the  county, 
i The  representatives  to  the  state  legislature  from  Pana  Avere  : Dr. 

, James  Finley,  J.  C.  Hagler  and  Levi  Scott. 

The  po  t-masters  since  the  establishment  of  the  post-office  at  Pana 
haA’e  been,  IM.  S.  BeckAvith,  A.  G.  Neel,  O M.  BaldAvin,  J.  W. 
White,  M.  Bird,  A.  C.  VandeAvater  and  E C Reese. 

LODGES. 

The  folloAving  are  the  secret  societies  in  Pana: 

Pana  Lodge,  No.  226,  A.  F.  & A.  M.,  AA’as  organized  in  1856,  and 
chartered  October  7,  1856.  The  charter  members  numbered  seven. 

: The  first  officers  Avere — J.  Guilford,  W.  M. ; T.  Short,  S.  W.;  H. 

Hobson,  J.  W.  The  present  officers  are — S.  V.  Coulter,  W.  ]\I.  ; 
Chas.  Wall,  S.  W. ; Chas.  Simmons,  J W.  The  Lodge  is  in  a 
; flourishing  condition  This  is  all  the  information  the  secretary 
could  give  us. 

Pana  Chapter,  No.  115,  R.  A.  M.,  Avas  granted  under  dispensa- 
tion in  the  fall  of  1867,  and  chartered  October  9,  1868.  Number 
' of  charter  members  Avere  nineteen.  The  first  officers  Avere — O.  H. 
Paddock,  H.  P. ; L.  Johnson,  King;  W.  W.  Watkins,  Scribe. 
Present  officers  are — O II.  Paddock,  H.  P.  ; S.  C.  Wagener,  King  ; 
I Samuel  Crabtree,  Scribe. 

I The  Adar  Lodge,  No.  334,  I.  O.  O.  F.,  Avas  chartered  October  9, 
1868.  The  number  of  charter  members  Avere  six.  The  first  officers 
I Avere — N.  B.  Jacoby,  P.  G.  Depxdg ; J.  W.  Stark,  N.  G. ; W.  T. 

1 Dobbs,  V.  G.  ; J.  F.  Harner,  Secretary  ; J C.  Helmick,  Treasurer. 
The  present  officers  are — Wm.  Wansbrough,  P.  G.  Deputy;  C. 
AVall,  N.  G. ; S.  T.  Bradley,  V.  G. ; AVm.  Wansbrough,  Rcc’d 
Secretary;  J.  L.  Robb,  Per.  Secretary  ; L.  Adams,  Treasurer.  The 
lodge  is  in  a flourishing  condition. 

Halle  of  Arminta  Lodge,  No.  610,  I.  O.  O.  F.,  Avas  chartered 
March  10,  1876.  There  Averc  ten  charter  members.  The  folloAving 


144 


HISTORY  OF  CHRISTIAN  COUNTY,  ILLINOIS. 


were  the  first  officers : — W.  Stuhlmann,  P.  G.  Deputy  ; O.  Gossmanii, 
N.  G.  ; C.  C.  Schwartz,  V.  G ; R.  A.  Prauke,  Secretary;  L. 
Schlierbach,  Treasurer.  The  present  officers  are  as  follows; — F.  A. 
Gossmann,  P.  G.  Deputy;  John  Schllet,  V.  G. ; R.  Walti,  Secre- 
tary ; F.  Henge,  Treasurer.  The  lodge  contracts  all  business  in  the 
German  language,  and  is  in  good  standing. 

Pana  Lodge,  No.  43,  Ancient  Order  United  Workmen,  was 
chartered  February  28,  1877.  There  were  thirty-eight  charter 
members.  The  first  officers  were: — P.  M.  Nichols,  P.  M.  AV. ; O. 

H.  Paddock,  M.  AV. ; R.  M.  Henderson,  G.  F. ; AV.  E.  Scott,  O. ; 
F.  O.  Paddock,  Rec’d  ; E.  C.  Reese,  F. ; R.  C.  Coyner,  Rec’v. ; Ed. 
F.  Yamelle,  G;  L.  S.  Ham,  I.  AV. ; Frank  Forbes,  O.  AV.  Present 
officers  are: — D.  AV.  Barris,  P.  M.  AV. ; P.  M.  Nichols,  M.  AV. ; E. 
AA'agener,  G.  F. ; E.  AA^^eddle,  O ; Frank  Forbes,  Rec’d  ; R.  C.  Coy- 
ner, Rec’v. ; E.  S.  Davis,  F. ; Thomas  Upchurch,  G. ; Chas.  Cutter, 

I.  AAk  ; Phillip  Jageman,  O.  AV. 

Below  is  a list  of  the  present  busiress  houses  and  manufacturing 
institutions. 

BANKS. 

The  banking-house  of  H N.  Schuyler  was  established  in  Janu- 
ary, 187G.  It  is  considered  a very  safe  and  reliable  institution. 

A bank  was  established  by  AV.  E Hayward,  July  1,  1867.  He 
discontinued  banking  in  November,  1878,  and  has  since  been  en- 
gaged in  the  Real  Estate  and  Broker  business. 

O 

MILLS  AND  ELEVATORS. 

The  Central  Mills  and  Elevator,  owned  and  operated  by  Over- 
liolt  Bros.,  has  a run  of  three  burrs,  with  a capacity  of  60  bbs.  per 
day  (12  hours).  The  elevator  in  connection  is  constructed  for 
handling  all  kinds  of  grain,  with  a cai)acity  of  25,000  bushels  of 
corn,  and  40,000  bushels  of  wheat.  The  mill  is  a three  and  one-half 
story  frame  building,  and  was  erected  by  Eli  Jacobs  in  1863.  The 
elevator  was  erected  by  Overholt  Bros,  in  1868. 

TANA  CITY  MILLS. 

AA'as  erected  by  Messrs.  Aliller,  George  & Minnis,  in  1876.  It  is 
a brick  building,  three  and  one  half  stories  high.  There  is  a run 
of  four  burrs,  with  a capacity  of  60  bbs.  per  day  (12  hours),  and  is 
operated  by  A.  Aliller  & Co. 

ELEVATORS. 

The  elevator  erected  by  Joel  Beckwith,  in  1870,  is  now  owned 
and  oj)erateil  by  S.  M.  Haywood.  It  is  constructed  for  handling 
all  kinds  of  grain,  and  has  a capacity  of  10,000  bushels. 

In  1874,  Jacob  Kremer,  built  an  elevator  for  handling  all  kinds 
of  grain,  with  a capacity  of  20,000  bushels.  It  is  now  owned  and 
operated  by  Tilton  Hemsley  & Co. 

THE  DOOR,  SASH  FACTORY  AND  FLANING  MILL. 

AA’'a.s  erected  in  1866,  by  AA’^ood  & Eaton.  It  is  at  present  run 
by  Dutton  AA'^ood. 

There  are  also  two  Planing  Mills  ; one  is  run  by  A.  Parker,  the 
other  by  I).  T.  Davis. 

THE  OHIO  AND  .MI.SSLSSIIMT  RAII.ROAD  CO.MI’ANy’s  SHOPS, 
(SPRINGITELD  DIVISION'). 

These  shops  were  erected  by  the  Spritigfield,  Illinois  and  South- 
Eastern  Railroad  Company,  in  1873.  'flic  ().  A M.  Coni[)any  took 
po.s.sc.ssion  in  1876.  They  do  all  kinds  of  general  repairing  and  rc- 
buihling.  There  are  about  one  hundred  and  fifty  men  employed, 
under  the  supervision  of  E.  K.  Hechler,  d/’n’s/o/i  mauler  mechanic,  and 
S.  X.  Coulter,  divixion  niaxler  car  hnlldcr. 

HOTELS. 

The  St.  .lamci  Ilolel,  was  erected  by  .John  S.  Hayward,  in  1867, 
and  was  first  opened  by  I).  'rurnl)olt,  as  the  “ Turnliolt  House.” 


The  name  was  subsequently  changed  to  St.  James’  Hotel,  and  is  now 
kept  by  Col.  J.  A.  Hayward,  the  present  owner  of  the  property. 
The  house  is  built  of  brick,  three  stories  high,  with  marble 
flooi's,  and  has  eighty  rooms,  with  accommodations  fur  more  than 
160  guests.  It  has  ladies  and  gentlemen’s  separate  bath-rooms,  par- 
lors, reading  and  smoking-rooms,  saloon  anil  billiard-hall,  and  all 
the  modern  improvements,  and  a most  complete  kitchen.  The  house 
is  nicely  furnished,  and  lighted  throughout  with  gas.  An  elegant 
view  of  this  hotel  may  be  seen  on  another  page. 

The  Harrison  House,  IMrs.  Matilda  Harrison,  proprietor. 

Central  Hotel,  James  Dalton,  proprietor. 

Kentuchj  Home,  J.  C.  Stout,  proprietor. 

Hall  House,  G.  Evans  proprietor. 

Hayward’s  opera  house. 

Few  jilaces  the  size  of  Pana  can  boast  of  so  fine  a little  theatre  as 
the  one  above-mentioned.  It  has  a seating  capacity  of  813.  The 
stage  is  24x30  feet,  furnished  with  a full  set  of  scenery  by  Noxon, 
of  the  Olympic  Theatre,  St.  Louis.  The  house  is  lighted  with  gas, 
and  heated  by  two  wood  furnaces.  See  interior  view  on  another  page. 

physicians. 

The  leading  Physicians  in  Pana  are  : — Geo.  AV.  Patton,  Jacob 
Huber,  .1.  H.  Dodge,  H.  H.  Deming,  Salem  Dickey,  A.  E.  Eversole, 
L D.  Higgins,  H.  H.  Hall.  T.  H.  McCoy,  dentist. 

There  are  three  weekly  newspapers  jiublished  in  Pana,  viz : — 
Gazette,  Palladium  and  Argus. 

BUSINESS  HOUSES. 

Dry  Goods,  Clothing,  Boots  and  Shoes. — S.  C.  AA^agener,  George 
V.  Panwell,  Beckeuhimer,  Goldstine  & Co.,  J.  R.  Race  & Co. 

Grocery. — James  Babcock,  Jacob  Born,  Jewell  & Moseley, 
Jageman  & McElroy,  AV.  L Dowling,  J.  B.  Shaffer,  M.  J.  Jones, 
Newcomb  Bros,  J.  C.  Ellis,  Casey  & Cox,  AVm.  Howard,  and 
Griffith  Evans. 

Hardware,  Stoves  and  Tinware. — Lewis  Jehle,  AVm.  Stuhlman, 
A.  B.  Corman,  H.  Buell. 

Furniture. — Hess  & Bros.,  A.  B.  Corman. 

Clothing  and  Gents’  Furnishing  Goods. — Isaac  Kempner. 

Drugs.  — B C.  Coyner,  P.  M.  Nichols,  O.  Go.ssman  & Bro.,L.  D, 
Higgins. 

Jewelry. — August  Reher,  A.  J.  Keeney. 

Books  and  Stationery. — J.  M.  Aker. 

Confectionery,  Bakery  and  Restaurants. — Jacob  Alhime,  Lewis 
Paul,  James  IMcthven. 

Boots  and  Shoes. — Merrill  A Neely,  AVm.  Conklin  A Co. 

Harness, — Lewis  Schlierbach,  J.  C.  AVoodside. 

Leather. — N.  Kclliger. 

Cigars. — P.  L.  Veiling,  A.  Smith,  R.  N.  Forbes,  John  Lem- 
berger. 

I'hotngraph  Gallery. — J.  A’^.  Hover. 

Agricultural  Imjdements — O.  II.  Paddock,  Cox  A Swim,  F.  AV. 
Stockbridge. 

Jjtnd  Agents. — R.  C.  Couch,  J.  II.  Dawdy,  G.  I.  Ladd. 

Jjoan  and  Insurance  Agents. — 0.  AI.  Baldwin,  R.  M.  Henderson, 
James  II.  A’arnell. 

Sewing  Machine  Agents. — Frank  Schnitzer,  N.  D.  Lamareaux. 

Undertakers. — J.  10.  Neely,  II.  Kirkpatrick. 

Merchant  Tailors.  — ,1 . 4'.  Albright,  H.  Praft,  J.  Freich. 

Millinery  and  Dress-n\aking. — Mrs.  S.  P.  Alooncy,  Misses  B A 
E Alillard,  Mrs.  George  Bclnap. 

Hay  Dealers. — 1).  E.  McGarrah,  I).  M.  Keys. 

Wholesale  (1  unjmnder  Dealers. — E.  C.  Ri'c.si'  A Bro. 


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HAY\A/fi<RDs  QP£RA  House: 


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jt-r  COL  JA  HA  YWA RD,  of Pana,  Chris  tia  n Co.  /ll 


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HISTORY  OF  CHRISTIAN  COUNTY,  ILLINOIS. 


145 


Ice  Dealer. — Jolin  Shatter. 

Coal  Dealers. — Reese  Bros.,  O.  H.  Paddock,  Cox  & Swim. 
Marble  Yards. — T.  H.  Scott,  Smith  & Walker. 

Lumber  Yards. — K.  Jolins,  Dutton  Wood. 

Wagon  and  Carriage  Factory. — J & W.  Corcoran,  P.  Molz,  M. 
Siler. 

Machine  Shop  and  Wagon  Factory. — Hawker  & Combest. 
3fachme  Shop. — John  Reed  & Son. 

Foundry  and  Machine  Shop. — John  Emery. 

Tile  Factories. — Jasper  Randolph,  T.  J.  Bernard,  Vidler  & 
Houston. 

Saw  Mill.  — Robert  Johns. 

Pop  Manufactory. — F.  Webber  & Bro- 
Livery  Stables. — T.  P.  Clark,  Henry  Barkshire. 

Shoe  Shops. — Richard  Miller,  J.  I.  Mellon,  Frank  Schnitzer, 
Wm.  Vickcrage. 

Carpenter  Shops. — Chas.  Lyman,  John  Neely,  T.  Raymond. 
Cooper  Shops. — Mrs.  John  Sanbach,  John  Gartland,  J.  Horn. 
Blaclcsmiih  Shops. — Schwartz  & Maise,  John  Schafer,  V.  Steller, 
Peter  Troutman. 

Barber  Shops. — Patrick  Smith,  E.  Wagner. 

Butcher  Shops. — B.  Hegle,  Sanders  & Runkle,  W.  F.  Fisher. 
Saloons. — Cody  & Galvin,  Fleming  & Morefield,  L.  Pane,  W.  R. 
Abrell,  R Prankey,  Kuhn  & Emery. 

We  subjoin  a list  of  Township  Officers. 

Supervisors — Wm.  B.  Little,  elected  1866;  J.  H.  Hawker, 


1867  ; Joel  Beckwith, 1868,  re-elected  1869-70  ; A.  C.  Vandewater, 
1871  ; W.  B.  Little,  1872  ; Mr.  Lawrence,  1873  ; G.  J.  Ladd,  1875, 
and  by  re-election  held  the  office  till  1879;  Wm.  J.  Jordan,  1879; 
E.  S.  Davis,  1880. 

As.sessors. — J.  P.  Walker,  1876;  S.  S.  Vrooman,  1877,  re-elected 
1878;  J.  D.  White,  1879,  re-elected  1880. 

Collectors. — Wm.  J.  Jordan,  elected  1866;  Andrew  Brishew,  1867; 
G.  J.  Ladd,  1868  ; A.  G-  Neel,  1869  ; W.  H.  Topping,  1870;  J.  V. 
Ro.seberry,  1871,  re-elected  1872;  I.  Thomas  Mull,  1873;  S.  V. 
Rosenberry,  1874,  re-elected  1875;  W.  Tribbett,  1876;  C.  A. 
Overholt,  1877,  re-elected  1878;  Wm.  Tribbett,  1879,  re-elected 
1880. 

Town  Clerks. — F.  O.  Paddock,  1876  ; A.  W.  Parker,  1877 ; E. 
S.  Davis,  1878,  re-elected  1879;  Charles  Nadenbush,  1880. 

Justices  of  the  Peace. — Albert  G.  Neel  and  John  H.  Dawdy, 
elected  in  1866;  H.  J.  Atkins  and  G.  I.  Ladd,  1869  ; A.  G.  Neel 
and  John  H.  Dawdy,  re-elected  in  1870;  Joseph  N.  Patton,  J.  E. 
South  wick,  Isaac  F.  Colby  and  A.  G-  Neel,  1876  ; J.  E.  Soutliwick, 
J.  N.  Patton  and  A.  G Neel,  re-elected  1877  ; J.  D.  White, 

Commissioners  of  Highways. — W.  A.  Webber,  1876  ; T.  J.  Lester, 
1877  ; Daniel  Iveys,  1878;  Fletcher  Anderson,  1879 ; J.  H.  Smith, 
1880. 

Constables. — W.  J.  Jordan,  G.  W.  McKee  and  John  P.  William- 
son, elected  in  1873;  G.  F.  Buckles,  1874;  J.  H Pratt,  1876;  B. 
C.  Cochran,  J.  P.  Chapman,  W.  J.  Jordan  and  Henry  Jehle,  1877 ; 
J.  H.  Pratt,  1879 ; H.  Harvey,  1880. 


BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES. 


JOHN  E.  NEELY. 

Among  the  many  men  who  have  contributed  to  the  building  up 
of  the  city  of  Pana,  stands  the  name  of  the  subject  of  this  sketch. 
He  is  a native  of  Chester  county,  Pennsylvania,  and  was  born 
March  19th,  1828.  The  Neely  family,  on  the  paternal  side,  are  of 
Scotch  and  German  ancestry,  and  on  the  maternal  side  Welsh. 
William  Neely,  the  father,  was  a farmer,  and  lived  and  died  in 
Chester  county,  Penna.  His  death  occurred  in  February,  1878. 
The  mother  died  in  1852.  There  were  eight  children  in  the  family, 
seven  of  whom  have  survived  the  parents.  John  E.  is  the  eldest  of 
the  family.  He  received  a good  education  in  the  common  schools 
of  his  state.  At  the  age  of  eighteen  he  commenced  his  ajjprentice- 
sliip  to  the  carpenter  trade,  and  worked  at  the  business  during  his 
sojourn  in  his  native  county. 

On  the  1st  of  September,  1856,  he  was  united  in  marriage  to 
Miss  Mary  A.  Millard,  a native  of  the  same  county  and  state.  In 
the  spring  of  1858,  he  came  west  and  settled  in  Pana.  At  that 
time  the  town  had  been  laid  out  but  a few  years,  and  it  was 
yet  in  its  infancy.  Since  Mr.  Neely  has  been  there  he  has  seen  it 
grow  from  a small  railroad  station  to  a city  of  four  thousand  inhabi- 
tants. From  the  low,  irregular  wooden  buildings  that  then  gave 
the  town  the  appearance  of  a frontier  village,  it  has  passed  to  a 


city  with  regular  streets,  flanked  on  each  side  with  large  and  com- 
modious brick  business  houses,  and  dotted  over  with  elegant  and 
costly  private  residences.  He  has  perhaps  constructed  a greater 
number  of  houses,  and  contributed  more  to  this  new  api^earance 
of  things,  than  any  other  man  in  Pana. 

In  1860,  he  added  the  undertaking  business  to  that  of  carpenter 
and  builder,  and  while  he  contributed  much  by  his  work  to  the 
comfort  of  the  living,  he  has  also  prepared  and  laid  away  many  of 
Pana’s  citizens  in  the  silent  city  of  the  dead. 

In  politics  he  was  formerly  an  old  line  whig,  and  as  such  he  cast 
his  first  presidential  vote  for  Gen.  Winfield  Scott  in  1852.  After 
the  abandonment  of  the  whig  party,  and  the  formation  of  the  re- 
publican, he  joined  that  organization,  and  is  still  an  admirer  of  its 
principles. 

His  marriage  has  been  blessed  with  five  children,  three  of  whom 
are  living.  Their  names  are  Ida  M.,  William  B.,  and  Anna  E. 
Neely  ; Ella  died  at  the  age  of  fourteen  years,  and  William  How- 
ard died  in  infancy. 

His  estimable  wife  is  a member  of  the  M.  E.  Church.  Mr. 
Neely  is  much  respected,  and  the  circle  of  his  friends  are  as  wide 
as  his  acquaintance. 


146 


HISTORY  OF  CHRISTIAN  COUNTY,  ILLINOIS. 


The  subject  of  the  following  biographical  sketch  was  born  in 
Wayne  county,  Ohio,  August  1st,  1840.  His  parents,  John  and 
Sarah  McQuigg,  are  natives  of  county  Antrim,  Ireland.  They 
came  to  America  in  1838,  and  settled  in  Wayne  county,  Ohio, 
where  they  still  reside.  There  are  nine  children  in  the  family,  all 
of  whom  are  living  and  have  reached  maturity.  James  C.  is  the 
third  son  and  sixth  in  the  family.  He  was  raised  upon  his  father’s 
farm.  His  educational  advantages  in  youth  were  superior  to  many 
others  reared  under  similar  circumstances.  He  attended  a school 
in  his  neighborhood  known  as  the  “ People’s  College,”  which,  while 
organized  and  supported  under  the  Free  School  system  of  the  State, 
in  its  scholarship  was  advanced  to  as  high  a standard  as  that 
of  academies.  This  was  owing  to  the  liberality  and  advanced  ideas 
of  some  of  the  leading  citizens  of  that  ])articular  locality,  who  con- 
tributed from  their  private  funds  to  suj)port  tlie  .school.  At  that 
school  Mr.  McQuigg  made  rapid  advancement,  and  became  profi- 
cient in  the  higher  branches  of  mathematics,  and  also  made  con- 
siderable j)rogre,ss  in  Latin  and  other  languages.  In  his  nineteenth 
year  he  entered  the  Fredericksburg  Academy,  in  Wayne  county, 
where  he  remained  until  the  breaking  out  of  the  war.  The  first 
call  for  troo])S  to  jjut  down  the  rebellion  was  made  and  young  i\Ic- 
(^uigg  was  among  the  first  to  respond  to  the  call.  He  entered  as  a 
private  under  the  three  months  call,  in  the  4th  Ohio  Kegt.  Co.  A, 
Col.  Gibbon  cornmatiding.  The  n'giment  was  ordered  to  West  Vir- 
ginia. 'I'hcy  returned  home,  however,  a short  time  before  their 
time  expired.  On  the  16th  of  Augu.st,  1861,  he  enlisted  as  a pri- 
vatf;  for  three  years  in  Co.  G,  Kith  Kegt.  Ohio  Vols.  He  remained 
with  his  regiment  and  j)articipated  in  (;very  battle  in  which  it  was 
engaged,  till  May,  186-3,  when  he  was  wounded  in  one  of  the  as- 
saults on  the  works  before  Vicksburg.  'Ihe  wound  disabled  him 
for  further  military  duty,  and  he  was  honorably  discharged  from 
the  service.  He  returned  to  his  home  in  Ohio,  and  during  the  same 


year  entered  the  Vermillion  College,  at  Hayesville,  Ohio,  where  he 
remained  until  the  fall  of  1865,  He  entered  for  the  classical 
course,  except  Greek,  substituting  therefore  the  study  of  German. 
His  failure  to  study  Greek  prevented  his  graduation.  He  then 
went  to  Ann  Arbor,  Michigan,  and  entered  the  law  department  of 
the  Michigan  University,  and  graduated  therefrom  in  the  spring  of 
1867,  with  the  degree  of  Bachelor  of  Laws.  He  returned  home, 
and  on  the  8th  of  May,  1867,  in  the  District  Court  of  Columbus, 
he  was  admitted  to  the  bar.  He  then  came  west  to  Illinois  and 
located  in  Pana,  where  he  formed  a law  partnership  with  A.  C,  Mc- 
Millan, which  continued  for  six  months,  after  which  he  resumed 
the  practice  alone  up  to  the  present.  As  a lawyer  Mr.  McQuigg 
has  been  very  successful  in  the  practice,  and  ranks  high  among  the 
best  in  Christian  county.  On  the  8th  of  June,  1869,  he  was  united  in 
marriage  to  INIiss  Marian  Patton,  daughter  of  Wm.  R.  Patton.  Her 
parentage  isScotch-Irish.  She  was  born  in  Pittsburgh,  Penns\dvania, 
but  has  been  a resident  of  Illinois  since  1851.  This  union  has  been 
bles.scd  by  two  children,  a boy  and  girl,  named  Myron  W.,  and 
Florence  Met^uigg,  aged  respectively  ten  and  four  years. 

]\Ir.  ^Ict^uigg  is  an  active  member  of  the  republican  party, 
although  not  a partisan,  only  so  far  as  to  exercise  the  right  of  suf- 
frage, and  in  keeping  prominent  the  principles  of  that  political  or- 
ganization. In  all  local  or  county  elections  he  takes  an  active  part. 
In  1876  he  was  the  candidate  on  the  republican  ticket  for  the  office 
of  State’s  Attorney,  and  although  his  party  was  in  a hopeless  mino- 
rity in  the  county,  yet  so  vigorous  was  his  campaign,  and  such  was 
his  popularity,  that  he  was  defeated  by  only  eighty-three  votes, 
while  Ihe  balance  of  the  republican  ticket  was  beaten  seven  hun- 
dred and  eighty-six  votes.  'Phis  fact  tcstilics  in  the  strongest  man- 
ner po.ssihlc  his  standing  as  a man  and  lawyer  in  the  county.  In 
his  manners  he  is  a pleasant  and  agreeable  gentleman.  His  cha- 
racter as  a citizen  is  above  reproach. 


Tk*  Lknfy 

»f  the 


HISTORY  OF  CHRISTIAN  COUNTY,  ILLINOIS. 


147 


The  Hayward  family  on  the  paternal  side  is  a very  old  one  in 
the  history  of  Massachusetts.  They  are  the  descendants  of  the 
Pilgrim  fathers  who  fled  from  religious  persecution  in  the  old 
world  to  make  their  home  in  the  new',  where  they  could  hold  com- 
munion and  worship  their  God  according  to  the  dictates  of  their 
own  conscience.  They  landed  in  Massachusetts  in  the  year  1838. 
John  S.  Hayward,  the  father,  was  born  in  Plymouth.  In  his 
younger  years  he  was  an  accountant  in  one  of  the  large  business 
houses  of  Boston,  where  he  gained  the  entire  confidence  of  his  em- 
ployers, which,  in  after  years,  was  of  an  incalculable  advantage 
to  him  in  a financial  point  of  view,  as  it  enabled  him  to  purchase, 
upon  long  time,  large  stocks  of  goods  of  more  than  treble  the  value 
of  all  his,  then,  limited  wealth.  This  confidence  thus  reposed  in 
him  was  never  violated,  and  it  assisted  him  in  laying  the  founda- 
tion of  his  future  wealth.  In  1832  he  came  west,  on  a tour  of  ob- 
servation. He  returned  east,  and  in  1834  removed  his  family  west, 
and  settled  in  Hillsboro,  Montgomery  county,  w'here  he  remained 
until  his  death,  in  May,  1869.  He  engaged  in  a merchandizing 
business  until  1852,  when  he  sold  out  and  gave  his  exclusive  atten- 
tion to  real  estate  transactions,  in  which  he  had,  prior  to  that  time, 
been  heavily  engaged.  In  order  to  give  the  reader  a projier  idea  of 
the  extent  of  his  real  estate  transactions,  it  is  only  necessary  to 
mention  that  he  was  the  owner  at  one  time  of  85,000  acres,  and  was 
perhaps  at  the  time  the  largest  landed  proprietor  in  America. 

In  1840  he  married  Harriet  P.  Comstock.  She  was  a native  of 
Hartford,  Connecticut.  She  died  in  1874.  There  were  seven 


children  by  this  marriage,  two  of  whom  have  survived  the  parents, 
William  E.,  and  John  A.,  the  subject  of  this  sketch.  The  former 
a prominent  business  man  and  capitalist  of  Pana. 

Col.  J.  A.  Hayward  was  born  in  Hillsboro,  Montgomery  county, 
Illinois,  October  12th,  1848.  In  his  youth  he  was  an  invalid,  and 
therefore  lost  the  opportunity  of  receiving  such  an  education  as  his 
circumstances  in  life  would  permit.  His  entire  schooling  was  re- 
ceived in  Hillsboro  Academy,  and  ended  with  his  seventeenth 
year.  This  defect  in  his  early  training,  and  lost  opportunities  in 
youth  has  been,  to  a certain  extent,  remedied  in  his  maturer  years 
by  his  habits  of  close  observation,  love  of  reading,  and  retentive 
memory.  His  mental  endowments  are  naturally  of  a bright  and 
high  order,  and  his  quick  mind  receives  impressions  with  an  apti- 
tude and  retentiveness  that  belongs  to  the  higher  grade  of  intellect. 
Although  not  enjoying  the  usual  facilities  for  acquiring  an  education, 
his  knowledge  of  men  and  things,  and  information  of  events,  past 
and  present,  is  superior  to  many  who  make  far  greater  pretensions. 

In  1867  he  removed  to  Pana  and  engaged  in  the  hardware  trade, 
at  which  he  continued  with  success  until  1870,  when  he  entered  the 
brokerage  business,  and  soon  after  engaged  in  pi-ivate  banking  in 
connection  with  Henry  N.  Schuyler,  Esq.  The  partnership  con- 
tinued until  1875,  when  he  retired  from  the  bank  in  order  to  give 
his  attention  to  his  farms  and  other  business  which  had  become 
large,  and  required  careful  personal  supervision.  He  also  took 
charge  of  the  St.  James’  Hotel,  a valuable  business  property  belong- 
ing to  him.  We  may  add  that  under  Col.  Hayward’s  judicious 


148 


HISTORY  OF  CHRISTIAN  COUNTY,  ILLINOIS. 


and  vigorous  management  the  “St.  James”  has  gained  an  enviable 
reputation  as  a first-class  hotel.  An  exterior  and  interior  view  of 
this  splendid  hostelry  can  be  seen  on  another  jiage  of  this  work. 
Perhaps,  however,  that  which  has  given  Col.  Hayward’s  name  the 
widest  notoriety  is  his  connection  with  the  show  business — “ Col. 
Hayward’s  IMinstrels,”  “ Col.  Hayward’s  Circus  and  Show  Combi- 
nation ” are  well  known  in  the  amusement  world.  His  connection 
with  the  show  business  commenced  about  1871,  and  since  that  time 
he  has  catered  with  excellent  taste  to  the  amusement  of  the  people 
of  the  West.  His  love  for  the  drama  and  desire  to  please  the  people 
of  Pana,  induced  him  to  arrange  and  fit  up  a superb  Opera  House, 
and  furnish  it  throughout  with  elegant  furniture,  and  every  con- 
venience for  the  accommodation  of  the  public,  and  also  arranged  the 
stage  and  made  it  of  such  proportions  that  the  standard  operas, 
dramas  and  spectacular  plays  could  be  produced  here  as  well  as 
upon  the  stages  in  metropolitan  cities.  An  interior  view  of  this 
elegant  opera  house  can  be  seen  on  another  page.  In  politics  Col. 
Hayward  is  a stanch  and  reliable  republican.  His  first  presi- 
dential vote  was  cast  for  Gen.  U.  S.  Grant,  and  all  subsequent  elec- 
tions have  found  him  true  to  his  first  impressions  and  teachings  in 
the  school  of  politics.  He  is  fearless  in  the  defense  of  his  ideas,  as 
was  sufficiently  attested  in  the  election  that  followed  the  enfran- 
chisement of  the  negro,  under  the  Fifteenth  Amendment  to  the 
Constitution.  The  conferring  of  the  privilege  of  franchise,  and  the 
exercise  of  the  right  of  suffrage  by  the  negro,  was  exceedingly  un- 
popular with  a large  majority  of  the  citizens  of  Pana  and  vicinity, 
so  much  so,  that  an  organized  force  was  present  at  the  polls  to 
prevent  it,  but  notwithstanding  this  force.  Col.  Hayward  demanded 
that  they  should  be  allowed  to  vote,  and  should  be  protected  in  the 
exerci.se  of  their  rights,  and  defied  the  mob  to  prevent  the  colored 
citizens  of  Pana  from  depositing  their  ballots  in  the  box.  Iii  the 
face  of  the  mob,  and  under  his  protection,  the  first  ballot  ever  cast 
in  Pana  by  a negro  was  safely  deposited  in  the  ballot  box,  and 
counted  the  same  as  any  other  American  citizen.  His  bold  stand 
for  the  right  under  such  circumstances  made  him  hosts  of  friends,  and 
demonstrated  his  nerve  and  pluck,  and  love  of  fair  play.  In  order 
that  the  rej)ublicaii  party  might  have  a more  effective  organization 
in  this  section  of  the  State,  he,  in  January,  1880,  purchased  the 
Arfjus,  a democratic  newspaper,  and  converted  it  into  an  exponent 
of  republican  principles.  He  fitted  up  the  office  at  considerable  ex- 
pense, with  new  type,  steam  presses,  material,  and  the  modern  im- 
provements, and  also  introduced  measures  which  infused  into  it  a 
spirit  of  enterprise  that  rapidly  brought  it  up,  until  now  it  is  recog- 
nizied  as  the  ablest  and  most  influential  newspaper  in  this  Congres- 
sional Di.strict.  ^ 

In  187o  the  organization  of  the  Illinois  National  Guards  began. 
Col.  Hayward  was  solicited  to  organize  a comj)any,  which  he  did, 
and  was  elected  captain.  The  State  then  organized  the  companies 
into  regiments.  Upon  this  organization  IMr.  Hayward  was  elected 
Colonel  of  the  5th  Ilegiment  National  Guards,  a position  he  filled 
witli  honor  to  himself  and  credit  to  the  State. 

He  is  an  honorable  mcnd)er  of  the  ancient  order  of  Free  Mason- 
ry, and  has  acceptably  filled  various  offices  in  that  order.  He 
is  also  a member  of  the  I.  f).  f).  F. 

On  the  3d  of  October,  1871,  he  was  united  in  marriage  to  j\Iiss 
Flora  M.  Rood.  She  was  born  in  Springfield,  Mass.,  but  was  a resi- 
dent of  Illinois  since  1853;  her  father,  F.  I).  Rood,  is  now  a resi- 
dent of  Milwaukee,  Wis.  This  marriage  has  been  blcs.scd  with 
four  children,  three  of  whom  arc  living,  all  girls,  and  exceedingly 
bright  and  beautiful  children  ; their  names  arc:  Annie,  Lora,  and 
lone  Hayward.  In  conclusion.  Col.  Hayward  is  a kind-hearted 
man,  full  of  generous  imj)ul.scs,  and  ever  ready  to  lend  a helping 


hand,  and  help  others  over  the  rough  and  rugged  places  that  beset 
life’s  pathway.  He  is  a genial,  pleasant  man  of  good  address  and 
easy  conversational  powers,  and  bears  about  him  the  impress  of  a 
gentleman.  In  all  his  dealings  he  is  honorable  and  honest.  This 
is  his  reputation  wherever  known. 


LOUIS  SCHLIERBACH. 

Among  the  prominent  German  citizens  of  Pana,  none  deserve 
more  special  mention  than  the  subject  of  this  sketch.  He  was  born 
in  the  Northern  part  of  Prussia  on  the  4th  of  September,  1831. 
Louis  Schlierbach,  his  father,  married  Sophia  Bucksemschute. 
There  were  three  children  born  to  them,  two  boys  and  one  girl. 
The  subject  of  this  sketch  is  the  eldest  in  the  family.  He  received 
a good  education  in  the  excellent  schools  of  his  native  land.  After 
he  came  to  America  he  attended  day  school  for  six  months,  and 
night  school  for  two  years.  He  lauded  in  New  York  on  the  28th 
of  June,  1849.  At  first  found  work  on  a farm,  and  then  tried 
gardening  for  a short  time,  neither  of  which  he  found  pleasant  or 
profitable.  He  then  went  to  harness-making — a trade  that  he  had 
learned  in  his  father’s  shop,  while  yet  a resident  in  his  native  land. 
Worked  at  his  trade  in  New  York  city  for  five  years,  and  then 
went  into  the  grocery  business,  in  which  line  he  continue<l  for  five 
months.  The  business  not  proving  remunerative,  he  went  back  to 
harness  making,  and  has  continued  at  it,  with  slight  interruption, 
ever  since.  His  father  and  family  came  to  America  in  1855,  and 
in  1856  they  came  with  our  subject  to  Illinois  and  stopped  in  8t. 
Louis,  and  from  there  went  to  Marine  in  IMadison  county,  where 
they  stayed  six  months,  and  then  came  to  Pana.  Here  the  mother 
of  Louis  died  in  1864,  and  the  father  in  1878.  While  Louis  was  a 
resident  of  Madison  county  he  opened  a small  shop,  but  there 
was  no  business.  He  therefore  concluded  to  come  to  Pana,  which 
had  only  been  laid  out  a few  years  but  there  was  a prospect 
of  its  becoming  a business  place  in  due  time.  When  he  first  came 
to  Pana  he  hired  a carpenter  to  build  him  a house  in  which  to  open 
his  trade;  but  there  was  little  to  do  there  in  his  line,  and  he 
therefore  did  wdiatever  came  in  his  w’ay,  and  labored  at  anything 
that  oft’ered  until  he  could  get  work  in  his  shop. 

The  country  soon  began  to  fill  uj).  Farms  were  opened,  land  was 
tilled,  and  the  wheels  of  commerce  began  to  move,  and  soou  there 
was  a demand  for  harness.  He  stuck  to  the  shop,  and,  metaphori- 
cally speaking,  the  shop  stuck  by  him.  He  has  made  it  a success, 
the  result  of  understanding  his^ business,  being  industrious  and 
economical. 

On  the  15th  of  Sept.,  1858,  he  married  Louisa  BucLscmschute. 
She  died  Aug.  12th,  1860.  On  the  15th  of  Sept.,  1863,  he  married 
Minnie,  sister  of  his  first  wife.  By  this  marriage  there  have  been 
four  children,  two  boys  and  two  girls.  Theodore  Louis,  the  eldest 
son,  is  now'  a student  in  the  Evangelical  Lutheran  College,  near 
Chicago.  Louisa,  Henrietta  and  Frederick  are  yet  beneath  the 
parental  roof.  In  politics  IMr.  Schlierbacli  has  always  been  a de- 
mocrat. He  has  taken  quite  an  active  part  in  the  local  politics  of 
his  town,  and  has  represented  his  ward  in  the  City  Council.  In 
all  these  offices  he  gave  entire  satisfaction  to  his  numerous  friends. 
He  is  a member  of  the  ancient  and  honorable  order  of  Free  Mason- 
ry, and  is  both  a Blue  Lodge  and  Chapter  member.  He  is  also  a 
incinber  of  the  I.  ().  ().  F.  i\Ir.  S.,  and  his  wife  are  members  of 
the  Evangelical  Lutheran  Church.  Mr.  Schlierbach  is  one  of 
the  worthy  citizens  of  Pana.  He  came  here  while  the  city 
was  yet  in  its  infancy.  He  has  seen  it  grow  from  a few  straggling 
cabins  to  be  one  of  the  commercial  points  and  business  places  of 
Central  Illinois,  and,  it  may  be  said  to  his  credit,  that  in  all 
the.se  years  he  has  maintained  his  standing  as  a good  citizen. 


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HISTORY  OF  CHRISTIAN  COUNTY,  ILLINOIS. 


149 


JESSE  W.  AUSTIN. 

Among  the  substantial  fanners  and  leadingagriculturists  of  Chris- 
tian county  stands  the  name  of  the  gentleman  who  heads  this  sketch. 
He  is  a native  of  Hamilton  county,  Indiana.  The  ancestry  of  the 
Austin  family  is  of  English  extraction.  His  father,  George  Austin, 
was  born  in  Vermont  in  1806.  When  in  his  twentieth  year  he 
came  west  and  settled  in  Ohio,  in  the  southern  part  of  the  state: 
this  was  in  1826.  Two  years  later  he  moved  to  Hamilton  county, 
Indiana,  and  engaged  in  farming,  remaining  there  until  1832,  when 
he  came  to  Illinois,  and  settled  in  the  south-eastern  part  of  St.  Clair 
county,  where  he  followed  farming  until  1875,  when  he  removed  to 
Randolph  county,  where  he  at  present  resides,  a hale,  hearty  man 
of  over  three-score  years  and  ten.  His  occupation  through  life  has 
been  that  of  a farmer,  in  which  he  has  been  very  successful.  He 
married  Polly  Wright,  who  was  also  a native  of  Vermont.  Thei’e 
were  eleven  children  born  to  them — four  sous  and  seven  daughters. 
Seven  of  the  children  are  still  living. 

Jesse  W.  is  the  third  in  the  family,  and  was  born  September  19th 
1832,  in  Hamilton  county,  Indiana.  He  was  yet  in  his  infancy 
when  his  parents  moved  to  St.  Clair  county,  Illinois,  and  is  there- 
fore practically  an  Illinoisian, — his  infancy,  youth  and  manhood, 
having  been  passed  in  this  state.  Like  most  farmer-boys,  he 
worked  on  the  farm  in  the  summer  season  and  attended  the  schools 
in  the  winter  months.  His  life  was  thus  passed  until  he  reached 
his  eighteenth  year,  when  he  practically  started  out  in  life  for  him- 
self. At  that  age  he  went  to  St.  Louis,  where  he  remained  for  three 


MRS.  MARY  AUSTIN. 


years,  a portion  of  the  time  at  work  upon  a farm  and  the  balance 
in  a livery-stable.  Then  he  went  to  Cairo,  111.,  where  he  remained 
nearly  two  years  at  work  in  a saw-mill,  after  which  he  returned 
home  to  St.  Clair  county  and  purchased  a threshing  machine,  and 
in  connection  with  his  brother  did  threshing  for  the  farmers  in  his 
neighborhood.  Two  years  later  he  purchased  land,  and  went  to 
farming. 

On  March  19th,  1860,  he  married  IMiss  Mary  Miles,  who  is  a 
native  of  St.  Clair  county,  and  whose  parents  were  from  the  state  of 
New  York. 

Mr.  Austin  continued  farming  in  St.  Clair  county  until  March, 
1867,  when  he  sold  out,  and  in  April  following  came  to  Christian 
county  and  bought  160  acres  of  land  in  Sec.  35,  T.  12,  R.  1 E.,  and 
commenced  its  cultivation  and  improvement,  upon  which  he  built  a 
house.  In  1875  he  added  240  acres  to  it,  and  the  same  fall  he 
erected  a large  and  commodious  farm-house,  barn  and  out-houses,  a 
view  of  which  can  be  seen  on  another  page,  and  there  he  resides  in 
comfort  and  enjoyment. 

When  he  first  came  to  Christian  county  and  purchased  the  laud, 
it  was  raw,  unbroken  prairie,  and  from  this  stage  it  has  passed  into 
a magnificent  farm,  and  ranks  as  one  of  the  best  improved  in  the 
township  and  county.  There  is  no  less  than  six  miles  of  hedge- 
fence,  all  of  which  is  in  fine,  healthy  condition,  and  kept  trimmed  in 
such  a way  as  to  render  it  ornamental  and  useful. 


150 


HISTORY  OF  CHRISTIAN  COUNTY,  ILLINOIS. 


As  will  be  seen  by  a perusal  of  the  foregoing,  Mr.  Austin’s  life  , 
has  been  principally  passed  upon  a farm.  He  has  made  farming 
the  chief  occupation  and  business  of  his  life,  and  it  is  not  necessary 
for  us  to  add  that  in  this  pursuit  he  has  been  successful.  The  fine 
farm,  well  improved,  and  w'ell  stocked  with  choice  cattle, 
is  an  indication  that  success  has  crowned  his  efforts.  He  also  has 
the  proud  consciousness  that  it  has  been  the  accumulation  of  his 
own  toil  and  good  management.  He  owes  it  to  no  freak  of  fortune 
or  good  luck,  but  to  his  own  pensonal  efforts,  assisted  by  his  excel- 
lent wife  and  helpmate. 

In  politics  he  was  formerly  a democrat,  and  cast  his  first  vote  for 
James  Buchanan  in  1856,  and  the  second  for  Stephen  A.  Douglas 
in  1860.  After  the  breaking  out  of  the  war  he  arrayed  himself  on 
the  side  of  freedom  and  human  rights,  and  from  that  time  to  the 
present  he  has  been  an  ardent  and  warm  supporter  of  republican 
priuciples. 

He  is  not  a member  of  any  church  organization,  nor  subscriber 
to  any  of  the  formulated  or  ritualistic  creeds ; but  he  honestly  be- 
lieves in  “ doing  unto  others  as  you  would  have  others  do  unto  you,” 
and  thinks  that  if  this  idea  was  lived  up  to  the  millennium 
would  not  be  so  far  distant.  He  is  a member  of  the  honorable 
order  of  I.  O.  O.  F. 

In  his  marriage  he  has  been  happily  blessed  with  four  children — 
three  sons  and  one  daughter.  Their  names  are  Alonzo,  William, 
Amy,  and  Owen  Austin. 

The  foregoing  is  a brief  biographical  sketch  of  one  of  the  most 
substantial  farmers  and  best  citizens  of  Christian  county.  In  the 
district  he  is  regarded  as  an  honest,  honorable  and  upright  friend 
and  neighbor.  He  is  public-spirited,  kind  and  hospitable ; and  in 
his  home  extends  a friendly  hand  of  welcome  to  all  who  come 
within  its  eircle. 


JOHX  H.  DA  WHY. 

Tiik  Dawdy  family  are  natives  of  Kentucky.  David  Dawdy, 
the  father  of  John  II.,  was  taken  to  Tennessee  while  young,  and 
grew  to  manhood  in  that  state.  lie  was  a soldier  of  the  war  of 
1812,  and  was  in  Gen.  Coffee’s  division,  under  the  command  of  Gen. 
Jackson.  After  the  war,  or  in  1816,  he  came  to  the  territory  of 
Illinois,  and  settled  in  what  is  now  known  as  Hamilton  county.  He 
remained  there  until  1822,  when  he  returned  to  Tennessee,  and  re- 
mained there  until  1827,  when  he  moved  to  Shelby  county,  to  a 
])lace  four  miles  north  of  Shelbyville,  where  he  died  in  1852.  He 
married  Nancy  Tindall,  a native  of  Augusta,  Georgia,  who  died 
three  months  after  her  husband.  By  this  union  there  were  ten 
children,  five  of  whom  have  survived  the  jiarents. 

.John  II.  Dawdy  is  the  fourth  in  the  family,  and  was  born  in 
Hamilton  county,  Illinois,  near  McLeansboro,  March  6th,  1820. 
His  education, such  as  it  was,  was  received  in  log  school -homses  with 
dirt  floors,  and  greased  skins  for  windows.  'I'hc  teachers,  if  they 
turned  up  sober  on  Monday  morning,  made  reasonably  good  in- 
etruetors  for  the  remainder  of  the  week.  ’Phis  was  the  pioneer  era  ' 
of  the  state.  The  school  system  of  tho.se  days  was  crude,  and  the 
methotls  employed  for  imparting  knowledge,  if  jiossible,  cruder 
still.  .John  II.  had  therefore  to  content  himself  with  but  a slight 
knowledge  of  the  rudimentary  j)rinci|)les.  He  worked  ujion  | 
the  farm  until  he  became  of  age,  when  he  commenced  trading  in 
Jiorscs,  in  which  he  continued  for  .some  time.  He  rode  as  Deputy- 
eheriff  and  farmed  until  1846,  when  he  discontinued  farming,  and 
gave  all  hi.  time  to  the  deputy  busine.ss  until  1854.  He  then  en- 
gaged in  merchandizing  in  fShelbyville,  and  continued  there  until 
the  sjiring  of  1856,  when  he  came  to  I’ana,  and  continued  the  busi- 
I1C3.S  there  until  the  latter  jtart  of  1858.  In  18.56  he  was  elected 


Associate  Justice  for  the  county  for  the  term  of  four  years.  At  the 
expiration  of  his  offiee  he  was  elected  Justiee  of  the  Peace,  and  has 
held  that  office  ever  since,  with  the  exception  of  four  years. 

On  the  25th  of  January,  1844,  he  married  Miss  Jane  Frazier. 
She  was  born  in  Kentucky,  but  was  raised  in  Shelby  county.  111-, 
where  she  was  living  at  the  time  of  her  marriage.  There  have  been 
two  children  born  to  them,  both  boys.  Their  names  are  William 
H.,  who  is  a lawyer  in  Greenville,  Bond  county,  and  Charles,  who 
is  a clerk  in  Greenville. 

Judge  Dawdy  is  a democrat,  and  cast  his  first  presidential  vote 
for  James  K.  Polk  in  1844.  During  the  war  he  was  a Douglass 
democrat  and  a strong  union  man. 

Both  he  and  his  wife  and  children  are  members  of  the  Christian 
church,  of  which  he  has  been  a member  for  thirty  years. 

He  is  a strong  advocate  of  temperance,  and  has  always  opposed 
the  granting  of  licen.^e.  He  is  a w’orthy  citizen,  and  is  much 
resjrected  wdierever  known. 


JAMES  C.  ESSICK. 

The  subject  of  this  sketch  is  a native  of  Chester  county,  Pa.,  and 
was  born  October  18,  1844.  His  father,  James  H.  Essiek,  removed 
with  his  family  to  Shelby  county,  Illinois,  in  1858,  and  engaged  in 
farming  until  1865,  when  he  came  to  Pana,  Christian  county,  where 
he  died  in  December  of  the  same  year.  His  wife,  and  mother  of 
James  C.,  still  lives  and  resides  with  the  subject  of  this  sketch. 
James  C.  is  the  third  in  a family  of  six  children,  five  of  whom  are 
still  living.  He  was  educated  in  the  eommon  and  select  schools  of 
his  native  State,  and  Illinois.  Having  determined  to  follow  the 
I profession  of  law,  he  spent  his  leisure  hours  in  reading  and  studying 
the  standard  text-books.  He  afterwards  entered  the  law  office  of 
J.  C.  Mcfiuigg,  and  there  pursued  his  studies  for  two  years.  He 
was  admitted  to  the  bar  in  the  .sj^ring  of  1870,  and  immediately  en- 
gaged in  the  practice  in  which  he  has  been  very  successful.  Soon 
after  his  admission  to  the  bar  he  was  choosen  corporation  counsel 
for  the  town  of  Pana.  He  has  been  for  a number  of  years  past,  and  is 
now,  local  attorney  for  the  Ohio  and  Mississippi  Railway  Company, 
also  for  the  Indianapolis  and  St.  Louis  Railway  Company.  Has 
a lucrative  practice,  and  ranks  as  one  of  the  best  lawyers  in  his 
county.  He  is  a Republican  in  politics,  and  upon  the  temperance 
question  is  a ])rohibitionist.  Mr.  E.,  and  his  wife  are  active  mem- 
bers of  the  M.  E.  Church.  He  takes  an  active  part  in  the  Sunday- 
school  work,  and  has  been  for  six  years  and  is  now  siqx'rintendent. 
On  the  4th  of  August,  1874,  he  was  married  to  Miss  IMaggic  C. 
Newell.  She  was  born  and  raised  in  Canada.  Her  parents,  Alfred 
and  Harriet  Newell,  are  natives  of  Yorkshire,  England.  Two 
children  have  been  born  to  i\Ir.  and  IMrs.  Essiek,  a girl  and  a boy 
— named  Mary  Emma  and  Charles  Alfred,  aged  respectively  four 
and  two  years.  In  his  manners  Mr.  Essiek  is  a pleasant,  courteous 
gentleman,  j)lain  and  unassuming,  and  has  many  friends  in  Chris- 
tian county. 


WILLIAM  .Al.  SMITH. 

The  8id)ject  of  the  following  brief  biographical  sketch  was  born 
I in  Virginia,  August  2,  1834.  His  father,  William  D.  Smith,  was 
a native  of  the  .-<amc  state.  He  emigrated  to  Illinois  in  1858,  and 
settled  in  Montgomery  county,  where  he  still  resides.  William  M. 
came  to  CJiristian  county  in  1856,  and  taught  school  on  Bear  creek 
in  the  years  1858-0,  at  what  was  then  known  as  t he  “ U])j)er  School- 
IIou.se.”  The  directors  were:  T.  Leigh,  J.  Haley  and  G.  W. 
White.  On  the  27th  of  December,  1850,  Air.  Smith  was  united  in 
marriage  to  Aliss  Alary  J.  Alcl’ollum.  Her  ])arcnts  were  natives  of 


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Bulrerelty  o?  lUteote 


HISTORY  OF  CHRISTIAN  COUNTY,  ILLINOIS. 


151 


Kentucky,  but  emigrated  to  Illinois  while  Mrs.  Smith  was  yet  in  her 
infancy.  The  McCollum  family  were  the  first  settlers  on  Bear 
creek  except  the  Durbins.  Robert  C.  McCollum,  her  father,  died  while 
she  was  yet  a child.  There  have  been  four  children  born  to  W.  H. 
and  Mary  J.  Smith.  Their  names  are:  Robert  A.  who  is  a druggist 
in  Owaneco,  this  county,  Jeannette  A.,  Mary  and  W.  Frank  Smith. 

Mr.  Smith  is  one  of  the  old  settlers  of  Christian  county.  When 
he  came  here  the  country  was  young  and  unimproved.  He  has 
lived  to  see  it  grow'  and  prosper,  and  become  one  of  the  best  counties 
in  the  state. 


WILLIAM  II.  KEWCOMB. 

The  subject  of  this  biographical  sketch  was  born  on  the  12th  of 
February,  1841,  in  Montgomery  county,  Illinois.  His  father, 
William  A.  Newcomb,  was  born  in  Prince  George’s  county,  Virginia. 
He  came  to  this  state  soon  after  it  was  admitted  to  the  Union,  and 
was  known  as  “ Major  ” Newcomb  from  having  held  a commission 
as  Major  in  the  State  Militia,  under  Governor  Reynolds.  Was 
a carpenter,  joiner  and  cabinet-maker  by  trade.  He  subsequently 
abandoned  these  trades,  engaged  in  farming,  and  afterward  in 
mercantile  pursuits.  When  he  came  to  Illinois  he  was  possessed 
of  little  means  with  a large  family  depending  upon  him  for 
support.  He  went  resolutely  to  work  and  succeeded  through 
good  management  and  industry  in  making  him  and  them  comforta- 
ble, and  above  the  wants  and  dangers  of  penury.  Although  success- 
ful in  life,  yet  he  met  with  severe  losses,  which  at  the  time  threatened 
to  sweep  away  the  accumulation  and  toil  of  years.  He  remained 
in  Montgomery  county  until  1864,  wdieu  he  moved  to  Pana,  where 
he  remained  until  his  death  in  1876.  He  married  Ann  Armbrister. 
She  was  born  in  Wythe  county,  Va.  She  died  in  Pana,  in  1874. 
Nine  children  were  born  to  them,  six  of  whom  have  survived  the 
parents.  William  II.  is  the  seventh  in  the  family.  He  remained 
at  home  until  his  eighteenth  year,  when  he  commenced  traveling 
for  an  Insurance  Company.  Soon  after  he  was  engaged  in  farming, 
in  which  he  continued  for  two  years,  then  went  west  and  stopped  in 
Colorado  for  one  year,  where  he  became  a miner.  He  then  went 
to  Montana  Territory,  and  engaged  in  similar  pursuits.  He  re- 
mained there  until  the  fall  of  1866,  and  was  ordinarily  successful. 
He  made  money  and  met  with  reverses, — losing  at  one  time  as 
much  as  ten  thousand  dollars,  which  was  his  entire  fortune.  Nothing 
daunted,  however,  he  commenced  at  the  bottom  and  carefully 
and  laboriously  toiled  up  again.  He  returned  to  Pana  in  1866, 
and  in  the  spring  of  1867  in  connection  with  his  brother  Thomas  J., 
engaged  in  the  grocery  and  provision  trade.  This  partnership 
lasted  one  year,  when  he  formed  a partnership  with  his  father, 
which  continued  until  the  latter’s  death  in  1876.  Since  that  time 
his  elder  brother,  J.  W.,  has  been  his  partner.  As  will  be  seen,  Mr. 
Newcomb  is  among  the  oldest  merchants  in  Pana,  and  one  who 
has  always  borne  an  honorable  name,  and  been  recognized  as  one  of 
the  public-spirited  and  enterprising  merchants  of  the  place.  On 
the  13th  of  August,  1871,  he  married  Elvira  Corley.  She  was  born 
and  raised  in  Shelby  county,  Illinois.  Four  cbildren  have  blessed 
this  union,  two  of  whom  are  living.  Their  names  are  Myrta  and 
Clinton  Newcomb. 

His  wife  is  a member  of  the  M.  E.  Church.  He  is  an  active 
member  of  the  I.  O.  O.  F.,  and  the  Royal  Templars  of  Temperance. 
In  politics  he  is  an  active  and  stanch  democrat,  and  has  been  from 
the  casting  of  his  first  vote  to  the  present  time.  In  1878,  he  was 
honored  by  being  elected  Mayor  of  the  city,  and  while  in  that  office 
discharged  the  duties  in  a manner  highly  satisfactory  to  his  numer- 
ous friends.  As  a man  and  a citizen,  Mr.  Newcomb  is  much 
respected. 


Dr.  GEORGE  W.  PATTON. 

The  Patton  family  were  originally  from  England,  from  which 
they  were  driven  by  persecution  to  take  iqi  their  residence  in 
France.  The  branch  from  which  the  present  family  spring,  subse- 
quently settled  in  the  north  of  Ireland.  \Yilliam  Patton,  the  father 
of  the  subject  of  this  sketch,  was  born  in  Ireland,  or  in  Pennsylva- 
nia soon  after  the  arrival  of  the  family  in  this  country — the  exact 
place  of  his  birth  is  not  known.  He  was  engaged  during  his  life  in 
merchandizing,  manufacturing,  and  subsequently  in  contracting  and 
building  public  works.  He  built  railroads  and  canals  in  tbe  east, 
and  several  of  the  western  states.  His  last  work  was  building  a 
portion  of  the  Illinois  Central  railroad.  He  lived  in  Pittsburg, 
Sandusky,  Ohio,  Chicago,  and  moved  to  Pana  about  1851,  and  died 
there  in  1854.  His  family  still  remain  there,  and  are  among  the 
early  settlers  of  that  section  of  the  state  and  county.  He  married 
Martha  Scott,  by  whom  he  had  ten  children.  Dr.  George  W.  is 
the  sixth  in  the  family.  He  was  born  in  Armstrong  county,  Penn- 
sylvania, April  15th,  1840.  He  received  a liberal  education  in  the 
schools  of  Allegheny,  Pa.,  Sandusky,  Ohio,  and  after  the  family 
came  to  Illinois,  he  attended  one  terra  of  school  in  Springfield, 
after  which  he  returned  to  Pittsburgh  and  entered  Scovill’s 
College,  where  he  remained  two  years.  During  all  this  time  he 
read  the  standard  text  books  upon  medicine  and  anatomy.  While 
in  Pennsylvania  he  received  jirivate  instruction  in  the  knowledge 
of  medicine.  He  came  back  to  Pana  and  entered  the  office 
of  Dr.  R.  G.  Norris,  with  whom  he  remained  four  years,  and  then 
commenced  the  practice.  In  1864  he  attended  lectures  in  the 
Jefferson  Medical  College,  at  Philadelphia,  and  in  the  winter  of 
1876  entered  Bellvue  Hospital  Medical  College,  at  New  York,  and 
graduated  therefrom  in  the  spring  of  1868.  He  returned  to  Pana, 
and  has  continued  the  practice  to  the  present  time. 

On  the  21st  of  December,  1871,  he  married  Miss  Amie  Brown, 
of  Chri.^tian  county.  Ills.  By  this  union  there  have  been  three 
children,  two  of  whom  are  living.  Their  names  are  George  Gordon 
and  Cora  Ethel.  Mary  Maud  died  in  infancy. 

In  politics.  Dr.  Patton  is  a republican.  He  is  a member  of  the 
Masonic  Fraternity,  and  belongs  to  tbe  Blue  Lodge  and  Chapter. 
He  is  a strong  advocate  of  the  cause  of  temperance,  and  is  a total 
abstinence  man.  Both  he  and  his  wife  are  members  of  the  New 
School  Presbyterian  Church.  In  his  manners,  he  is  a plain,  unos- 
tentatious gentleman,  honorable  and  honest  in  all  his  dealings. 
This  is  the  character  he  bears  among  the  people  with  whom  he  has 
lived  for  over  a quarter  of  a century. 

In  the  practice  of  medicine.  Dr.  Patton  has  been  very  successful. 
He  has  lived  to  see  many  of  his  professional  brethren  come  to  Pana, 
and  commence  the  practice,  but  the  hardships  and  fatigue  incident 
to  a physician’s  life  in  a comparatively  new  country  soon  had 
its  effect  iqion  many  of  them,  and  they  would  linger  awhile,  then 
go  away  to  other  places  where  the  practice  was  not  so  laborious  and 
where  the  remuneration  was  more  certain. 


J.  B.  SHAFFER. 

The  subject  of  this  sketch  is  a native  of  Franklin  county.  Pa. 
He  was  born  January  31st,  1848.  His  father,  John  H.  Shaffer,  is 
a native  of  the  same  county  and  state.  He  removed  to  Illinois  in 
1857,  and  settled  near  the  town  of  Pana,  where  he  engaged  in  farm- 
ing, and  later  in  the  ice  business,  in  which  he  still  continues.  He 
married  Martha  Bratton,  a native  of  Pennsylvania.  J.  B.  is  the 
eighth  in  a family  of  eleven  children,  seven  of  whom  are  living. 
He  received  a fair  education  in  the  common  schools  of  Pana  and 
vicinity.  At  the  age  of  twelve  years,  he  entei’ed  the  grocery  and 


152 


HISTORY  OF  CHRISTIAN  COUNTY,  ILLINOIS. 


provision  store  of  H.  S.  Eichelberger,  with  whom  he  continued 
for  seven  years,  after  which  he  clerked  in  a dry  goods  and  clothing 
store  for  one  year.  He  then  went  back  to  the  grocery  and  pro- 
vision trade,  and  has  been  in  that  business  up  to  the  })resent  time, 
except  one  year  and  a half  that  he  spent  in  Kansas,  where  he  enter- 
ed land  and  engaged  in  farming.  1 1 is  health  failing,  he  was  com- 
pelled to  abandon  farming;  he  then  returned  to  Pana.  In  1874, 
he  2^urchased  a stock  of  groceries,  and  since  that  time  has  been 
in  the  trade  for  himself. 

On  the  22(1  of  December,  1874,  he  married  Miss  Victoria  Abrell. 
She  was  born  in  Spencer,  Owen  county,  Indiana.  Her  parents 
came  to  Pana  in  1864. 

In  politics,  Mr.  Shaffer  is  a democrat.  His  first  vote  for  presi- 
dent was  cast  for  Horace  Greeley,  in  1872,  since  wdiich  time  he  has 
been  a member  of  that  party.  Both  he  and  his  wife  are  members 
of  the  Presbyterian  church.  He  is  a member  of  the  order  of  A.  O. 
U.  ^y.,  Pana  Lodge,  No.  43.  3Ir.  Shaffer  is  yet  but  a young  man, 
just  entering,  so  to  speak,  upon  the  business  of  life,  but  he  has 
already  given  ample  evidence  of  his  ability  to  take  care  of  business 
and  manage  in  such  a manner  as  to  insure  himself  a competency  in 
later  years.  He  is  industrious,  economical  and  honest,  which  are 
the  sure  foundations  and  safeguards  of  future  success. 

He  is  much  respected  in  his  town,  and  was  twice  chosen  city 
clerk.  It  is  with  pleasure  that  we  record  these  few  words  in  his 
favor. 


L.  C.  REESE. 

The  present  efficient  j)ost-master  of  Pana  was  born  in  Franklin 
county,  Ohio,  May  20th,  1840.  The  ancestry  of  the  family  on  the 
paternal  side  is  Welsh,  and  on  the  maternal  Scotch. 

The  father,  Thomas  Reese,  was  a native  of  Fairfield,  Ohio.  He 
was  a miller  by  trade,  and  f)llowed  that  business  and  fanning  the 
greater  part  of  his  life.  He  remained  in  Ohio  until  his  death, 
which  occurred  in  1866.  He  married  Elmira  Dickey.  By  this 
union  there  were  five  children,  all  boys. 

The  subject  of  this  sketch  is  the  second  in  the  family.  He  at- 
tended the  common  schools  of  his  native  state,  and  received  a good 
education.  After  attaining  his  majority  he  entered  the  Ohio  Wes- 
leyan University,  where  he  remained  two  years;  after  which  he  re- 
turned home  and  engaged  with  the  Miami  Powder  Company,  and 
as  their  agent  traveled  through  Indiana  and  Illinois.  His  father, 
dying  in  1866,  he  returned  home  and  spent  the  following  two  years 
in  settling  up  his  estate. 

In  1870,  he  engaged  with  the  Austin  Powder  Company,  of  Cleve- 
land, as  their  agent,  and  came  to  Pana,  and  located  a Powder  Mag- 
azine there,  and  made  that  the  distributing  point  for  a large  scope 
of  country  in  Central  Illinois.  lie  remained  with  the  company 
until  1874,  when  he  was  appointed  postmaster  to  fill  out  the  unex- 
pired term  of  A.  C.  Vandewatcr.  At  the  exj)iration  of  the  term 
be  was  rc-ap|)ointe<l  by  Pre.sident  Hayes  for  the  full  term,  and  at 
the  j)re.sent  time  fills  the  office  and  discharges  the  duties  thereof  in 
a manner  highly  .satisfactory  to  the  citizens  of  Pana  and  vicinity. 

On  the  3d  of  duly,  186!),  he  was  united  in  marriage  to  Mi.ss 
Huhla  Case,  who  is  a native  of  Franklin  county,  Ohio,  but  was  a 
resident  of  Hanover,  Indiana,  at  the  time  of  her  marriage.  She  is 
SI  gradiuite  of  the  O.xfinfl  I'emale  Seminary,  sind  while  . a resident 
of  Hanover,  Indisinsi,  laid  charge  of  the  High  School  sis  Principal. 
By  this  niarriiige  there  have  been  thi'ce  children,  one  boy  and  two 
girls. 

During  the  latter  jmrt  of  the  war  Mr.  Reese  enlisted  as  a private 
in  the  13.'!d  regiment,  Ohio  infantry,  and  took  ]>art  in  the  closing 
campaign  of  the  war,  under  Grant  in  ^'irginia.  In  politics  Mr. 


Reese  is  a republican,  and  cast  his  first  vote  for  John  Brough,  for 
Governor  of  Ohio,  in  1 863.  His  second  vote  was  cast  for  Lincoln 
in  1864,  since  wdiich  time  he  has  been  a stalwart  republican. 

He  and  his  wife  are  members  of  the  M.  E.  Church.  He  is 
also  a member  of  the  ancient  and  honorable  order  of  Freemasonry, 
and  a member  of  the  Chapter  at  Pana. 


N.  B.  CHALFANT. 

The  subject  of  this  sketch  w’as  born  December  9th,  1846,  in  Tus- 
carawas county,  Ohio.  His  father,  Abner  Chalfant,  was  a native 
of  Brownsville,  Penna.  He  moved  to  Ohio  in  1811,  and  settled  in 
Jeffenson  county,  and  afterwards  moved  to  Tuscarawas  county, 
where  he  remained  until  March  23d,  1863,  when  he  came  to  Illinois 
and  settled  in  Clay  county,  where  he  died  October  9th,  1865.  He 
married  Rachel  McDonough.  She  is  a native  of  Ohio,  and  is  yet 
living  in  Clay  county.  The  subject  of  this  sketch  is  the  eldest  in  a 
family  of  four  children,  two  of  whom  are  living.  He  received  a 
good  education  in  the  common  schools,  and  worked  on  the  farm 
until  February,  1865,  when  he  enlisted  as  a private  for  three  years 
in  company  B,  152d  regiment,  Illinois  volunteers.  The  regiment 
was  a part  of  the  army  under  command  of  Gen.  Geo.  H.  Thomas. 
The  w’ar  being  near  its  close  the  regiment  did  not  participate  in  any 
regular  battle,  but  did  general  duty.  They  were  mustered  out  in 
September,  1865,  at  Memphis,  and  discharged  at  Camp  Butler, 
Springfield,  Illinois.  He  then  returned  home  to  Clay  county,  and 
worked  upon  a farm  ; afterward  w'as  De|)uty  Sheriff  of  Clay  coun- 
ty, and  then  went  back  to  farming  again.  Then  removed  to 
Tuscarawas  county,  Ohio,  where  on  the  13th  of  January,  1876,  he 
married  Miss  Caroline  Bourquin.  Her  father  was  a native  of 
France  He  came  to  America  and  settled  in  Ohio  at  an  early  date 
in  the  history  of  that  state.  IMrs.  Chalfant  is  the  fourth  in  a fami- 
ly of  nine  children.  She  was  born  July  11th,  1848.  Her  mother 
died  April,  1857,  and  her  father  April  21st,  1879  Two  children 
have  been  born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Chalfant,  named  Edwin  Bourquin 
and  Otto  Abram,  aged  respectively  four  and  two  years.  In  De- 
cember, 1877,  IMr.  Chalfant  removed  from  Clay  to  Christian  coun- 
ty. He  first  stopped  near  Oldman,  in  Rosemond  township,  where 
he  remained  until  INIarch  2d,  1880,  when  he  purchased  laud  in  the 
north-east  part  of  section  thirty,  Pana  township,  where  he  at  ])re- 
sent  resides. 

In  politics  he  is  a republican.  In  the  township  and  among  his 
neighbors  Mr.  Chalfant  is  regarded  as  an  honorable  and  upright 
man,  of  steady  and  temperate  habits,  and  industrious.  A view  of 
his  residence  and  farm  is  shown  on  another  page  of  this  w'ork. 


BERN  HART  HEGLE. 

The  subject  of  this  sketch  is  a native  of  Germany.  He  was  born 
November  5th,  1826.  He  was  fairly  educated  in  the  common 
schools  of  his  native  land.  At  the  age  of  fourteen  he  commenced 
the  trade  of  a butcher,  and  served  two  years  of  an  apprenticeship, 
after  which  he  worked  as  a master  of  his  trade  at  the  business  to  the 
jiresent  time.  When  in  his  twenty-eighth  year,  he  left  Germany  and 
came  to  America,  landing  in  New  York  on  the  4th  of  August,  1854. 
He  .stupped  in  New  York  a short' time,  then  went  to  Cincinnati, 
where  he  followed  the  butchering  business  for  four  years.  He  then 
removed  to  the  town  of  Washington,  in  Tazewell  county,  Illinois, 
where  he  stayed  two  years;  then  to  Peoria  two  years;  then  to 
Springfield,  where  he  remained  eight  years,  and  on  the  19th  of  Feb- 
ruary, 1870,  he  came  to  Pana,  where  he  resided  and  followed 
the  butchering  business.  During  the  time  he  lived  in 
Washington  he  married  iUrs.  Sarah  Clements,  nee  Varley.  She 


HISTORY  OF  CHRISTIAN  COUNTY,  ILLINOIS. 


153 


is  a native  of  Yorkshire,  England.  Her  parents  came  to  America 
in  1831,  and  settled  near  Cincinnati,  afterwards  removed  to  Illinois 
and  settled  in  Peoria  county.  He  is  a member  of  the  Catholic 
church,  and  his  wife  a member  of  the  Presbyterian.  In  politics 
Mr.  Hegle  has  always  voted  and  acted  with  the  democratic  party. 
His  first  vote  was  cast  for  Stephen  A.  Douglas  in  18(30.  He  is  a 
member  of  the  honorable  order  of  I O.  O.  F.,  Pana  Lodge,  No.  610. 
Few  men  in  Pana  are  more  respected  for  their  worth  as  a man  and 
citizen  than  Mr.  Hegle.  In  the  business  of  his  life  he  has  been  very 
successful,  notwithstanding  he  met  with  severe  losses  and  reverses. 
He  is  in  a position  to  enjoy  a life  of  ease  should  he  so  will  it. 
What  he  possesses  has  been  accumulated  and  gathered  together  by 
a life  of  toil  and  the  practice  of  economical  habits,  which  are  so 
characteristic  of  the  German  people. 

We  call  the  attention  of  the  reader  to  a view  of  his  residence  on 
another  page. 

HENRY  G.  CONDER 

AYas  born  in  Mercer  county,  Kentucky,  July  19th,  1820.  The 
Conder  family  is  of  German  descent.  They  came  to  America  and 
settled  in  the  Carolinas  at  an  early  day,  and  from  there  came  to 
Kentuck}\  Thomas  M.  Conder,  the  father  of  the  present  sketcli, 
was  a stone-mason  in  his  younger  days,  but  afterwards  engaged  in 
farming.  He  married  Nancy  Whittinghill.  She  was  also  a native 
of  Kentucky.  In  1840  he  moved  with  his  family  to  Owen  county, 
Indiana,  where  he  remained  until  1858  or  ’59,  when  he  came  to 
Illinois,  and  settled  in  McLean  county,  where  he  remained  until  his 
death,  which  took  place  March  17th,  1865.  His  wife  died  in  No- 
vember of  the  same  year.  There  were  twelve  children  in  the  family, 
eight  of  whom  have  survived  the  parents.  Henry  G.  is  the  second 
son.  He  remained  at  home  at  work  upon  the  farm  until  his  tw'enty- 
second  year.  During  his  youth  he  had  but  limited  opportunities 
for  receiving  an  education.  On  the  22d  of  June,  1848,  he  married 
IMrs.  Dicy  A.  Dawson,  nee  Scott,  a native  of  Owen  county,  Indiana. 
By  this  union  there  have  been  ten  children,  si.v  of  whom  are  living. 
IMrs.  Conder  had  two  children  by  her  former  marriage,  one  of 
whom  is  living,  viz:  James  A.  Dawson.  Both  he  and  his  brother, 
Samuel  T.,  were  members  of  Comj)any  B,  88th  Regiment  Indiana 
Volunteers,  during  the  late  war.  They  enlisted  in  1862,  and  re- 
mained in  service  until  the  close  of  the  war.  The  names  of  the 
children  are:  Claretta,  wife  of  John  Jehle.  She  died  in  February, 
1875.  She  had  three  children,  one  of  whom  is  living.  His  name 
is  James  Jehle.  Frances  Mary,  wife  of  C.  E.  Tallon  ; Isaac  Floyd, 
married  and  at  home  on  the  farm;  Nancy  E.;  Millie,  diid  at  the 
age  of  two  years;  John  H.,  Lizzie,  Josc[)h  T.,  died  October  1st, 
1875,  in  his  fifteenth  year;  E Idie  S.,  and  Georgiana.  After  Mr. 
Conder’s  marriage  he  engaged  in  farming  in  Indiana,  and  remained 
there  until  1854,  when  he  removed  to  McLean  county,  Illinois, 
where  he  farmed  until  the  spring  of  1864,  when  he  came  to  Pana 
township,  in  Christian  county,  purchased  land  in  Section  12, 
aud  made  a farm,  put  on  the  improvements,  and  there  he  has  re- 
mained to  the  present.  He  may  be  regarded  as  one  of  the  success- 
ful farmers  of  this  county.  A fine  view  of  his  farm  and  residence 
can  be  seen  by  reference  to  another  page  of  this  work. 

In  politics  Mr.  Conder  is  a democrat.  He  ca.st  his  first  presiden- 
tial vote  for  Lewis  Cass  in  1848,  since  which  time  he  has  been  a 
member  of  that  party.  Both  he  and  his  wife  are  members  of  the 
Christian  church,  aiid  both  by  their  walk  and  conversation  show 
the  sincerity  of  their  belief  Mr.  Conder’s  business  through  life 
has  been  that  of  a farmer  and  stock  raiser ; and  in  that  he  has  been 
more  than  ordinarily  successful.  He  started  out  in  life  unaided, 
and  whatever  he  pos.sesses  has  been  the  accumulation  of  his  toil  and 
20 


the  practice  of  economy.  lu  the  community  he  is  regarded  as  an 
honorable  and  w’orthy  man,  aud  a kind  and  obliging  neighbor. 


Major  AV.  B.  LITTLE. — (Deceased). 

Major  Little  was  born  in  Monmouth  county.  New  Jersey, 
June  19th,  1812.  He  was,  while  yet  a young  man,  engaged  in 
merchant  tailoring,  and  had  a large  establishment  in  New  York 
city.  AVhile  a resident  of  that  State  he  was  elected  Major  in  the 
State  Militia,  and  the  title  of  Major  clung  to  him  through  life. 
He  came  to  Illinois  about  1840  aud  settled  in  Alton,  where  he  fol- 
lowed tailoring.  From  there  he  went  to  Staunton,  Macoupin 
county,  where  he  engaged  in  merchandizing.  He  soon  after  pur- 
chased a farm,  and  tried  farming.  He  remained  in  the  latter  place 
until  1856,  when  he  moved  to  Pana,  where  he  continued  merchan- 
dizing until  his  death,  Avhich  took  place  July  21st  1874.  He  mar- 
ried Miss  Esther  L.  AVhite.  She  died  in  1853.  One  son,  Otis  AV. 
Little,  is  the  only  offspring  of  this  union.  On  the  17th  of  Nov., 
1870,  he  married  Emily  Rutledge.  Her  father  was  a native  of 
Northumberland,  England,  and  came  to  America  in  1837,  and  set- 
tled in  Terre  Haute,  lud.,  where  he  remained  until  his  death,  which 
occurred  March  9th,  1871.  Major  Little  was  a prominent  and 
useful  citizen  of  Pana.  He  was  Supervisor  of  the  township,  and  it 
was  while  acting  in  that  capacity  that  he  refused  to  sign  the  bonds 
issued  in  aid  of  the  Springfield  and  South  Eastern  railroad.  He 
refused  to  sign  them  on  the  general  grounds  that  their  issue  was 
illegal,  and  that  the  conditions  of  the  contract  had  not  been  com- 
plied with  on  the  part  of  the  railroad  company.  For  thus  refusing 
he  was  abused  and  maligned,  but  time  has  shown  that  he  was  right, 
and  the  mass  of  the  people  wrong.  The  bonds  have  since  been  de- 
clared illegal  and  void  by  all  the  courts,  wherein  their  legality  was 
tested.  They  burnt  him  in  effigy  and  forced  him  to  resign  his  posi- 
tion as  Supervisor  for  doing  what  he  knew  was  his  duty  to  do. 
Time,  the  great  leveller,  makes  all  things  even,  and  to  day  all  ac- 
cord him  praise  and  a2iplaud  his  honesty  and  firmness.  He  was 
also  President  of  the  Towm  Board  for  six  years.  In  his  death 
Pana  lost  an  honorable  aud  valuable  citizen. 


OTTO  GOSSMAN. 

Among  the  prominent  and  representative  German  citizens  of 
Pana,  stands  the  name  of  the  subject  of  this  sketch.  He  was  born 
in  the  Kingdom  of  Bavaria,  Germany,  May  2d,  1846.  His  father 
was  a merchant,  and  possessed  of  considerable  means,  and  he 
spared  no  pains  or  expense  to  fit  Otto  for  the  business  of  life. 
At  the  age  of  ten  years  he  entered  the  Gymnasium,  where  he  re- 
cei  ed  a thorough  training  in  the  classics  and  modern  languages, 
and  in  experimental  and  theoretical  chemistry,  botany,  and  materia 
medica.  He  remained  under  the  tuition  of  the  best  teachers 
in  that  institution  for  eight  years,  and  then  entered  the  University 
at  AYurzberg  and  Munich,  and  stayed  there  for  four  years,  and 
completed  his  studies  in  chemistry  and  pharmacy.  After  his  grad- 
uation from  the  University,  he  concluded  to  leave  his  native  land, 
and  accordingly  set  sail  for  America,  and  landed  in  New  Orleans 
on  the  1st  of  Aj)ril,  1869.  His  first  employment  was  in  a driu'- 
store  in  the  above-named  city  ; there  he  first  put  in  jiractice  his 
knowledge  obtained  in  the  best  schools  of  Europe. 

He  remained  in  New  Orleans  until  1870,  when  he  came  to  Pana, 
Christian  county,  Illinois,  and  entered  the  drug-store  of  P.  AI. 
Nichols  as  prescription  clerk.  Continued  with  Mr.  Nichols  fur 
eight  years.  In  October,  1878,  he  in  connection  with  his  brother, 
Frank  Gossman,  opened  a drug-store,  and  from  that  time  to  the 


154 


HISTORY  OF  CHRISTIAN  COUNTY,  ILLINOIS. 


present  the  firm  of  Otto  Gossman  & Bro.  is  recognized  as  one  of 
the  leading  business  houses  of  Pana. 

On  the  31st  of  March,  1875,  Mr.  Gossman  was  united  in  mar- 
riage to  Miss  Catharine  Hebei.  She  is  of  German  nativity.  Her 
parents  came  to  America  while  she  was  yet  in  her  infancy.  By 
this  marriage  there  have  been  three  children,  two  ot  whom  are  liv- 
ing, both  girls.  Their  names  are  Mary  Phillipina  and  Clara. 

In  religious  faith  Mr.  Gossman  is  a member  of  the  Catholic 

o 

Church,  while  his  estimable  wife  is  a member  of  the  German  Lu- 
theran Church. 

He  is  an  active  and  valued  member  of  the  ancient  and  honora- 
ble order  of  Freemasonry,  and  belongs  to  Pana  Lodge,  No.  226, 
and  Pana  Chapter,  No.  115,  K.  A.  M.  He  is  also  a member  of  the 
Lodge  of  I.  O.  O.  F.  He  takes  great  interest  in  the  work  of  both 
bodies. 

In  politics  Mr.  Gossman  is  an  ardent  and  stalwart  democrat. 
He  soon  after  coming  to  this  country  espoused  the  cause  and  prin- 
ciples of  that  party,  and  has  been  one  of  its  most  active  and  relia- 
ble members.  Is  of  an  enthusiastic  nature,  and  whatever  cause 
he  champions  he  gives  it  his  individual  and  best  abilities.  To  say 
that  he  is  most  soundly  indoctrinated  in  the  principles  of  his  party, 
is  to  say  that  which  is  evident  to  all  who  have  any  knowledge  or 
acquaintance  with  him.  During  the  last  great  national  canq^aign, 
none  were  more  enthusiastic,  or  gave  more  liberally  of  their  means 
or  time  to  the  advancement  of  democratic  ideas  than  he.  He  labored 
earnestly  and  actively,  that  the  principles  which  he  believed  were 
for  the  best,  should  become  the  rule  and  guide  in  this  great,  free 
and  prosperous  country. 

Such  in  brief  is  a biographical  sketch  of  Otto  Gossman.  He 
brings  to  his  business  a mind  trained  in  the  best  schools  of  Ger- 

O 

many.  Is  a man  of  very  liberal  education,  and  possessing  an 
open,  hearty,  frank  nature.  Of  plain,  unassuming  manners 
and  pleasing  address.  He  belongs  to  the  progressive  school  of 
men,  and  is  full  of  p\ish  and  enterprise.  None  will  go  further  to 
do  a kind  act,  or  to  help  a friend  than  Otto  Gossman.  At  the  pre- 
sent time  he  is  City  Trea.surer  of  Pana  He  is  regarded  by  all  as 
an  honest  and  honorable  gentleman, 

ABNER  j.  McWilliams 

Was  born  in  Belmont  county,  Oldo,  November  27th,  1823.  The 
ancestry  of  the  family  on  the  maternal  side  is  English,  and  on  tlio 
paternal  Scotch. 

Tlie  paternal  grandfather  came  from  Scotland.  His  descendants 
settled  in  Ohio  at  an  early  day  in  the  history  of  that  state,  dohn 
McWilliams,  the  father  of  Aimer  J.,  was  born  in  Ohio,  and  re- 
mainc<l  there  until  his  death  in  1824.  He  married  Elizabeth 
Smith.  She  wa.s  born  in  Loudon  county,  Virginia.  She  survived 
her  hu.'^baud  many  year.s,  and  died  at  the  home  of  her  son,  the  sub-: 
ject  of  this  sketch,  July  Ifith,  1870.  There  were  but  two  children 
in  the  family,  Abner  J.,  and  a daughter,  who  died  while  she  was 
yet  young. 


I\Irs.  McWilliams,  after  the  death  of  her  first  husband,  married 
John  Brownhull.  By  this  marriage  there  was  no  issue.  The  sub- 
ject of  this  sketch  had  but  slight  advantages  for  receiving  an  edu- 
cation. His  father  dying  while  he  was  yet  young,  he  was  compelled 
at  the  early  age  of  twelve  years  to  take  care  and  provide  to  a cer- 
tain extent  for  himself.  He  worked  at  farming,  teaming  and  flat 
boating,  and  such  other  work  as  came  readily  to  his  hand,  until  his 
nineteenth  year,  when  he  came  west  in  company  with  his  uncle  to 
Illinois,  settled  in  Pike  county,  where  he  remained  until  April  of 
1849,  when  in  company  with  three  others  he  made  a trip  in  ox- 
teams  to  Oregon  by  the  overland  route.  From  Oregon  he  went  to 
California  in  company  with  Gen.  Joe  Lane,  who  was  territorial 
governor  of  Oregon  at  that  time.  While  in  California  he  engaged 
principally  in  mining.  In  1853  he  returned  home  to  Pike  county 
by  way  of  the  Isthmus  of  Panama.  In  1854  he  purchased  one 
hundred  and  twelve  acres  of  land  in  Pike  county,  and  commenced 
farming.  He  continued  there  until  1866,  when  he  sold  out  and 
came  to  Christian  county,  and  purchased  land  in  sec.  28,  town.  12, 
range  1-E. 

It  was  raw  land,  and  all  the  improvements  have  been  placed  on 
it  since  he  bought.  A fine  view  of  the  farm  and  buildings  can  be 
seen  on  another  page  of  this  work.  Here  he  has  lived  and  culti- 
vated and  improved  the  farm  until  the  present.  On  the  7th  of 
May,  1857,  he  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Martha  W.  Fisk. 
She  was  born  in  Massachusetts,  but  w'as  a resident  of  Pike  county 
at  the  time  of  her  marriage. 

Mrs.  McWilliams’  parents,  Eleazer  and  Lucy  (Russell)  Fisk, 
came  to  Pike  county  in  1840.  Both  died  in  that  county.  Mrs. 
McWilliams  was  the  eldest  daughter.  There  have  been  four  children 
born  to  Abner  J.  and  Martha  McWilliams,  two  of  whom  are  living. 
Their  names  are  John  F.,  eldest  son,  now  a resident  of  Colorado  ; 
Henry  A.,  died  in  his  fourth  year  ; Mary  Emily,  who  is  yet  beneath 
the  parental  roof. 

Mr.  McWilliams  is  a member  of  the  ancient  and  honorable  order 
of  Freemasonry,  and  was  made  a Mason  in  Salem  Lodge,  No.  56, 
Pike  county,  Illinois.  His  wife  is  a consistent  member  of  the  M. 
E.  Church. 

In  politics  he  is  a democrat,  and  cast  his  first  vote  for  Lewis  Cass 
for  president  in  1848.  Since  that  date  he  has  adhered  to  the  party 
of  his  first  choice.  While  a resident  of  Pike  county  he  represented 
j his  township  in  the  board  of  supervisors.  Since  he  has  been  a 
resident  of  this  county  he  was  elected  justice  of  the  peace,  but  he 
j refused  to  qualify  for  the  position.  He  has  been  by  occupation  a 
farmer.  He  started  in  life  completely  unaided.  Thrown  u])on  his 
I own  resources  while  yet  a mere  boy,  and  compelled  to  earn  his  own 
j support,  he  early  learned  habits  of  industry  and  rigid  economy. 

Starting  in  life  with  his  hands  and  good  health  as  his  only  capital, 
j he  has  succeeded  in  carving  out  for  himself  a comfortable  compe- 
I tcncy,  and  at  the  .same  time  made  for  himself  a name  for  honesty 
and  strict  integrity,  which  after  all  is  the  best  legacy  to  leave 
j to  posterity. 


T 


•7 


Farm  BiS.  or  TH  OS.  H . S COTT,  Sac.  9,T.  1 1,  R.  I , E(Pana  Tp^)  Christian  Co.Jll. 


Marble  Works  of  TH  OS.  H.  SCOTT,  Pan  a.  Ill 


Ike  Llbrarjr 
of  the 

Unfwfolty  of  IllfinUe 


ROSEMOND  TOWNSHIP. 


HIS  town.sliip  is  situated  in  the  south-eastern  part  of  the 
county,  and  is  knowu  geographically  as  Town  11  N., 
Range  1 West.  It  is  hounded  on  the  north  by  Locust, 
and  on  the  east  by  Pana  township ; on  the  south  by 
Montgomery  county,  and  on  the  west  by  Greenwood  township. 

The  surface  is  a beautiful,  undulating  prairie,  Avith  scattering 
patches  of  timber,  which  are  principally  along  the  streams.  For- 
merly there  was  considerable  timbered  land  in  the  northern  ]>art 
along  Locust  and  Cottonwood  creeks.  The  soil  is  like  that  of  ad- 
joining townships,  a rich,  deep,  black  loam,  and  highly  produc- 
tive. 

It  is  drained  by  several  small  tributaries  of  the  South  Fork  of 
the  Sangamon  river,  Avhich  courses  through  the  south-western 
j)art  of  the  township.  The  principal  tributaries  are  the  Locust  and 
Cottonwood  creeks,  in  the  northern  part. 

The  Indianapolis  & St.  Louis  railroad  enters  the  township  on 
section  thirty-three,  and  passes  out  on  section  twenty-four,  running 
in  a south-westerly  direction  through  the  south-east  part- 

For  many  years,  one  or  two  families  lived  in  the  south-east  cor- 
ner of  this  township,  but  the  great  body  of  it  was  unsettled  and 
remained  in  its  wild  native  state  till  the  year  1855.  It  then  at- 
tracted the  attention  of  some  eastern  men,  and  soon  the  beautiful 
prairie  was  dotted  over  by  the  neat  residenc  s of  a New  England 
colony.  The  principal  movers  in  this  enterprise  were  Benjamin 
R.  Hawley  and  Brainard  Smith.  These  gentlemen  purchased  iu 
Feb.  1856,  a tract  of  land  embracing  about  5,000  acres  lying  in 
a body ; one  thousand  of  which  was  timbered.  These  lands  were 
sold  to  the  colonists,  who  soon  improved  and  c iltivated  them.  A 
striking  feature  in  this  tract  was  the  large  number  of  mounds, 
which  were  situated  on  nearly  or  quite  every  quarter  section,  com- 
manding beautiful  sites  for  building.  During  the  spring  and  sum- 
mer, these  mounds  were  covered  with  beautiful  roses  and  wild 
flowers;  hence  the  name  Rosemond  was  suggested  and  chosen  for 
the  township. 

The  first  settlement  of  Rosemond  began  Jan.  14,  1850,  by  Benj. 
R Hawley,  from  St-  Louis,  Mo.;  Brainard  Smith,  from  Sunderland, 
Mass.  ; Benj.  E.  Warner  and  John  Putnam,  from  Hinsdale,  INIass  ; 
Orlando  M.  Hawks,  from  ]\Iass.,and  John  S.  Marvin, from  Fishkill, 
N.  Y.  These  six  men  came  first,  and  soon  erected  as  many  dwelling- 
houses,  and  at  an  early  day  were  joined  by  their  families.  They 
were  soon  followed  by  other  emigrants  from  IMassachusetts  and  New 
York.  These  first  families  brought  with  them  the  clreering  cote- 
monies  of  a pure  religion,  and  on  the  first  Sabbath  after  their  ar- 
rival a meeting  for  prayer  and  religious  worship  was  held,  thus 
laying  the  foundation  of  the  settlement  in  the  fear  of  God. 

The  settlement  known  as  “Bell’s  Grove,”  Avas  named  by  John 
Bell,  Avho  settled  there  in  1836.  It  Avas  included  Avithin  the  limits 
of  “Stone  Coal  Precinct,”  in  1845.  James  Waddle  and  John 


CroAv  came  to  the  Grove  in  1842,  and  William  Reed  and  Jonathan 
Blackburn  came  at  a later  date,  probably  in  1844.  “ Bell's  GroA'e  ” 
Avas  in  Town  11  N.  R.  1 W.  (Rosemond),  and  the  above  named 
persons  were  pro2Aerly  the  first  settlers  in  Rosemond  township. 

Wm.  A.  Chase  Avas  also  an  early  settler,  and  Avas  noted  for 
being  largely  engaged  in  fruit  groAviug.  He  Avas  a native  of  Mass., 
and  came  to  Illinois  in  1842,  and  settled  in  Rosemond  toAvnship  in 
June,  1857. 

We  give  a list  of  the  first  land  entries,  Avhich  appear  upon  the 
records : Feb.  3,  1836,  J.  Black  and  J.  T.  B.  Stapp,  entered  the  E. 
half  of  S.  E.  quarter.  Sec.  24,  80  acres,  also  E.  half  N.  E.  quarter. 
Sec.  25,  80  acres ; W.  half  N.  E.  quarter.  Sec.  25,  80  acres,  and  E. 
half  of  S.  E.  quarter.  Sec.  25,  80  acres.  Feb.  5,  1836,  J.  S.  Hayward 
and  C.  Holmes,  the  W.  half  of  S.  E.  quarter,  section  24,  80  acres; 
N.  W.  quarter,  section  25,  160  acres ; S.  W.  quarter,  section  25, 
160  acres;  W.  half  S.  E.  quarter,  section  25,  80  acres.  January  9, 
1851,  John  EA'ans,  entered  lot  2,  in  N.  E.  quarter,  section  2,  78  68- 
100  acres;  also  lot  1,  N.  E.  quarter,  section  2,  80  acres;  lot  2,  N. 
W.  quarter,  section  2,  80  60-100  acres ; lot  1,  N.  W.  quarter,  sec- 
tion 2,  80  acres ; lot  2,  N.  E.  quarter,  section  3,  82  28-100  acres  ; 
lot  1,  N.  E.  quarter,  section  3,  80  acres. 

During  the  first  years  of  the  settlement,  they  culti\'ated  their  . 
farms  Avithout  enclosing  them  Avith  fences,  as  fencing  materials 
Avere  not  easily  gotten,  and  hedge  Avould  not  groAV  large  enough  in  so 
short  a time.  Hence  a stock  law  for  this  township  was  passed  by 
the  state  legislature  in  Feb.  1857,  compelling  the  inhabitants  to 
keep  up  their  stock.  It  caused  considerable  ill-feeling  and  conten- 
tion, but  served  a good  purpose  by  advancing  the  cultivation  and 
improvements  of  this  townshij),  Avhile  the  adjoining  ones  remained 
longer  in  their  original  state. 

The  first  marriage  in  this  township  Avas  John  L.  Marvin  to  Miss 
Minnie  HaAvley,  by  Rev.  R.  M.  Roberts. 

The  first  death  AA'as  probably  that  of  Silas  Clapp,  Avho  died  May 
20.  1857,  aged  54  years. 

The  first  religious  meeting  Avas  held  at  the  house  of  John  Putnam, 
in  the  early  jmrt  of  1856,  soon  after  the  arrival  of  the  Nbav  England 
colony.  In  the  spring  of  1856,  a Sabbath-school  Avas  organized, 
numbering  twenty-five  scholars.  The  children  A\’ere  classed,  and 
the  adults  formed  a Bible  class.  O.  M.  Hawks  Avas  the  first  super- 
intendent. In  the  religious  meeting  the  male  members  took  their 
turns  in  conducting  the  exercises.  During  the  first  summer,  the 
Rev.  Joseph  Gordon,  of  Vandalia,  Avas  the  first  to  raise  the  standard 
of  Christianity  and  preach  the  Gospel  to  the  ncAV  settlement.  He 
came  once  in  four  Aveeks,  Avhich  Avith  Re\'.  TimotliA'  Hill  and  Rca’. 
Thos.  Holmes,  preaching  on  alternate  Sundays,  Avas  all  the  clerical 
services  previous  to  the  organization  of  a church. 

On  the  7th  day  of  September,  1856,  a congregational  church  was 
organized  by  Rev.  A.  T.  Norton,  Avho  officiated  as  moderator,  and 

155 


156 


HISTORY  OF  CHRISTIAN  COUNTY,  ILLINOIS. 


B R.  Hawley  as  clerk.  The  whole  number  of  members  uniting  was 
twenty-two. 

Rev.  Wm.  C.  Merritt  was  the  first  pastor. 

The  Congregational  Church  was  erected  in  Rosemond  in  1^67. 

The  3Iethodist  Church  was  organized  at  a later  date,  and  they 
erected  their  church  in  Rosemond,  in  the  year  1868. 

Schools  were  established  at  an  early  date.  The  first  school-house 
was  erected  in  1858,  and  was  also  used  for  a long  time  for  church 
purposes. 

The  Sherman  school-house  was  built  in  1864,  and  is  located 
one  mile  south  of  the  Buckeye  church. 

The  Grant  school-house  was  built  on  Section  17,  in  1869. 

'I'he  county  poor  farm  is  located  on  section  3 of  this  township, 
on  land  purchased  of  J.  W.  and  Thornton  Hunter,  in  1869.  The 
poor-house  was  erected  in  the  summer  and  fall  of  1870,  and  later 
a brick  lock-up  for  the  insane  and  unruly  paupers. 

The  following  is  a list  of  officers  since  township  organization : 

Superviiors. — M.  Simpson,  elected  1866 ; W.  A Schemerhon, 
1867,  re-elected  1868;  M.  R.  Simpson,  1869,  re-elected  1870;  Rob- 
ert Little,  1871;  L.  Parsons,  1872,  re-elected  1873, ’74  and  ’75; 
Jos.  Gindin,  1876;  J.  W.  McElroy,  1877,  re-elected  1878  and  ’79; 
Thomas  Bonnel,  elected  1880. 

Assessors. — John  A.  McElroy,  1876;  C.  G.  Richards,  1877,  and 
re-elected  1878,  ’79  and  '80. 

Collectors. — T.  L.  Hartup,  elected  1866  ; Henry  IM.  Graham, 
1867;  and  by  re-election  held  the  office  to  1876;  P.  L.  Dodge, 
1876;  and  by  re-election  has  held  the  office  ever  since. 

Town  Clerks. — Clias.  W.  Hill,  elected  1867,  and  re-elected  each 
succeeding  year  up  to  1879  ; A Guthrie,  1880. 

Commissioners  of  llighwaxjs.  — R.  J.  McAfee,  1876;  Henry 
Bess,  1877  ; J.  Kendall,  1878;  Wm.  Nicholson,  1879;  I.  N.  Por- 
ter, 1880. 

Constables, — John  F.  Warner  and  Ira  Kimball,  elected  in  1877. 


Justice  of  the  Peace — Joseph  Ro.senberry,  elected  1870;  L Par- 
sons, 1870;  Joshua  Pepper  and  Joseph  Rosenberry,  1873;  Henry 
M.  Grayham  and  Joseph  Rosenberry,  1877 ; L.  Parsons,  1879. 

THE  TOWN  OF  ROSEMOND 

Is  located  in  the  south-east  corner  of  section  23.  It  Avas  first 
only  a railroad  station. 

The  town  was  first  surveyed  and  platted  Oct.  25th,  1860,  by  C. 
A.  Manners,  for  B.  R.  Hawley  and  Phordice  Boutwell,  the  original 
jrroprietors.  There  Avas  left  a lot  for  a public  square  and  one  for  a 
public  school  building. 

The  toAvn  is  beautifully  situated  on  an  elevated  tract,  command- 
ing a A^ery  good  view  of  the  surrounding  country.  It  is  (|uite  a 
grain  shipping  point,  and  at  one  time  there  Avas  a good  flouring 
mill.  The  mill  is  yet  standing,  but  is  in  a rather  dilapidated  con- 
dition. 

There  are  two  neat  and  comfortable  churches,  viz:  The  Metho- 
dist and  the  Congregational.  There  is  also  a good  public  school 
building,  and  a number  of  nice  residences. 

Below  is  a list  of  the  business  houses. 

ELEVATORS. 

The  Haywood  elevator  Avas  erected  by  S.  M.  Haywood  & Son,  in 
1875,  and  is  now  OAvned  and  operated  by  C.  D.  Haywood.  It  is 
constructed  for  handling  all  kinds  of  grain,  Avith  a capacity  of 
16  000  bushels. 

W.  W.  Powell  erected  an  elevator  in  1879,  Avith  a capacity  of 
15,000  bushels,  Avhich  is  con-structed  on  the  most  improved  plan, 
and  said  to  be  the  best  in  operation  in  the  county. 

General  Store. — Louis  Guth. 

Physicians. — G.  M.  Walker,  F.  Fisher,  R.  S.  Simpson. 

Blacksmith. — Matt.  Hilger. 

Wayoxi  Maker. — AVilliam  Christner. 

Boot  and  Shoe  Maker. — John  B.  Frost. 


BlOCLRAnilCAL  SKETCHES. 


JEREMIAH  II.  MURRV. 

Mu.  Murry’s  ancestors  Averc  of  Welsh  dcscenti  Three  brothers, 
Henry,  Charles  and  .John  Murry,  emigrated  from  Wales  to  America 
in  the  year  1773;  of  these,  John  Murry  Avas  the  grandfather  of  the 
subject  of  this  sketch.  IlcAvas  eighteen  years  old  on  coming  to 
America,  lie  served  five  years  in  the  RcA'olutionary  Avar,  and 
among  the  battles  in  which  he  took  j)art  Avas  that  of  Bunker  Hill. 
In  common  Avith  the  soldiers  of  the  American  army,  he  Wivs  com- 
pelled to  umlcrgo  considerable  privation  and  hardship,  anil  among 
othiT  incidents  related  of  him  it  is  said  that  on  one  of  the  forced 
marches  which  the  enemy  made,  he  lost  his  shoes  in  a SAvamp, 
and  for  a whole  week  iiftcrward  stood  guard  and  performed  his 
duties  as  a .soldier  in  his  bare  feet.  After  the  Revolution,  .John 
Murry  .settled  in  Wa.shington  county,  Maryland,  and  married  Eliza- 
beth Bostettcr.  .Jacob  Murry  Avas  the  name  of  Mr.  .Murry’s  father. 
He  was  born  in  Washington  county,  Maryland,  near  Hagerstown, 


December  1st,  1784.  When  a young  man,  he  Avciit  to  Franklin 
county,  Pennsylvania,  and  married  Catharine  Hallman.  .Jacob  and 
(.Catharine  Murry  Avere  the  parents  of  fourteen  children,  all  of  whom 
grew  to  be  men  and  Avomen,  married  and  had  families.  Jacob 
Murray,  in  1837,  moved  to  Tu.scarawas  county,  Ohio.  He  died  in 
Seneca  county,  Ohio,  February  16th,  1864,  and  his  remains  now 
repose  at  Fort  Seneca,  Ohio,  on  the  old  battle  ground,  the  scene  of 
Gen.  Harri-son’s  engagement  Avith  the  Indians.  His  wife,  Catharine 
Murry,  Avas  born  in  the  year  1792,  and  is  still  living  in  Seneca 
county,  Ohio,  at  the  advanced  age  of  eighty-eight  years. 

.Jeremiah  II.  blurry  Avas  born  in  Franklin  county,  Pennsylvania, 
March  8th,  1813.  J’ree  .schools  had  in  his  boyhood  not  yet  been 
established,  and  but  little  attention  was  paid  to  education.  He  Avas 
the  oldest  of  the  family,  and  as  soon  as  he  Avas  large  enough,  Avas 
obliged  to  helj)  Avith  the  work  on  the  farm.  Conscipiently,  he  at- 
tended school  not  more  than  three  months  altogether,  and  for  his 


EMERY  FARM",  The  R ESi  den  ce  of  N . B . CHALFAN  T,  Fa  rm  er  8r  Stock  Rai  ser,  Sec.30,  T.  I /,  H.I.  E.{Pana.Tp.)  ChristianCo.I  ll 


Ltbrny 

•f  tht 


157 


HISTORY  OF  CHRISTIAN  COUNTY,  ILLINOIS. 


education  he  is  indebted  mostly  to  his  own  eflToi’ts.  On  the  11th  of 
May,  1833,  he  married  Ann  C.  Wolfkill,  who  was  born  in  Adams 
county,  Pennsylvania,  near  Gettysburg,  on  the  15th  of  June,  1812. 
Her  great-grandfather  on  her  father’s  side  came  from  Wales,  set- 
tled ill  Pennsylvania,  took  part  in  the  Indian  wars  before  the 
Revolution,  and  was  killed  by  the  Indians,  at  Fort  Littleton,  in 
Huntingdon  county,  Pennsylvania.  Her  grandfather  was  Peter 
AVolfkill.  Her  father,  Henry  Wolfkill,  was  a farmer  in  Adams 
County,  Pennsylvania,  and  married  Elizabeth  Guidtner,  daughter 
of  John  Samuel  Guidtner,  who  was  pressed  into  service  as  a tailor 
during  the  Revolution,  lived  to  be  nearly  ninety-three,  and  died  in 
Franklin  county.  Her  father,  Henry  Wolfkill,  was  drafted  into 
the  United  States  service  during  the  last  war  with  Great  Britain. 
He  was  a man  of  more  than  usually  good  musical  talents,  and 
belonged  to  one  of  the  regimental  bands.  He  accompanied  the 
army  to  Black  Rock,  as  it  was  then  called,  now  the  city  of  Buffalo. 
Through  exposure,  (the  soldiers  being  compelled  to  sleep  on  rushes 
at  night  to  keep  themselves  out  of  the  water)  he  was  taken  with  a 
fever,  which  occasioned  his  death.  Mrs.  Murry  still  has  in  her 
possession  the  old  original  fife,  whose  piercing  music  enlivened  the 
inarch  of  the  American  soldiers  in  their  campaigns  against  the 
British.  Mr.  Murry  was  farming  in  Franklin  county,  Pennsylvania, 
till  1837,  and  then  moved  to  Tuscarawas  county,  Ohio.  There  he 
became  the  owner  of  eighty  acres  of  land.  In  1856  he  came  to 
Illinois,  and  on  the  first  day  of  September  of  that  year  settled  where 
he  now  lives,  on  section  6 of  Rosemond  township. 

The  prairie  on  which  he  settled  is  called  the  Buckeye  prairie, 
from  the  fact  that  it  was  settled  mostly  by  Ohio  people.  In  the 
fall  of  1856,  between  his  house  and  Pana,  not  a furrow  had  been 
drawn  nor  a house  built.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Murry  have  had  ten 
children.  The  names  of  those  living  are  as  follows  : John  R.  Mur- 
ry, now  farming  in  McPherson  county,  Kansas ; Ann  Elizabeth, 
now  Mrs.  D.  F.  Stockbridge,  of  Springfield ; Catherine  Rebecca, 
wife  of  D.  S.  Wolfkill,  of  Waverly,  Morgan  county  ; Joanna  S.,  wife 
of  Z.  F.  Bates,  of  Locust  township ; and  D.  F.  Murry,  who  is  now 
practicing  law  at  Morrisonville.  Five  are  deceased — Cynthia  Isa- 
belle died  at  the  age  of  four  years  and  four  months,  in  Stark  county, 
Ohio ; Sarah  Alice  died  at  the  age  of  nearly  seven  ; Rosa,  at  the 
age  of  three  years  and  two  months  ; Aramintha  F.  Avas  nearly  seven 
years  old  at  the  time  of  her  death.  Jacob  W.  IMurry,  the  fourth 
child,  was  a young  man  of  unusual  talents.  In  his  eighteenth  year 
he  entered  Wittenberg  College,  Ohio,  in  which  he  was  a student  for 
a year;  he  taught  school  several  years  in  this  county,  and  intended 
to  continue  his  collegiate  studies  and  enter  the  ministry.  His 
career  was,  however,  unfortunately  cut  short,  April  6th,  1860,  by 
typhoid  fever. 

In  his  political  principles,  IMr.  Murry  has  always  been  a demo- 
crat. His  first  vote  for  president  was  cast  for  Gen.  Jackson.  Both 
he  and  his  wife  adhere  in  their  theological  belief  to  the  Lutheran 
denomination,  and  Mrs.  Murry,  from  girlhood,  has  been  a subscriber 
and  reader  of  the  Lutheran  Observer,  the  old  organ  of  the  Luthe- 
ran denomination. 


JOSEPH  W.  McELROY 

Was  born  in  Harrison  county,  Ohio,  on  the  1st  of  August,  1839. 
His  ancestors  on  his  father’s  side  were  of  Scotch-Irish  descent.  His 
father,  Robert  McElroy,  Avas  born  in  Pennsylvania,  and  at  an  early 
day  became  a resident  of  Ohio.  He  married  Mary  McFadden,  Avho 
Avas  born  and  raised  in  Ohio,  and  Avhosc  father  Avas  one  of  the  early 
settlers  of  that  state.  By  this  marriage  there  Avere  ten  children,  of 
Avhom  Joseph  W.  McElroy  AA'as  the  younge.«t.  In  the  spring  of 
1840,  Avhen  the  subject  of  this  sketch  Avas  about  eight  months  of 


I age,  his  father  moved  Avith  the  family  to  Illinois  and  settled  in  Pike 
I county.  In  that  part  of  the  state  Mr.  McElroy  A\'as  raised.  His 
father  died  Avhen  he  Avas  betAveen  eleven  and  tAvelve  years  old.  The 
j neighborhood  Avhere  the  family  resided  Avas  thinly  settled,  and  the 
schools  offered  inferior  advantages  in  the  AA’ay  of  obtaining  an  edu- 
I cation.  Most  of  his  knoAvledge  Avas  obtained  by  his  OAvn  efforts. 
He  liA'ed  at  home  till  his  mariiage,  Avhich  occurred  on  the  16th  of 
February,  1860,  to  Miss  Emma  Pence,  a nati\"e  of  Preble  county, 
Ohio,  but  Avho  Avas  liAung  in  Pike  county  in  this  state  at  the  time  of 
her  marriage. 

In  the  spring  of  1860  he  moved  to  Morgan  county,  Avhere  he  Avas 
engaged  in  farming  till  1862,  Avhen  he  came  to  this  county,  and  first 
rented  land  in  Rosemond  tOAvnship,  and  in  1864  purchased  80  acres 
( in  section  18,  on  Avhich  he  has  since  resided.  He  is  noAV  the  oAvner 
of  200  acres,  part  of  Avhich  lies  in  GreeiiAvood  tOAvnship.  He  has 
had  seven  children,  of  Avhom  four  ( William,  Alice,  IMinnie,  and 
Charles)  are  noAv  living.  He  is  one  of  the  representative  citizens 
of  Locust  toAvnship 

! He  Avas  originally  a republican,  and  his  first  A’ote  for  President 
Avas  cast  for  Lincoln  in  1860.  The  last  feAV  years  he  has  occupied 
an  independent  position  in  politics,  adhering  to  the  aucavs  commonly 
maintained  by  the  national  greenback  organization.  He  is  opposed 
to  monopolies  in  every  shape,  and  in  fa\mr  of  relief  from  the  ojipres- 
sive  influences  Avhich  the  money-poAver  and  gigantic  corporations 
I exert  over  the  body  of  the  people. 

He  Avas  chosen  a member  of  the  Board  of  Supervisors  from  Rosc- 
i mond  toAvnship  in  1873,  ’74  and  ’75.  He  has  also  acted  as  Toavii- 
shi})  Trustee. 


I LOUIS  GUTH. 

Tins  gentleman,  Avho  is  at  present  engaged  in  the  drug  business 
at  Rosemond,  became  a resident  of  this  county  in  1859.  He  Avas 
born  near  the  village  of  Ehrlbach,  in  Alsace,  on  the  25th  of  Sept., 
1831.  Alsace  at  that  time  Avas  a part  of  France,  and  so  he  Avas 
born  a French  subject,  though  since  the  Franco-Prussiau  Avar  of 
I 1870  it  has  been  annexed  to  Germany.  His  parents’  names  Avere 
; Francis  Guth  and  Lena  Fluck;  his  mother  died  in  1839  Avhen  he 
Avas  about  eight  years  of  age,  and  his  father  married  a second  time. 
Of  the  five  children  by  his  father’s  first  marriage,  Mr.  Guth  is  the 
only  one  noAV  living. 

' The  year  1842  marked  the  emigration  of  the  family  from  Ger- 
many to  America.  They  settled  in  La  Salle  county,  in  this  state, 
Avhere  Mr.  Guth  spent  his  boyhood.  He  never  attended  school  after 
coming  to  this  country  ; the  only  schooling  he  received  Avas  in  Ger- 
! many.  La  Salle  county  Avas  at  that  time  a ncAV  county,  and  in  the 
district  in  Avhich  he  lived  no  school  had  yet  been  established.  In 
1850,  Avhen  nineteen,  he  Avent  to  Millington  in  Kendall  county,  and 
began  learning  the  trade  of  a Avagon-maker.  After  learning  this 
trade  he  Avorked  at  it  in  the  tOAvn  of  IMillington  till  1859. 

! AVhile  living  there  he  married  Caroline  Krebs,  Avho  Avas  born  in 
Baden,  Germany,  on  the  22d  of  January,  1836.  Her  fiither  Avas 
Hirouimus  Krebs,  and  her  mother’s  name  before  marriage  Benedicte 
Bayer.  Mr.  Krebs  emigrated  Avith  the  family  to  America  in  1848, 
and  after  living  one  year  in  Erie,  PennsylAUiuia,  came  to  Newark, 
Kendall  county,  in  this  state,  in  1849,  and  from  there  moved  to 
IMillington.  Her  father  Avas  a cabinet-maker. 

In  1859  Mr.  Guth  came  to  Rosemond,  and  established  himself  at 
his  trade  of  a Avagon-maker. 

At  the  beginning  of  the  Avar  of  the  rebellion  he  AA’as  living  at 
Rosemond,  and  on  the  13th  of  July,  1861 , he  enlisted  for  three 
years  in  Company  M,  3d  Illinois  cavalry.  Mustering  in  at 
1 Camp  Butler  at  Springfield,  his  regiment  Avas  sent  thence  to  Mis- 


158 


HISTORY  OF  CHRISTIAN  COUNTY,  ILLINOIS. 


souri,  aud  from  that  state  moved  down  into  Arkansas.  The  first 
battle  in  which  he  took  part  was  that  of  Pea  Ridge.  After  that  en- 
gagement his  regiment  was  in  camp  for  a time  in  south-western  Mis- 
souri, and  then  proceeded  to  Batesville,  Ark.,  where  he  Avas  stationed 
from  May  to  July,  1862.  From  Batesville  he  Avas  ordered  to 
Helena,  Arkansas,  Avhere  he  Avas  seized  Avith  a serious  attack  of  the 
luns  fever.  So  critical  Avas  his  condition  that  he  Avas  remoA’ed  to 
the  hospital,  and  after  laying  there  four  Aveeks  he  Avas  discharged 
from  the  service,  by  reason  of  disability,  on  the  29th  of  Oct.,  1862. 
He  returned  to  Roseraond,  and  gradually  regaining  his  health  he 
re-enlisted  in  February,  1864,  and  rejoined  his  old  company  and 
regiment,  at  Memphis,  Tennessee.  He  subsequently  served  in  Ten- 
nessee, Kentucky,  aud  IMississippi,  and  took  part  in  the  battle  of 
Tupelo.  In  the  summer  of  1864  his  regiment  Avas  sent  to  Ken- 
tucky, aud  at  Paducah  embarked  on  a boat  for  Nashville,  at  Avhich 
place  the  force  arrived  just  as  the  battle  of  Nashville  was  over.  At 
the  close  of  the  Avar  he  Avas  in  IMississippi.  The  Avar  department 
determined  to  send  the  3d  Illinois  cavalry  against  the  Indians,  Avho 
at  that  time  Avere  troublesome  on  the  frontiers  of  Minnesota.  From 
Ht.  Louis  the  regiment  Aventby  boat  up  the  Mississippi  to  Minnesota, 
and  on  the  4th  of  July,  1865,  left  Fort  Snelling  in  pursuit  of  the 
saA’ages.  The  campaign  extended  as  far  Avest  as  Fort  Berthold  on 
the  Missouri  river,  and  north  Avithin  thirty  miles  of  the  British  line. 
Returning  to  Fort  Snelling  he  received  his  discharge  in  October, 
1865. 

He  came  back  to  Rosemond  and  resumed  Avork  at  his  trade,  but 
found  that  his  health  had  become  so  impaired  that  it  Avas  difficult 
to  Avithstand  the  labor  required.  Accordingly  in  1869  he  disposed 
of  his  Avagon  making  busines.®,  and  moA'ed  on  a farm  Avithin  a mile 
of  Ro.‘<emond.  In  1873  he  returned  to  the  town  of  Rosemond,  and 
engaged  in  the  business  of  buying  grain.  In  1875,  in  partner- 
.<-hip  Avith  Charles  Dunsford,  he  began  the  drug  business.  Since 
Mr.  Du  nsford’s  death  in  1877  he  has  carried  on  the  drug  busine.ss 
by  himself. 

He  has  ahvays  been  a stanch  and  steadfast  member  of  the  rc[)ub- 
lican  j)arty,  and  has  been  connected  Avith  it  from  its  earliest  organiza- 
tion ; his  first  vote  for  President  Avas  cast  in  1856  for  Gen.  Fremont, 
the  first  candidate  for  the  Presidency  pre.sented  by  the  rcpub^cans. 

Mr.  Guth  is  a man  of  (juiet  and  reserved  disposition,  and  a good 
citizen.  For  the  game  of  chc.ss,  one  of  his  chief  sources  of  recrea- 
tion, he  po.s.se.«.scs  great  fondness. 


LFMFEL  PARSONS 

Was  born  in  Berk.shire  county,  Mas.sachusctt.s,  December  5th,  1825. 
Hi.s  father,  Lemuel  Parsons,  and  his  mother,  Achsah  Richards, 
Avere  both  natives  of  Berkshire  county.  The  subject  of  this  sketch 
Avas  the  youngest  of  nine  children.  His  education  Avas  obtained 
j)rincipally  at  the  Westfield  Normal  School.  Jxaving  home  at  the 
age  of  tAventy,  he  took  charge  of  a school  at  Green  river,  Columbia 
county,  NeAV  York.  For  several  years  afterwards  he  Avas  engaged 
in  teaching  in  the  States  of  NeAV  York,  Ma.«sachu.‘<etts  and  Con- 
necticut, the  most  of  the  time  in  Connecticut.  In  1854,  he  Avent  to 
Ijrandon,  Missi.«sii>])i,  as  professor  of  malhetnalies  in  the  Brandon 
High  School.  In  1855,  he  became  associate  principal  of  the  Baton 
Rouge  (kdlegiate  Institute,  a large  and  flourishing  school  for  hoys 
at  Baton  Rouge,  Louisiana.  He  kept  that  position  till  the  break- 
in"  out  of  the  Avar  of  the  rebellion  occasioned  his  removal  to  the 

O 

north.  A sister  had  .settled  at  Ro.sem  )iid,  Avhile  visiting  Avhom  in 
1858  he  hatl  purchased  a tract  of  land  aaIhcIi  forms  j)art  of  his 
present  farm.  lie  came  to  Rosemond  in  the,  summer  of  18(il,  and 
has  since  been  engaged  in  farming.  During  the  Avar  he  av.ms  enroll- 


ing officer  for  Rosemond  toAvnship.  From  1865  to  1 874,  he  was 
Justice  of  the  Peace,  and  was  again  elected  to  that  office  in  May, 
1879.  From  1870  to  1877,  he  represented  Rosemond  toAvnship  on 
the  Board  of  Supervisors.  Since  his  residence  at  Rosemond  he  has 
been  connected  Avith  the  Congregational  Church,  and  is  a member 
of  the  Board  of  Trustees  and  Superintendent  of  its  Sunday-school. 
He  Avas  first  a whig  in  politics  and  afterAvard  a republican.  His 
Avife,  Mary  Ellen  Moxley,  a natiA'e  of  Ncav  London,  Connecticut. 
Avhora  he  married  at  Groton,  Connecticut,  on  the  1st  of  September, 
1857,  died  on  the  26th  of  January,  1880. 


ROBERT  S.  EWING. 

Like  many  of  the  residents  of  Rosemond,  IMr.  Eiving  hails  from 
the  good  old  State  of  Ohio.  His  ancestors  on  his  father’s  side 
formerly  lived  on  a farm  Avhich  pa.ssed  the  boundary  line  betAveen 
Maryland  and  Pennsylvania.  The  dAvelling  house  AA’as  in  Pennsyl- 
vania, and  the  spring  close  by  in  Maryland.  Alexander  Ewing, 
the  father  of  Robert  S.  Ewing,  Avas  born  in  Penn.sylvania,  and  in 
that  state  married  Susan  A.  Hutton.  This  marriage  took  place 
about  the  year  1815.  In  the  year  1819,  he  moved  out  to  Ohio,  and 
settled  in  a part  ( f the  state  Avhich  Avas  then  Avild  and  thinly  in- 
habited. He  made  a farm  in  the  heavy  timber.  This  farm  was  in 
Jefi’erson  county,  on  the  line  between  Jefferson  and  Harrison.  The 
pike  road  betAveen  Steubenville  and  Cadiz  ran  past  the  place,  aud 
it  Avas  not  sixteen  miles  from  Steubenville.  Oa  this  farm,  on  the 
7th  day  of  August,  1834,  Avas  born  Robert  S.  Eiving.  After  living 
thirty-tAvo  years  on  the  same  place,  in  1851,  his  father  moved  Avest- 
Avard,  and  found  a home  in  Pike  county,  in  this  state,  nine  miles 
north  of  Pittsfield,  Avhere  he  became  the  OAvner  of  a large  and  valu- 
able farm,  and  Avhere  he  died  on  the  9th  of  IMay,  1865,  at  the  age 
of  nearly  seventy  se\^en.  Mr.  EAving’s  mother  died  in  Pike  county, 
in  the  early  part  of  the  year  1873,  at  the  age  of  about  sev'enty-tAvo. 

He  Avas  the  eleventh  of  a family  of  sixteen  children,  composed  of 
seven  brothers  and  nine  sisters,  all  of  Avhom  grcAv  to  manhood  and 
Avomanhood.  The  first  seventeen  years  of  his  life  Avere  spent  in 
Ohio.  He  Avorked  on  the  farm  in  the  summer  and  attended  school 
in  the  Aviuter  till  he  Avas  sixteen.  After  coming  to  this  state  in  1851, 
he  had  his  home  Avith  his  father  till  his  marriage,  Avhich  took  place 
on  the  21st  of  March,  1861. 

The  maiden  name  of  his  Avife  Avas  Caroline  Simpson,  daughter  of 
James  Simpson  and  Mary  Noble.  Her  grandfather,  John  Simpson, 
emigrated  from  Huntingdon  county,  Pennsylvania,  to  Harrison 
county,  Ohio,  Avhere  he  Avas  one  of  the  j)ionecr  settlers.  Her  father 
Avas  born  in  Harrison  county,  Ohio,  in  the  same  house  in  Avhich  his 
daughter,  Mrs.  EAving,  Avas  subsequently  born.  Her  mother,  IMary 
Noble,  Avas  born  in  Ireland,  and  came  to  America  Avhen  a small 
child  in  the  year  1822.  IMrs.  EAving’s  parents  are  noAV  living  at 
Rosemond. 

After  his  marriage,  Mr.  IRving  lived  for  a couple  of  years  on  a 
farm  adjoining  the  old  homestead,  and  then  moved  hack  to  his 
father's  old  farm  on  Avhich  he  lived  till  he  left  Ihkc  county.  In 
1868,  he  came  to  this  county,  and  bought  three  hundred  and 
tAventy  acres  of  land  in  section  eleven  of  Ro.scmond  toAvnshij).  This 
Avas  raAV  ju'airic  land  Avithout  improvements.  Forty  acres  had  been 
broken  and  put  in  Avheat,  but  this  Avas  the  only  attemiit  Avhich  had 
been  made  toAvard  putting  it  in  cultivation.  In  the  summer  of  1868, 
he  built  his  pre.sent  residence,  into  Avhich  he  moved  the  folloAving 
iSeptember.  He  devoted  his  attention  to  the  cultivation  and  im- 
])rovemcnt  of  his  farm,  ami  is  iioav  the  oAvner  of  a fine  and  valuable 
tract  ofland.  In  1875,  he  and  his  Avife  paid  a visit  to  Kansas,  and 
their  health  becoming  somcAvliat  imj)aired,  Mr.  EAving,  in  1876, 


Residence  & Stock  Farm  of  R S. EWING,  Sec.  II,  T II,  R.l,  IV,  Rosemond  T P.  Christian  Co, III. 


fl£S/C£MfS  f«u.r  feSM  orWy,.A.CHASC,  StC.lSJ.II,  R.UL  ffOS£«(0~oTP  CHH:^u.,„CahL. 


TM  Ubrtfl 


I 


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HISTORY  OF  CHRISTIAN  COUNTY,  ILLINOIS. 


159 


leased  liis  farm  for  three  years  with  tlic  purpose  of  residing  in  Kan- 
sas during  that  time,  there  recovering  the  health  of  himself  and 
wife,  and  then  returning  to  Illinois.  Accordingly  he  bought  eighty 
acres  of  land  in  Harvey  county,  Kansas,  on  which  he  erected  a 
dwelling-house  and  other  improvements,  but  having  some  difficulty 
with  the  lease  of  his  farm  in  this  county,  he  returned  to  Illinois  in 
March,  1877,  and  has  since  been  living  on  his  farm  in  Rosemond 
township. 

He  is  one  of  the  substantial  and  representative  formers  of  this 
part  of  the  county.  He  has  been  industrious  and  energetic  as  far  as 
permitted  by  ill  health,  from  which  he  has  suffered  to  some  extent 
for  several  years.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Ewing  have  had  eight  children, 
whose  names  are  as  follows : Maggie  A.,  Benjamin  S.,  Emma  E., 
Carrie  J.,  James  G.,  Robert  E.,  John  M.  and  Jacob  H.  The  oldest 
daughter,  Maggie  A.,  was  born  in  1862.  AVhen  seven  years  of  age 
she  was  taken  with  a disea.se  of  the  spine,  from  which  she  suffered 
for  several  years,  and  from  which  she  died  on  the  28th  of  June, 
1875.  In  politics  Mr.  Ewing  has  always  been  a republican. 

THOMAS  N.  LAKIN. 

Thomas  N.  Lakix  was. born  at  Freeport,  Harrison  county,  Ohio, 
on  the  thirteenth  of  August,  1843.  His  father,  T.  N.  Lakin,  was 
also  a native  of  Ohio.  His  mother,  Mary  A.  Pepper,  was  born  in 
Ohio,  and  was  the  daughter  of  Henry  Pepper,  who  was  of  German 
descent,  and  moved  from  Virginia  to  Ohio,  and  was  one  of  the  ear- 
liest settlers  of  Harrison  county  in  that  State  ; he  moved  from 
Harrison  to  Tuscarawas  county,  where  he  died.  Mr.  Lakin’s 
mother  died  when  he  was  only  a few  days  old,  and  he  was  there- 
upon taken  to  raise  by  his  uncle,  Joshua  Pepper,  now  one  of  the 


old  and  respected  citizens  of  Rosemond  township.  In  the  year  1854 
Mr.  Pej)per  removed  from  Tuscarawas  county,  Ohio,  to  Illinois. 
He  settled  in  the  fall  of  the  same  year  on  section  thirty-one  of 
Locust  township,  and  occupied  a frame  house  which  had  been  built 
in  the  fall  of  1853,  and  which  was  the  second  frame  house  ever 
erected  on  the  Buckeye  prairie.  Mr.  Lakin  was  about  eleven  years 
of  age  when  he  accompanied  IMr.  Pepper's  family  to  Christian 
county.  He  had  attended  school  in  Ohio  from  the  age  of  five  years, 
and  after  coming  to  Christian  county  went  to  the  Buckeye  school, 
which  was  principally  under  the  instruction  of  II.  L.  Mull.  In  the 
fall  of  1862,  at  the  age  of  nineteen,  he  entered  the  State  Normal 
University  at  Normal,  Illinois,  which  institution  he  attended  till 
the  summer  of  1863.  On  the  ninth  of  August,  1863,  he  married 
Rebecca  Hunter,  daughter  of  William  Hunter.  INIrs.  Lakin  is  a 
native  of  Tuscarawas  county,  Ohio.  In  the  fall  of  1863  Mr.  Lakin 
took  charge  of  a school  in  Locust  township,  and  with  the  exception 
of  a couple  of  years,  has  been  engaged  in  teaching  in  Locust  and 
Rosemond  townshijjs,  from  that  time  to  the  present.  During  part 
of  the  years  1865  and  1866,  he  was  in  the  mercantile  business  at 
Princeton,  and  in  1867  and  1868  at  Rosemond.  He  has  also  been 
engaged  in  farming.  In  his  political  principles  he  has  always  been 
a member  of  the  republican  party.  His  first  vote  for  President 
was  cast  for  Lincoln,  in  1864.  In  1868  he  served  as  assessor  of 
Rosemond  township.  He  has  six  children,  three  girls  and  three 
boys. 

His  uncle,  Joshua  Pepper,  to  whom  Mr.  Lakin  in  his  early  life 
was  indebted  for  a home,  is  now  one  of  the  oldest  settlers  on  the 
Buckeye  prairie.  He  is  now  living  on  section  five  of  Rosemond 
township,  at  the  age  of  seventy-six. 


SOUTH  FORK  TOWNSHIP. 


^^^^OUTH  FORK  Township  lies  due  west  of  Taylorville, 
the  county  seat.  It  is  bounded  on  the  east  by  the 
South  Fork  of  the  Sangamon,  south  by  Bear  Creek  and 
King  townships,  west  and  north  liy  Sangamon  county, 
and  the  South  Fork  of  the  Sangamon.  The  soil  is  rich,  fertile  and 
productive,  the  larger  portion  of  which  was  originally  covered  with 
a heavy  growth  of  timber.  Considerable  timber  is  yet  found  along 
the  margin  of  the  streams.  The  township  is  drained  by  Clear  creek 
and  the  south  fork  of  the  Sangamon  and  its  tributaries,  all 
of  which  streams  run  in  a northern  and  north-west  direction, 
and  finally  lose  their  waters  in  the  Sangamon  river.  This 
township,  as  organized,  embraced  all  that  ])ortion  of  the  county 
lying  west  of  the  South  Fork  of  the  Sangamon  river,  including  a 
part  of  the  four  townships,  13  and  ] 4,  and  ranges  3 and  4 west. 
It  contains  an  area  of  about  eight  miles  square  ; it  has  been  known 
and  called  the  “South  Fork  Precinct,”  since  the  organization  of 
the  county. 

FIRST  SETTLERS. 

It  was  in  this  township  that  the  first  settlement  in  the  county 
was  made.  Martin  Hanon,  and  others  following  him,  “ sapiattcd  ” 


here  and  made  the  first  settlement,  in  the  year  1818.  Mr. 
Hanon  improved  the  tract  of  land  now  better  known  as  tbe 
Esquire  Council  farm.  He  built  a cabin,  plowed  a little  patch 
of  ground,  with  an  old  barshear  plow,  between  two  bazel 
thickets,  for  a “ truck  patch,”  where  his  widowed  mother,  who  ac- 
companied him  to  his  new  home,  set  out  some  “ shillotts,”  a species 
of  onion,  tansey,  “ old  man,”  and  other  “yearbs,”  brought  along. 
Alexander  Matthews,  who  came  with  Martin  Hanon,  built  a cabin 
the  following  season,  and,  in  course  of  time,  put  a “ housekeeper  ” 
in  it.  The  following  comprises  the  names  of  some  of  the  families 
who  first  settled  in  this  portion  of  the  county.  John  S.  Sinnet,  Clai- 
born  Matthews,  and  his  sons,  Eli  and  Alexander,  and  Kinchen  came 
soon  after  Hanon  in  1818.  lu  1819  came  Jake  Gragg.  Samuel 
Miller,  the  father  of  Daniel  and  Martin  Miller,  settled  in  this  lo- 
cality in  1823.  Solomon  and  John  Meads  in  1824.  In  1825  came 
John  Johnson ; he  first  settled  what  has  since  been  better  known  as 
the  old  Ralston  homestead.  Jacob  Wydick,  Mr.  Chapman,  George 
Vandeveer,  Charles  Vandeveer,  Robert  Richardson,  AVilliam  Rich- 
ardson, Sr.,  John  Finley,  Andrew  Finley,  Isaac  Lcacham,  George 
and  Samuel  Cockelreese,  John  Durbin,  John  Z.  Durbin,  Jacob  Ca- 


IGO 


HISTORY  OF  CHRISTIAN  COUNTY,  ILLINOIS. 


gle,  Samuel  Hart  and  Aquilla  Council  came  previous  to  the  “ deep 
snow,”  in  1830. 

The  Richardson  connection  was  quite  numerous,  and  this  circum- 
stance gave  the  name  “Richardson  settlement,”  by  which  that  sec- 
tion of  tlie  county  was  known  for  years.  These  families  settled  on 
the  prairie  in  1828.  They  were  zealous  members  of  the  Methodist 
Church,  and  at  an  early  day  organized  a society.  Robert  Richard- 
son, Sr.,  Wm.  Richardson,  Sr.,  and  John  S.  Sinnet  were  leading 
members.  The  first  meetings  vvere  held  in  private  houses,  and  after 
a time  Robert  Richardson,  Sr.,  set  about  building  a church.  Amos 
and  Jesse  Richardson,  his  sons,  aided  him  in  cutting  and  hauling 
logs  to  Elgan’s  Mill,  and  then,  at  night-time,  were  granted  the 
privilege  of  running  the  mill,  free  of  charge,  in  sawing  necessary 
lumber  for  the  church.  This  good  old  father  in  the  church  worked 
faithfully,  and  without  remuneration,  in  building  the  little  old 
“ meeting-house,”  which  stood  so  many  years  as  an  antiquated 
landmark.  In  time  it  gave  place  to  the  present  Bethany  Church. 
In  a dilapidated  form  it  was  moved  away,  having  served  well  its 
purpose  as  a house  of  worship.  It  was  the  first  church  built  in  the 
county,  and  around  it  clustered  many  memories  of  olden  times. 
The  new  Bethany  M.  E.  Church,  ten  miles  west  of  Taylorville,  was 
erected  in  the  summer  of  1807  ; it  is  a commodious  building,  and 
has  a seating  capacity  of  500.  Its  cost  was  $4,000. 

Fir.'it  Weddincj  celebrated  in  this  township  \vas  that  of  Eli  I\[at- 
thews  to  Miss  Susan  Hanon,  on  the  21st  of  April,  1823.  They 
were  married  by  Rev.  William  Roberts;  the  license  was  issued  by 
C.  R.  Matheney,  County  Clerk,  at  Springfield.  This  was  the  first 
organized  township  (T.  14,  R.  3)  for  school  purposes,  and  the  elec- 
tion of  school  officers  in  the  county. 

FIRST  SCHOOL-HOUSE. 

The  first  school-house  was  located  a few  rods  south  of  Esquire 
Council’s  place.  It  was  made  of  rough  logs,  and  noted  for 
its  large  fire-place,  taking  up  the  whole  end  of  the  build- 
ing, the  chimney  being  made  inside.  Tlic  first  school  taught  in 
this  building  was  by  Silas  Alexander.  Subsequently  John  H. 
Davis,  Sr.,  and  John  M.  Taylor  taught  here.  Some  years  after  its 
erection  the  house  burned  down,  and  a neat  frame  school-house  was 
built  a short  distance  from  where  the  old  one  stood,  which  was  the 
pride  of  the  neighborhood  ; it  was  noted  for  its  literary  exhibitions. 
In  it  were  deliv'cred  frequent  lectures,  and  under  its  hospitable  roof 
flourished  a debating  .society.  Some  of  the  participants  of  these 
exercises,  outside  the  township,  were  II.  INI.  Vandeveer,  Daniel 
^Miller,  William  S.  IMoore,  Dr.  C.  Goudy,  and  others.  In  it  were 
taught,  during  the  long  winter  evenings,  “ Singing  Geography  ” 
and  singing  .schools.  But  this  house,  with  all  its  pleasant  as.socia- 
tions,  has  been  numbered  with  the  things  that  were,  and  another 
more  commodious  and  elegant  has  taken  its  place.  Judge  II.  i\I. 
Vandeveer  was  one  of  the  log  cabin  teachers  in  this  township  in 
early  flay.**. 

This  township  had  its  sensations.  It  is  related  that  two  of  its 
citizens  traded  wives.  Twoaged  i)eo]de,  “ Grandfather  Chapman  ” 
and  wife,  noted  for  their  longevity,  each  being  over  one  hundred 
years  old,  were  residents  of  this  townshij).  'I’hcy  lived  above 
Ksqnir.' Council’s ; their  two  sons,  Hiram  and  Eintz,  also  rcsidcil 
in  this  town.'hi]). 

Abram  Hart  was  one  of  the  pioneer  settlers  of  South  I'ork, 
and  was  e.‘'])ecially  note<l  as  a great  bee  hunter.  The  “ Timher 
Eield,’  of  tniditionary  fame,  i.s  ha  ateil  in  this  towii.^hij).  It  is  situ- 
ated in  the  bottom  limber,  a short  distance  below  Ralston’s  bridge, 
on  th«!  ea.'-t  siile  of  the  stream.  The  ohi  clearing  has  been  noticed 
by  the  pa.->.'ing  traveler  for  many  years.  In  early  times  there  was 


j a small  improvement  with  the  log  cabin  and  rude  surroundings 
made  by  the  old  pioneer,  John  Waddle,  in  1824,  a relative  of 
j Esquire  Shad.  Campbell.  He  disposed  of  his  claim  to  John  Baker, 

I who  lived  on  it  several  years ; Mr.  I).  Baker,  the  aged  father,  lived 

with  his  son.  Tradition  has  it  that  he  was  an  old  soldier  of  the 
j Revolutionary  war,  and  that  his  remains  now  repose  in  that  se- 

j questered,  lonely  old  field,  with  no  stone  to  inark  the  spot  of  this 

j brave  defender  of  his  country  in  her  hour  of  trial.  Its  occupants 

j have  all  long  since  passed  away,  and  a rank  undergrowth  covers  the 

j place ; the  tall,  overhanging  trees  around  alone  singing  their  requiem. 

Several  families,  at  a later  date,  settled  in  that  vicinity.  But  they 
live  in  continual  dread  of  the  annual  floods.  In  the  memorable 
I great  rise  of  the  Sangamon,  in  the  summer  of  1875,  it  nearly  sub- 
merged till  cabin  of  James  Chandler,  causing  him  to  beat  a hasty 
retreat  before  the  rising,  surging  flood,  with  his  family  and  effects. 
John  Burris’  house  was  filled  with  water  several  feet  above  the 
floor,  and  a large  tree  forced  open  the  door.  It  was  with  extreme 
difficulty  that  he  rescued  his  family  from  the  roof,  and  ferried  them 
to  a place  of  safety.  The  water  at  Ralston's  Bridge  and  bottom 
was  twenty-five  feet  above  low  water  mark,  and  Mr.  Ralston  said  it 
j was  five  feet  nine  inches  higher  than  ever  before  known  to  the 
oldest  inhabitants. 

I Stone  Quarries- — One  of  the  finest  stone  quarries  in  the  county  is 
located  near  the  Ralston  Bridge.  The  stone  for  the  foundation  of 
I the  present  court-house  was  taken  from  it.  In  earlier  years  most  of 
the  lime  used  in  the  county  was  burned  at  this  quarry.  The  ledge  of 
rocks  had  quite  a notoriety  in  the  pioneer  days  for  its  den  of  rattle- 
snakes. 

Mills. — In  early  times  there  were  three  water  mills  in  this  town- 
ship. Elgan’s  ]\Iill  was  the  first  and  most  notable  of  these,  situated 
on  the  South  Fork  of  the  Sangamon,  some  ten  miles  north-west  of 
Taylorville.  It  was  a saw  and  grist  mill,  built  in  the  year  1833,  by 
j William  Wallace  and  Dabney  Knuckols.  After  operating  it  a year 
' or  two,  they  disposed  of  it  to  Martin  Hanon  and  Eli  Matthews, 
j and  they  in  turn  sold  it  to  Jesse  Elgan,  in  1838.  He  ran  it  for 
several  years,  and  disposed  of  it  to  Alexander  Humphreys.  It  next 
I pa.ssed  into  the  hands  of  Capt.  Gordon,  in  1857,  who  subsequently 
converted  it  into  a steam  mill,  locating  it  about  one  hundred  yards 
I further  down  the  river.  Since  then  it  has  been  sold  and  removed, 

! and  now  no  vestige  of  this  once  noted  water-mill  remains.  Capt. 

I Gordon  also  carried  on  the  first  store  in  this  township.  This  Capt. 
Gordon  was  convicted  of  piracy  and  kidnapping  slaves  during  the 
war  of  the  rebellion,  and  was  hung  in  New  York  City. 

I A few  miles  further  up  the  river,  and  about  six  miles  west  of 
I Taylorville,  was  a saw  and  grist  mill  owned  by  Eevi  Hinkle,  an 
old  i)ioneer  settler.  The  third  was  Whitecraft’s  saw  and  grist-mill 
located  on  West  Clear  Creek.  Its  erection  was  undertaken  hy 
Rathhone  and  Ids  son-in-law.  Geo.  INIaddox,  but  completed  by 
Whitecraft.  This  null  was  a great  convenience  to  the  early  in- 
habitants. 

Schools.— 'U\c.  county  court  at  its  December  term,  1830,  appointed 
Robert  Richardson,  Hr.,  Benjamin  Robertson,  and  William  Harvey 
trustees  of  schools  in  township  fourteen,  north,  range  three,  west. 

I It  was  the  first  organized  township  for  school  purpo.ses.  Esquire 
Council  for  many  years  was  its  treasurer.  This  township  with 
others  sufl’ered  with  having  dci)reciated  state  hank  paper  on  hand. 
The  legislature  pa.ssed  an  act  INIarch  4,  1843,  authorizing  the  school 
commi.ssioner  ol’  Christian  comity  to  loan  on  the  hest  terms  in  his 
jiower,  any  note  or  notes  of  the  state  hank  ol  Illinois  received  for 
debts  due  on  school  fund  in  any  township,  but  in  no  event  for  a less 
amount  than  fifty  cents  on  the  dollar. 

The  store  of  J.  C.  Bnljiit  was  robbed  June  15,  I8G1.  He  fled  to 


HISTORY  OF  CHRISTIAN  COUNTY,  ILLINOIS. 


161 


the  house  for  safety,  barring  his  door  against  the  thieves.  The 
robbers  were  disguised  with  blackened  faces.  This  store  is  located 
on  the  S.  E.  quarter,  Sec.  4,  T.  13  R.  3 W.,  about  one  mile  southwest 
from  Ralston’s.  John  H.  Davis,  Sr.,  formerly  a resident  of  this 
township,  and  at  one  time  a school  teacher,  died  in  Taylorville,  Jan 
20,  1866,  aged  79  years.  A.  B.  Humphreys,  at  one  time  owner  of 
the  “ Elgan  Mills,”  died  at  his  residence  in  the  western  part  of  the 
township,  Oct.  8,  1865,  aged  60  years. 

First  Officers. — The  first  precinct  officers  were  elected  Aug.  5, 
1839.  It  then  included  all  of  the  Bear  Creek  country,  and  polled 
about  ninety  votes.  Aquilla  Council  and  Presley  Peek  were  elected 
the  first  justice  of  the  peace;  Amos  Richardson  and  John  L.  Cagle 
were  elected  constables;  the  latter  resigned  and  Jackson  Wilson  was 
elected  to  fill  the  vacancy  in  Aug.  1841.  Amos  Richardson  re- 
signed, being  elected  sherififin  1842,  and  Eleven  Elgan  was  elected 
May  2,  1842,  to  fill  the  vacancy.  According  to  the  census  of  1870, 
South  Fork  contained  a population  of  1279.  The  number  of  votes 
polled  in  1876  at  the  presidential  election  was  315  The  lands  in 
this  township  were  originally  surveyed  and  certified  July  12,  1821. 

The  first  lauds  entered  in  this  township,  as  taken  from  the  county 
records,  were  made  by  the  following  parties  : T.  13-3,  Jan.  25,  1830, 
Jeremiah  Simpkin,  N.  W.  A Sec.  1,  155  3-100  acres;  May  20,  1830, 
Jesse  Langley,  E,  A N.  W.  1 Sec.  12,  80  acres  ; May  20, 1830,  John 
Young,  N.  E.  i Sec.  1,  158  76-100  acres;  T.  14-3,  June  24,  1829, 
Thomas  Wilson,  E.  i,  N.  E.  i Sec.  29,  80  acres;  T.  14-4,  April  14, 
1830,  Horatio  M.  Vandeveer,  W.  N.  E.  1,  Sec.  25,  80  acres ; April 
28,  1832,  Eli  C.  Blankensop,  S.  E.  J Sec.  24,  160  acres;  June  13, 
1833,  Nathaniel  N.  Ware,  E.  i,  N.  E.  1 Sec.  36,  80  acres;  T.  13-4, 
Oct.  2,  1848,  Eli  C.  Darwin,  S.  W.  i Sec.  2,  160  acres;  Oct.  30, 
1848,  Robert  E.  Sanders,  AV.  i S.  W.  i Sec.  3,  80  acres ; Oct.  30, 
1848,  John  H.  Sanders,  W.  i N.  W.  I Sec.  10,  80. 

BLACKBURN. 

A post-office  and  village  is  located  near  the  center  of  T.  13-3, 
and  is  a great  convenience  to  the  inhabitants  of  South  Fork  as  a 
local  trading  point  and  for  mails.  Here  resides  Dr.  J.  H.  Dicker- 
son,  one  of  the  leading  physicians  of  Christian  county.  He  is  also 
postmaster,  and  engaged  in  merchandizing  at  this  point. 

We  subjoin  a list  of  township  officers  : 

Supervisors. — Gavin  Ralston,  elected  1866 ; H.  Richardson,  1867  ; 
re-elected  1868 ; John  M.  Coleman,  1869 ; Charles  Humphreys, 
1870,  re-elected  1871;  L.  Adams,  1872;  J.  H.  Dickerson,  1873; 

21 


J.  AI.  Coleman,  1874;  A.  A.  Taylor,  1875;  L.  Adams,  1876;  John 
AA^hite,  1877  ; C.  C.  George,  1878;  Mathew  Cavanaugh,  1879;  AV. 
Armstrong,  1880. 

Assessors. — Isaac  Hoover,  1876,  re-elected  1877 ; S.  S.  Whitmer, 
1878;  Samuel  Peck,  1879,  re-elected  1880. 

Collectors. — Josiah  A.  Hill,  elected  1866  ; Levi  Whitmer,  1867 ; 
AVm.  AI.  Peek,  1868  ; AVm.  G.  George,  1869  ; Isaac  Hoover,  1871 ; 
S.  S.  AVhitmer,  1872,  and  each  year  up  to  1877  ; J.  W.  Coady, 

1877,  re-elected  1878  ; R.  A.  Shaw,  1879  ; J.  H.  Daily,  1880. 

Town  Clerks. — Charles  Bell,  1876,  re-elected  1877 ; AV.  N.  Gal- 
loway, 1878;  John  McCoy,  1879;  Lawrence  Curtin,  1880. 

Commissioners  of  Hicjliways. — John  Taff,  1876;  J.  H.  Dickerson, 
1877;  Grin  Conway,  1878;  John  Jersey,  1879;  A.  AI.  Council, 
1880. 

Constables. — Nicholas  Padget  and  G.  A.  Call,  elected  in  1873; 
AA’’.  H.  Tweedy,  1874;  AVm.  N.  Calloway,  1876;  Nicholas  Padget, 
re-elected  1877 ; Sandford  Sharp,  elected  1877. 

Justice  of  the  Peace. — Otho  AV.  Greer,  elected  in  1866,  resigned 
Nov.  19;  .Tohn  H.  Caldwell,  1866;  G.  AV.  Hoover,  to  fill  vacancy. 
G.  AA'^.  Hoover  and  G.  AV.  Alason,  1870 ; James  Craig,  1873;  AV.  J. 
Rouse,  1874;  James  Craig  and  A.  A.  Taylor,  1877;  Grin  Gifford, 

1878. 

Among  the  old  settlers  of  Christian  county,  now  residing  in 
South  Fork,  we  mention  the  following,  and  the  time  they  came  to 
the  county : AV.  F.  Gore,  a Kentuckian  by  birth,  settled  here  in 

1830.  Robert  Preston  Langley,  Sr.,  also  a native  of  Kentucky, 
came  here  in  1829.  Plis  wife,  Alinerva  A.  Pittman,  was  born  in 
Clark  county,  Ind.,  and  came  to  Christian  county  with  her  parents  in 
1826.  A.  Ralston  became  a resident  of  South  Fork  in  1834.  He 
was  born  in  AVashington  county,  Indiana  Leason  Adams,  another 
old  settler,  a North  Carolinian  by  birth,  located  here  in  1833.  His 
wife,  Amelia  Ralston,  a native  of  Indiana,  became  a resident  here 
in  1834.  The  AVhitecraft  family  were  also  among  the  early  settlers. 
J.  C.  AVhitecraft,  a Kentuckian,  came  here  in  1835,  and  Joseph 
A.  AA^hitecraft  moved  from  Sangamon  county  here  in  1856. 

Improvements. — In  South  Fork  may  be  found  some  of  the  best 
farms  and  farm  improvements  in  the  county.  AVe  call  the  attention 
of  the  reader  to  the  illustrations  of  farm  scenery  belonging  to  this 
township ; also  to  the  biographical  sketches  of  several  of  the  old 
settlers  and  prominent  men  who  have  done  so  much  toward  the  de- 
velopment and  improvement  of  this  part  of  the  country. 


BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES. 


The  Wh  itecraft  family  have  been  the  pioneers  of  three  states, 
viz. : Tcnnes.see,  Kentucky,  and  Illinois.  Their  ancestors  came  to 
America  from  England  at  a period  anterior  to  the  revolutionary 
war.  They  settled  in  Pennsylvania.  John  Whitecraft,  the  grand- 
father of  the  present  family,  was  born  in  Lancaster  county.  He 
was  a hatter  by  trade.  Being  of  an  adventurous  disposition  he 
concluded  to  forsake  the  comforts  of  his  home  and  try  tlje  life  of  a 
frontiersman.  Accordingly  about  the  close  of  the  revolutionary  war, 
lie  emigrated  to  Tennessee.  A short  time  afterward  he  removed 
to  Bath  county,  then  known  as  Montgomery  county,  Kentucky. 
Here  he  remained  until  his  death.  He  married  Jane  Kincaiil. 
By  this  union  there  were  six  children,  two  sons  and  four  daughters. 

John  Whitecraft,  his  eon,  and  father  of  the  subject  of  this  sketch, 
was  born  in  Tennessee.  He  was  in  his  eighth  year  when  the  family 
removed  to  Bath  county,  Kentucky.  John  grew  to  manhood  and 
married  Rachel  Arnett,  who  was  a native  of  Clark  county,  Ken- 
tucky. Tlic  Arnetts  were  of  Scotch-Irish  dc.sccnt,  the  ancestors  of 
whom  settled  in  the  Carolinas  at  a very  early  period  in  the  history 
of  that  section  of  the  country.  By  this  marriage  there  were  si.v 
sons  and  one  daughter,  four  of  whom  are  still  living. 

102 


John  Whitecraft  was  a man  who  loved  freedom  of  thought  and 
action,  and  hated  that  which  partook  of  the  nature  of  oppression. 
He  therefore  at  an  early  age  imbibed  sentiments  hostile  to  the  insti- 
tution of  slavery,  as  it  then  existed  in  the  Southern  States.  In 
order  to  escape  its  baneful  influences,  and  that  he  might  raise  and 
educate  his  children  in  a manner  corresponding  to  his  ideas  of 
right,  he  concluded  wisely  to  leave  the  South,  and  come  to  the 
free  North. 

Strong  and  sincere  in  his  resolution,  in  1834  he  came  to  Spring- 
field,  Illinois,  and  from  that  point,  in  company  with  Alexander 
Humphreys,  traveled  over  Sangamon  county,  carefully  examining 
the  (piality  and  nature  of  the  soil,  and  looking  out  for  a desirable 
location.  Wlicn  he  came  to  the  north  part  of  what  is  now  known 
as  South  I'ork  township,  he  was  so  favorably  impressed  with  that 
j)art  of  the  country,  that  he  j)urchascd  a quarter  section  iqion  which 
there  was  a small  clai)-board  house,  a view  of  which  can  be  seen  on 
another  page.  In  Scj)tcmbcr,  1835,  he  moved  his  family  from  Ken- 
tucky to  a place  two  miles  south-east  of  Springfield,  Illinois,  where 
they  remained  until  April,  183(!,  when  they  removed  to  their  new 
and  what  has  j)roved  to  be  their  home  to  the  present  time.  Mr. 


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HISTORY  OF  CHRISTIAN  COUNTY,  ILLINOIS, 


163 


Whitecraft,  soon  after  the  purchase  of  the  first  quarter,  entered  the 
north  half  of  seection  thirty-six.  lie  afterward  became  the  owner 
of  other  tracts,  and  when  he  died  was  possessed  of  considerable 
land.  He  was  a man  of  enlarged  views  and  good  business  qualities. 
He  belonged  to  the  rigid  faith  of  the  old  Scotch  Presbyterians,  and 
was  devout  and  full  of  that  stern  courage  that  made  men  martyrs 
to  principle. 

Like  all  his  class  he  was  honest  and  exact,  doing  unto  others  as 
he  would  have  others  do  unto  him.  In  his  domestic  life  none  were 
kinder  or  exhibited  more  parental  affection.  He  died  July  25th, 
1847.  His  wife,  and  the  mother  of  the  present  family,  survived  him 
many  years.  She  died  September  22d,  1876,  in  the  eightieth  year 
of  her  age.  Joseph  A.  is  the  eldest  of  the  family.  He  was  born 
in  Bath  county,  Kentucky,  January  11th,  1819.  The  other  mem- 
bers of  the  family  are  John  C.,  who  is  a farmer  and  resident  of 
South  Fork  township  ; Silas  M.  and  George  W.,  residents  of  Spring- 
field,  and  Jane  M.,  only  sister,  widow  of  John  Williams.  She  has 
two  children,  both  boys,  named  Chester  G.  and  Oscar  Williams. 

Joseph  A.  had  but  few  advantages  in  his  youth  for  receiving  an 
education.  He  attended  the  common  schools  of  his  native  state, 
and  received  such  learning  as  they  could  give.  It  must  be  remem- 
bered that  the  school  system  of  that  day  was  not  up  to  the  high 
standard  that  it  is  at  present.  The  country  was  sparsely  settled, 
and  school-houses  were  few  and  far  between.  Then  too,  the  youth 
of  the  land  had  to  become  producers,  and  help  to  provide  for  them- 
selves and  members  of  the  family.  They  matured  early,  and  be- 
came stalwart  yeomanry  at  a time  when  they  are  about  ready  to 
enter  upon  their  education. 

The  subject  of  this  sketch  has  by  close  observation,  in  a measure, 
remedied  the  lack  of  opportunities  in  his  youth.  That  together 
with  his  love  of  reading,  and  desire  for  information,  has  rendered 
him  a well-informed  man  upon  the  current  events  of  the  day.  He 
is  a man  of  good  business  habits  and  methodical,  and  being  pos- 
sessed naturally  of  a large  share  of  good  sound  common  sense, 
which  he  has  applied  to  his  business  relations  in  life,  he  has,  per 
consequence,  been  more  than  ordinarily  successful  in  the  accumula- 
tion of  property. 

His  father,  as  intimated  above,  was  an  anti-slavery  man,  and 
fought  the  system  that  made  men  chattels  on  every  occasion.  His 
repugnance  and  dislike  to  that  peculiar  institution  was  transmitted 
to  his  children.  They  at  an  early  age  ranged  themselves  on  the 
side  of  freedom  and  human  rights,  and  lived  to  see  that  hated  curse 
go  down  amidst  the  thunders  and  horrors  of  war.  Joseph  A.,  in 
his  early  manhood,  gave  his  support  to  the  old  line  whig  party,  as 
more  nearly  representing  his  views.  His  first  presidential  vote  was 
cast  for  William  Henry  Harrison  in  1840.  When  the  whig  party 
went  down  and  the  young  republican  giant  sprang  into  existence, 
he  was  among  its  first  advocates  and  adherents.  He  has  always  re- 
mained firm  and  true  to  its  principles.  He  belongs  to  the  party 
and  votes  the  ticket  for  the  principles  that  underlie  and  support  the 
organization,  and  not  from  any  desire  to  share  in  the  spoils  of  office 
that  fall  to  the  party  in  power.  The  Whitecrafts  do  not  belong  to 
that  class.  They  vote  from  a sense  of  duty.  They  prefer  to  enjoy 
broad  acres,  well  tilled,  fine  stock  and  beautiful  homes,  to  the  un- 
certainties and  perplexities  of  politics  and  politicians. 

Mr.  Whitecraft  may  be  regarded  as  one  of  the  pioneers  of  Chris- 
tian county.  When  he  came  here  he  was  young  and  in  the  full  Hush 
of  young  manhood.  Nearly  a half  century  has  fled  by  on  the  wings 
of  relentless  time.  Then  the  broad  expanse  of  uncultivated  land 
was  overgrown  with  rank  grass,  and  filled  with  miasmatic  swamps. 
Then  were  seen  droves  of  deer  that  gazed  upon  man  with  open-eyed 


wonder.  The  only  sound  that  broke  the  stillness  was  the  wild  turkey 
calling  to  its  mate,  or  the  dismal  cry  of  the  wolf  ashe  prowled  near  the 
few  scattering  farm-houses.  Now  the  landscape  is  dotted  over  with 
thrifty  villages  and  dwellings.  Where  the  grass  Avas  then,  now 
waves  the  golden  grain  ; above  the  fever-producing  swamps  hangs 
the  rich  bloom  of  the  tasseled  corn,  and  on  all  sides  is  heard  the 
busy  hum  of  husbandry.  What  a wonderful  change,  and  all  with- 
in the  memory  and  the  time  that  Joseph  A.  Whitecraft  came  into 
the  county. 

Forty-four  years  ago  he  came  here  and  made  this  his  home,  and 
lived  among  this  people,  and  in  all  those  years,  so  even  has  been 
the  tenor  of  his  way,  that  it  is  doubtful  if  he  has  made  one  down- 
I right  enemy.  In  his  intercourse  with  men  he  is  a kind-hearted  man, 
— one  whose  home  is  open  to  you,  and  whose  acquaintance  it  is  a 
genuine  pleasure  to  make. 

[ He  belongs  to  that  school  of  old  Kentucky  gentlemen  who  have 
always  been  noted  for  their  open  hospitality  and  the  kindly  Avel- 
come  they  extend  to  all. 

His  highest  ambition  in  life  has  been  achieved,  and  that  is  to  be 
a practical  farmer,  possessing  broad  acres,  well  tilled,  good  stock, 
health  and  happiness.  No  man  in  the  community  stands  higher  in 
the  estimation  of  his  neighbors  than  he,  and  all  accord  him  the 
reputation  of  a straightforward,  plain,  honest  man. 


WILLIAM  H.  GROWL 

Is  a native-born  Illinoisan.  His  place  and  date  of  birth  was 
Sangamon  county,  April  14,  1845.  His  father,  Joseph  Growl,  was 
a native  of  Washington  count}",  Maryland.  He  was  a soldier  of 
the  war  of  1812,  and  one  of  the  patriotic  defenders  of  his  country. 
The  Growls  on  the  paternal  side  are  of  German  extraction,  and  on 
the  maternal  English.  Mr.  Growl  the  elder  came  to  Sangamon 
county  in  1834,  and  located  at  a point  east  of  Rochester,  Avhere  he 
remained  until  his  death,  Avhich  event  occurred  September  10, 1865. 
He  was  a farmer  and  stock  raiser,  in  which  he  was  very  successful. 
He  married  Mary  Ann  Dillehant.  She  Avas  born  and  raised  on  the 
Eastern  shore,  Maryland.  By  this  marriage  there  Avere  fifteen 
children,  eight  of  Avhom  are  living.  The  subject  of  this  sketch  is 
the  youngest  in  the  family.  He  remained  at  home  engaged  in 
agricultural  pursuits,  until  1868,  Avhen  he  came  to  Ghristian  county, 
and  purchased  a half  section  of  land  in  Section  19,  T.  13,  R.  3 W., 
and  in  the  folloAving  spring  he  built  a dAvelling-house  upon  it,  and 
has  remained  there  to  the  present.  On  the  10th  of  January,  1871, 
he  married  Miss  Sarah  E.  Miller,  avIio  is  also  a native  of  Sangamon 
county.  Her  father,  Samuel  IMiller,  Avas  born  in  Loudon  county, 
Va  , and  her  mother,  Avhose  maiden  name  Avas  Eliza  Jones,  AA'as  a 
native  of  Kentucky.  The  Jones’  family  came  to  Illinois  at  a very 
early  day,  and  are  among  the  first  settlers  of  Sangamon  county. 
There  have  been  born  to  W.  H.  and  Sarah  E.  Growl  four  children. 

Their  names  are:  Laura,  Samuel  Joseph,  Gharles  Franklin  and 
Eva  IMabel  Growl.  Mr.  GroAvl  is  not  a member  of  any  church 
organization.  He  believes  in  doing  to  others  as  he  Avould  have  others 
do  unto  you,  and  believes  that  if  that  maxim  is  lived  up  to  a 
man  has  Avithin  him  a good  share  of  the  essence  of  genuine  Ghristi- 
anity.  In  politics  he  is  an  ardent  and  reliable  republican.  Ho 
cast  his  first  presidential  vote  for  U.  S Grant,  in  1868,  and  since 
that  time  has  voted  the  republican  ticket  in  all  state  and  national 
elections.  Mr.  Growl  is  among  the  prominent  farmers  and  stock 
raisers  of  his  toAvnship.  He  has  a beautiful  farm,  well  tilled  and  iu 
a most  excellent  eondition.  A vieAV  of  his  residence  can  be  seen  on 
another  page  in  this  Avork. 


164 


HISTORY  OF  CHRISTIAN  COUNTY,  ILLINOIS. 


The  subject  of  the  present  sketch  is  one  of  the  leading  and 
prominent  men  of  South  Fork  township,  and  a representative  man 
of  the  county.  The  Dickerson  family,  on  both  sides  are  of  English- 
Irish  ancestry,  and  were  originally  from  Maryland.  John  S.  Dicker- 
son,  the  father  of  Dr.  John  H.,  was  a native  of  Kentucky.  He 
came  with  his  father  to  Indiana  at  an  early  date  in  the  history  of 
that  State.  From  Indiana  he  came  to  Sangamon  county,  Illinois, 
where  he  married  Mary  E.  Bell.  After  his  marriage  he  returned 
to  Indiana,  where  he  remained  for  three  years,  and  then  came  back 
to  Sangamon  county,  where  he  still  resides.  The  Doctor  is  the 
eldest  in  a family  of  six  children,  all  of  whom  have  reached 
maturity.  He  was  born  in  Davis  county,  Indiana,  June  24th, 
1847.  He  received  a fair  education  in  the  schools  of  Sangamon 
county,  and  at  the  age  of  sixteen  years  he  entered  the  State  normal 
school  at  Bloomington,  Illinois.  It  was  his  father’s  wish  and  desire 
that  he  should  adopt  teaching  as  a profession.  He  remained  in  the 
normal  school  two  years,  then  returned  home  and  taught  school 
one  term,  and  at  the  same  time  commenced  the  study  of  medicine 
under  the  direction  of  Dr.  II.  O.  Bollcs,  of  Springfield,  Illinois. 
In  the  fall  of  18G8  he  entered  the  Philadelphia  University  of  Medi- 
cine and  Surgery,  and  graduated  from  that  institution  on  the  23d 
of  lebruary,  1870,  with  the  degree  of  M.  D.  He  returned  home, 
and  the  same  year  located  and  commenced  the  practice  of  his  j)ro- 
fession  in  Bear  Creek  township,  Christian  county,  Illinois.  Nine 
months  later  he  came  to  South  I’ork  townshij),  and  located  at  a 
point  since  known  as  Blackhurn,  where  he  has  (•ontinued  the  prac- 
tice with  great  success  to  the  present. 

The  Doctor  belongs  to  the  progrc.ssive  school  of  Tiiedieine.  He 


came  to  his  present  locality  a comparatively  young  man,  with 
nothing  but  his  knowledge  received  from  books,  and  a thorough 
training  in  the  best  medical  schools  in  the  country.  This,  and  his 
energy  and  industry,  was  his  only  capital.  His  determination  to 
succeed  has  brought  its  reward.  On  the  3d  of  March,  1875,  he 
was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Mary  J.  Humphreys.  She  is  a 
native  of  Sangamon  county,  Illinois,  but  was  a resident  of  South 
Fork  township  at  the  time  of  her  marriage.  Dr.  Dickerson  is  an 
active  member  of  the  ancient  and  honorable  order  of  Masons. 

In  politics  he  is  a sound  and  uncompromising  democrat, 
thoroughly  in  accord  with  the  principles  of  his  party,  and  a stanch 
believer  in  the  ultimate  success  of  that  grand  old  organization. 
He  has  through  boyhood  and  maturer  years  given  his  adhesion  to 
that  l>arty,  and  he  sees  no  good  reason  to  doubt  that  its  prin- 
ciples must  eventually  succeed,  if  the  freedom  of  the  country  is 
to  be  maintained,  and  the  ideas  of  the  founders  of  the  republic  per- 
petuated. His  prominence  as  a man,  and  worth  as  a citizen, 
received  recognition  hy  being  elected  to  represent  his  township  in 
the  hoard  of  suj)ervisors.  He  has  also  held  various  other  offices  in 
his  township,  and  in  all  of  them  carefully  looked  after  the  interests 
of  his  people.  He  is  a man  who  could  safely  be  trusted  with  the 
interests  of  the  people  in  any  position  that  his  friends  might  be 
plea-sed  to  honor  him  with.  Among  the  people  where  he  is  best 
known  he  is  respected  for  his  intelligence,  energy,  and  directness  of 
pnrpo.se.  In  his  manners  he  is  a pleasing  gentleman,  with  good 
addre.ss  and  fine  aj)pcarancc.  His  character  is  above  reproach. 
As  a physician  he  takes  high  rank  in  his  profession. 


The  R^slDENCE  OF  Dr.J,  H.  DICKERSON.  Blackbuf{n^  South  Fork  Tp.,  Christian  Co., I ll. 


V 


IHc  Libfiry 
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Unfv«f«ltv  rtf  flllwofc. 


s I u r K I-  A p M P f s t n t N I r 0 F H.  GROWL,  PF.r  - 19,  T.  13.  R 3.  (South  Fork  Tp.)  ChristianCo.,Iu. 


HISTORY  OF  CHRISTIAN  COUNTY,  ILLINOIS. 


165 


The  George  family  were  originally  from  Virginia.  His  father, 
Edward  George,  was  a native  of  that  State.  At  the  age  of  six 
years  he  removed  with  his  father’s  family  to  Kentucky,  where  he 
remained  until  about  1831,  when  he  came  to  Illinois  and  settled  on 
Spring  Creek,  Sangamon  county.  His  death  occurred  in  June, 
1875.  He  married  Catherine  Whaley.  The  subject  of  this  sketch 
is  the  youngest  in  a family  of  six  children.  He  was  born  in  San- 
gamon county,  Illinois,  September  6th,  1846.  He  attended  the 
schools  of  his  district  and  worked  upon  the  farm  until  his  seven- 
teenth year,  when  he  enlisted  as  a private  in  Company  “ M,”  16th 
Illinois  Cavalry.  The  company  rendezvoused  at  Camp  Butler,  then 
was  ordered  to  Cincinnati,  and  from  there  to  Cumberland  Gap,  Ten- 
nessee, where  it  entered  upon  active  service.  The  company  then  was 
a part  of  the  3d  Battalion,  16th  Illinois  Cavalry,  under  command 
of  Major  C.  H.  Beers.  The  command  was  sent  on  the  errand  of 
driving  out  the  rebels,  and  opening  up  Powell’s  Valley,  extending 
from  the  Gap  into  Virginia,  for  the  foraging  trains.  They  were 
met  by  the  64th  Virginia,  a mounted  regiment  that  was  guarding 
that  section  of  the  country.  This  was  in  the  fall  and  winter  of 
1863.  In  the  battle  that  followed  the  rebel  command  was  beaten 
and  driven  through  Jonesboro,  and  the  16th  Cavalry  remained 
upon  guard  until  a large  and  overwhelming  force,  under  command 
of  the  Confederate  General  Sam.  Jones,  was  sent  out  against  it.  In  the 
engagement  against  this  superior  force  the  entire  command  left 
alive  were  captured  and  taken  prisoner.*?.  They  were  taken  to 
Libby  prison,  in  Richmond,  and  from  there  sent  to  Belle  Island, 
where  they  remained  two  months,  and  from  there  they  were  taken 
out,  packed  in  box  cars,  and  taken  to  Andersonville.  Here,  in 
this  loathsome  pen,  C.  C.  George,  in  company  with  his  fellow- 
prisoners,  spent  eleven  long  and  terrible  months.  The  sufferings 
that  they  endured  are  almost  beyond  the  power  of  pen  to  describe. 


Into  this  narrow  pen,  covering  an  area  of  fifteen  acres,  were 
crowded  as  many  as  thirty-five  thousand  men,  with  no  drainage  or 
means  of  carrying  off  the  accumulation  of  filth,  scarcely  any  tents 
or  covering,  insufficiency  of  food,  and  that  of  the  worst  kind, 
ragged,  half-naked,  full  of  vermin,  and  suffering  from  hunger  and 
thirst,  breathing  the  pestilential  and  foul  vapors  arising  from  the 
filthy  and  over-crowded  stockade,  is  it  any  wonder  that  strong  men 
wilted,  sickened,  rotted,  and  died,  with  no  more  care  paid  them 
than  if  they  were  so  many  beasts  of  the  field?  We  challenge 
all  civilized  or  barbaric  ages  to  produce  a record  more  foul  or 
systematically  inhuman  than  the  treatment  of  union  prisoners  in 
the  pen  at  Andersonville.  It  is  a blot  and  stain  on  the  boasted 
civilization  of  the  nineteenth  century  that  man’s  inhumanity  to 
man  should  cause  such  terrible  and  fatal  suffering.  The  subject  of 
our  sketch  passed  his  eighteenth  birthday  here.  He  was  the 
youngest  of  his  comrades.  Six  of  them  went  out  from  his  neigh- 
borhood and  joined  the  command  to  do  battle  for  the  right.  They 
entered  Andersonville  together.  He  was  the  only  survivor ; the 
rest  were  literally  starved  to  death.  He  yet  bears  in  his  system 
the  effects  of  his  torture  ; nor  will  he  be  able,  notwithstanding  his 
fine  and  rugged  physical  form,  to  eradicate  the  poison  from  his  sys- 
tem. From  Andersonville  he  was  taken  to  Savannah,  and  from 
there  to  Millen,  and  then  back  to  Savannah,  where  he  was  among 
others  paroled.  He  was  sent  to  the  parole  camp  at  Annapolis, 
Maryland,  and  went  into  hospital,  and  then  came  home  on  a thirty 
days’  furlough.  He  was  ordered,  through  a mistake,  to  the  camp 
of  distribution,  at  Alexandria,  and  from  there  was  sent  to  Camp 
Chase,  Ohio,  and  from  the  latter  place  was  ordered  to  his  regiment, 
then  stationed  at  Pulaski,  Tennessee.  The  command  was  then, 
until  the  end  of  the  war,  almost  continually  engaged  in  scouting 
and  capturing  guerillas  and  bushwackers.  He  was  mustered  out  in 


166 


HISTORY  OF  CHRISTIAN  COUNTY,  ILLINOIS. 


August,  1865,  and  returned  home  to  Sangamon  county.  He  then 
went  to  work  upon  a farm,  and  was  herding  cattle  for  several 
seasons.  He  then  commenced  trading  in  stock,  and  farming,  and 
has  continued  in  that  business  to  the  present  time.  In  1868  he  came 
to  Christian  county,  and  stopped  with  his  brother,  and  continued  in 
stock  trading.  In  1870  he  purchased  eighty  acres  of  land  on  Bear 
Creek.  On  the  1st  of  March,  1874,  he  removed  to  section  eight, 
town  thirteen,  range  three,  west,  where  he  at  present  resides.  On 
the  19th  of  October,  1871,  he  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Annie 
E.  Mason.  She  is  a native  of  Sangamon  county,  but  has  been  a 
resident  of  this  county  since  she  was  three  years  of  age.  Two 
children  are  the  fruits  of  this  marriage.  Their  names  are  John 
Edward,  and  Claudie  May,  aged  respectively  eight  and  six  years. 
In  politics  he  is  an  ardent  republican.  He  represented  his  town- 
ship in  the  board  of  supervisors  in  1879.  As  a man  and  a citizen 
^Ir.  George  is  much  respected. 

JOHN  WHITE. 

The  subject  of  this  brief  biographical  sketch  is  a native  of  Dick- 
son county,  Tennessee.  He  was  born  February  29th,  1828.  His 
father,  Craig  White,  was  a native  of  the  same  state  as  was  also  his 
father  before  him.  Craig  White  removed  his  family  from  Tennes- 
see to  Illinois  in  1830.  He  settled  in  the  south-east  part  of  Sanga- 
mon county,  where  he  engaged  in  farming  and  stock-raising.  He 
was  an  unusually  active  and  industrious  man,  and  succeeded  in 
amassing  considerable  wealtli.  In  1860  he  practically  retired  from 
active  life.  He  removed  to  Pana,  Christian  county,  where  he  re- 
mained until  his  death,  which  occurred  August  15th,  1878.  He 
married  Sally  Lane,  who  was  born  in  North  Carolina.  She  died 
November  6th,  1870.  John  White  is  the  fifth  in  a family  of  eleven 
children,  six  boys  and  five  girls.  Three  of  the  children  have  sur- 
vived the  parents.  John  was  but  two  years  of  age  when  his  parents 
came  to  Illinois.  His  school  days  were  exceedingly  few,  and  his 
■ opportunities  for  receiving  an  education  very  limited.  He  was  com- 
pelled at  an  early  age  to  become  self-supporting,  and  help  to  pro- 
vide for  the  large  family.  The  lack  of  opportunities  in  his  youth 
for  study  has,  to  a considerable  extent,  been  remedied  and  overcome 
by  his  habit  of  clo.se  observation  and  fondness  for  reading  acquired  in 
his  maturer  years  ; and  now  upon  the  current  topics  of  the  day  he 
is  as  well  posted  as  those  who  make  far  larger  pretensions.  His 
education  has  been  of  the  practical  kind  and  not  the  ornamental- 
He  remained  at  home  until  he  reached  his  maturity,  and  made  his 
father’s  house  his  home  until  he  was  married.  In  1849  he  pur- 
cha.sed  land  in  Locust  Township,  near  the  village  of  Owaneco,  in 
Christian  county,  and  in  the  fall  of  1850  moved  there  and 
began  improvements.  He  remained  there  for  eight  years.  He 
sold  out  then  and  purchased  a half  section  in  Sec.  10,  T. 
13,  R.  4 W.  to  which  he  added  until  he  is  now  the  possessor  of 
as  fine  a body  of  improved  land  as  can  be  found  in  the  county. 
There  he  lias  resided  up  to  the  present  time,  except  one  year,  1865, 
which  he  spent  in  tlic  lumber  businc.ss  in  Rana,  111.  The  business  of 
his  life  has  been  that  of  a practical  farmer,  stock  raiser  and  stock 
feeder.  He  has  also  been  engaged  in  stock  trading  and  shipping. 

On  the  5th  of  September,  1850,  he  marcied  Elizabeth  Hatchett, 
of  Sangamon  county.  She  was  born  in  Virginia.  Her  father,  Har- 
rison Hatchett,  removed  to  Illinois  in  1832,  when  she  was  one  year 
old.  I'ivc  children  have  been  born  to  John  and  lllizabeth  White, 
four  of  whom  arc  living.  Their  names  are  Fanny,  wife  of  Dr. 
Drcnnan,  of  I’awnee-  Hiram,  a farmer  of  this  county.  Columbus, 
who  is  yet  at  home,  an  intelligent,  well-educated  youth  just  verging 
into  manhood,  and  Annie,  wife  of  George  Setzer,  of  Sangamon 
county.  In  politics  Mr.  White  is  a sound  democrat,  and  has  stood 


by  that  party  through  evil  as  well  as  through  good  report.  He  is 
a man  who  has  always  enjoyed  to  the  highest  extent  the  confidence 
and  esteem  of  the  community  in  which  he  resided.  As  evidence  of 
this  it  may  be  mentioned  that  he  has  been  elected  to  positions  of 
honor  and  trust,  and  in  all  discharged  the  duties  therein  involved 
in  a manner  creditable  to  himself  and  to  his  fellow-citizens.  In 
1861,  he  was  elected  Associate  Justice  of  the  county,  and  held  the 
office  for  one  term,  at  the  expiration  of  which  he  was  re  elected  and 
served  one  year,  when  the  county  was  reorganized  under  Township 
organization.  In  1867  he  was  elected  Sheriff  of  the  county,  and 
served  one  term.  He  afterwards  represented  his  township  in  the 
Board  of  Supervisors.  In  his  official  capacity  and  as  a servant  of 
the  people,  he  looks  after  their  interests  the  same  as  if  it  were 
his  ow’ii  private  business.  He  is  a plain-spoken,  straightforward 
man,  and  leaves  no  one  in  doubt  as  to  his  views  or  position  upon 
any  question  of  public  policy.  When  convinced  that  he  is  right,  he 
is  uncompromising  and  immovable.  Firmness  is  one  of  the  charac- 
teristics of  the  man.  In  his  manners  he  is  quiet  and  of  rather  a 
retiring  disposition. 

JOHN  B.  MILLER 

Was  born  in  Hampshire  county,  West  Virginia,  January  18th, 
1829.  His  father,  Absalom  Miller,  was  a soldier  of  the  war  of 
1812.  He  married  Nancy  Sherwood,  who  was  born  and  raised  in 
tbe  same  state.  The  family  left  Virginia  and  came  to  Illinois  in 
1858,  and  settled  in  Pana,  where  they  remained  a short  time,  and 
then  removed  to  Clinton,  De  Witt  county,  where  they  both  died  on 
the  same  day,  December  25th,  1874,  and  were  both  buried  in  the 
same  grave.  There  were  ten  children  in  the  family,  all  of  whom, 
so  far  as  is  known,  are  still  living.  John  B.  remained  at  home 
until  the  spring  of  1856,  when  he  determined  to  come  west  to  seek 
his  fortune.  He  arrived  in  Springfield,  Illinois,  March  4th,  1856, 
and  hired  out  to  work  on  a farm.  He  remained  in  Sangamon 
county  for  three  years,  when  he  came  to  Christian  county  and 
leased  a tract  of  land  of  A.  B.  V.  Humphreys,  where  he  remained 
three  years,  after  which  he  sold  out  his  lease,  but  remained  in  the 
neighborhood  and  continued  farming.  In  1868  he  purchased 
eighty  acres  in  section  thirteen,  town  thirteen,  range  four,  west,  and 
commenced  its  improvement.  He  remained  here  until  1875,  when 
his  fixiling  health  admonished  him  to  suspend  hard  and  active 
labor  for  some  time.  He  accordingly  leased  his  land  and  removed 
to  Springfield,  where  he  engaged  in  the  butchering  business  for  a 
while,  and  then  entered  the  flour  and  feed  business.  He  remained 
in  Sj)ringficld  until  the  spring  of  1879,  when  he  returned  to  his 
farm  in  South  Fork  township  and  has  remained  here  until  the 
present.  On  the  27th  of  November,  1862,  he  married  Sarah  Jane 
Hardin,  whose  parents  were  natives  of  Bath  county,  Kentucky. 
They  came  to  Illinois  in  1855,  and  settled  in  Christian  county. 
Three  children  have  been  born  to  John  B.  and  Sarah  J.  Miller. 
Only  one  survives.  His  name  is  Wallace  T.  The  others  died  in 
infancy.  The  subject  of  this  sketch  was  originally  an  old  line  whig 
in  ])olltics.  His  lirst  presidential  vote  was  cast  for  General  Win- 
field Scott  in  1852.  On  the  formation  of  the  rci)ublican  party  he 
joined  its  ranks,  and  has  from  that  time  voted  with  that  party. 
j\lr.  Miller’s  life  has  been  spent  upon  the  farm,  except  the  few  years 
that  he  was  a resident  of  Springfield.  In  1875  he  purchased 
eighty-one  acres  in  the  south-east  part  of  the  same  section  in  which 
his  other  eighty  acres  arc.  In  his  life  he  has  by  hard  woik,  and 
the  ])ractice  of  economy,  secured  to  himself  a comfortable  com- 
petency, which  has  all  been  the  accumulation  of  his  own  toil.  In 
his  neighborhood,  where  he  is  best  known,  he  is  regarded  as  an 
honest  man  and  a worthy  citizen. 


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Farm  Residenceof  JOHN  C.  HITECH  AFT,  S ec.  3 I,Tp.  14,  R .3.  (South  ForhTr.j  CnRisTiAhi  Co.,  Ill 


HISTORY  OF  CHRISTIAN  COUNTY,  ILLINOIS. 


167 


Among  the  old  settlers  and  prominent  agriculturists  of  Christian 
county  that  deserves  mention  in  this  work  is  John  C.  White- 
craft.  He  was  born  in  Bath  county,  Kentucky,  March  10th,  1824. 
He  was  the  son  of  John  and  Rachel  Whitecraft ; his  ancestry  on 
the  paternal  side  are  of  Irish,  and  on  the  maternal,  English  extrac- 
tion. But  his  forefathers  settled  in  America  long  prior  to  the  Re- 
volutionary war.  John  Whitecraft,  the  father  of  the  subject 
of  our  sketch,  was  born  in  West  Tennessee;  his  father’s  name 
was  also  John,  who  was  a native  of  Pennsylvania,  and  emi- 
grated to  Tennessee  at  an  early  day,  where  he  lived  for  a 
number  of  years ; he  then  removed  to  Bath  county,  Kentucky  ; his 
son  John,  the  father  of  John  C.,  was  then  a child  of  five  years  of 
age.  He  grew  to  manhood  in  Bath  county,  and  was  married  there 
to  Rachel  Arnett,  a native  Kentuckian ; her  father,  Ahijah  Arnett, 
was  a native  of  Virginia ; he  emigrated  to  Clark  county,  Kentucky, 
at  an  early  day,  when  Kentucky  was  inhabited  principally  by  the 
Indians.  Mr.  Arnett  returned  to  his  native  land  to  obtain  suffi- 
cient money  to  enter  land  in  Kentucky.  As  he  was  making  the 
journey  back  from  Virginia  to  Kentucky  alone  on  horseback,  in  a 
dense  wilderness,  he  was  waylaid,  murdered  and  robbed.  The  early 
settler  of  that  day  not  only  had  the  hardships  to  endure  incident  to 
a new  country,  in  making  improvements  sufficient  to  live  comfort- 
ably, and  watching  the  Indians,  but  they  were  constantly  in  dread 
of  desperadoes,  who  would*  commit  murder  and  robbery  with  im- 
punity, the  eonsequence  being  that  the  Indians  were  credited  with 
all  such  lawless  deeds  committed,  whether  they  were  guilty  of  the 
crimes  or^not.  John  and  Rachel  Whitecraft  raised  a family  of 
seven  children,  six  sons  and  one  daughter,  of  which  the  subject  of 
this  sketch  was  the  fourth.  John  Whitecraft  was  a farmer,  and 
raised  his  family  to  agricultural  pursuits.  He  emigrated  from 


Kentucky  with  his  family  to  Illinois  in  1835,  and  settled  in  what 
is  now  Christian  county ; he  located  on  section  25,  town  14,  range 
4,  where  he  improved  a farm  of  six  or  seven  hundred  acres,  and 
lived  until  July  24th,  1846,  when  he  died.  His  wife  survived  him 
nearly  thirty  years,  and  then  met  an  untimely  death,  as  her  father 
did  before  her,  but  under  unlike  circumstances,  upon  Sejitember 
23d,  1875.  She  had  been  attending  the  fair  at  Springfield,  and 
was  returning  home,  in  company  with  her  son  and  other  members 
of  the  family,  when  the  horses  became  frightened  and  unmanageable 
in  consequence  of  a train  passing  in  the  city ; the  wagon  was  turned 
over;  Mr.  Whitecraft  received  serious  injuries,  while  the  occupants 
of  the  wagon  were  more  or  less  injured,  Mrs.  Whitecraft  being 
killed  outright.  She  was  nearly  seventy-nine  years  of  age  at  the 
time  of  this  lamentable  occurrence.  John  C.  Whitecraft  was  be- 
tween eleven  and  twelve  years  of  age  when  his  father  settled  in 
Christian  county,  and  has  since  resided  within  a short  distance  of 
the  old  homestead.  His  advantages  for  receiving  an  education 
were  very  limited,  as  schools  at  so  early  a day  ■were  far  from  the 
point  of  excellence  that  they  have  since  attained,  but  by  close  ap- 
plication he  gained  a good  general  education.  He  went  to  the 
first  school  taught  by  Judge  Vandeveer,  in  the  Finley  log  school- 
house;  in  1836,  was  in  the  school-room  when  the  sudden  change  in 
December  of  that  year  took  place ; it  became  so  cold  he  could  not  go 
home,  so  he  remained  in  the  school-room  over  night.  That  cold 
day  was  his  last  day  at  school,  and  the  last  school  taught  by  the 
Judge.  At  the  age  of  twenty-six  he  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss 
Eliza  Jane  Williams,  upon  the  10th  of  January,  1850.  She  was  a 
daughter  of  Joseph  and  Judy  Williams,  and  a native  of  Sangamon 
county.  By  this  union  they  had  one  child,  Joseph  W.  Whitecraft. 
Mrs.  Whitecraft  died  March  16th,  1856.  Mr.  Whitecraft  was 


168 


HISTORY  OF  CHRISTIAN  COUNTY,  ILLINOIS. 


again  married  April  7th,  1859,  to  Mi’s.  Catherine  Crowder,  a na- 
tive of  Tennessee.  They  had  a family  of  four  children  born  to 
them,  one  of  w hom  survives,  namely,  Mary  Jane.  IMrs.  White- 
craft  died  Aug.  1st,  1877.  Mr.  Whitecraft  lived  at  home  with  his 
mother  until  his  first  marriage;  he  then  bought  the  farm  he  is  now’ 
living  on  ; gave  three  dollars  per  acre  for  it  and  began  farming 
for  himself;  a business  he  followed  successfully  until  the  fall  of 
1877,  when  he  turned  the  management  over  to  his  son,  Joseph  W., 
who  is  now  running  the  farm.  Joseph  w'as  married  Oct.  7th,  1874, 
to  Miss  Mary  E.  Smith,  a native  of  Kentucky  ; they  have  two  child- 
ren, viz:  Eliza  Jane  and  Bertha  Alice.  Mr.  Whitecraft  in  politics 
is  a stanch  republican  ; he  cast  his  first  vote  for  Henry  Clay.  He 
has  never  aspired  in  politics  nor  permitted  his  name  to  appear  on 
a ticket  for  election  to  office,  his  aspirations  having  been  solely  con- 
fined to  agricultural  pursuits.  Mr.  Whitecraft  is  a man  yet  in  the 
prime  of  life,  and  bids  fair  to  survive  many  years.  He  still  takes 
an  active  part  in  the  practical  pursuits  of  farming,  having  succeeded 
in  making  one  of  the  best-looking  farms  in  the  county,  his  dwell- 
ing possessing  an  air  of  comfort  and  luxury.  Personally  he  is  a 
genial,  pleasant  gentleman,  and  has  the  advantage  of  knowing  how 
to  live  after  suffering  the  hardships,  privations  and  discomforts 
peculiar  to  a life  of  a self-made  western  fermer. 


A.  A.  TAYLOR 

AS  born  in  Bath  county,  Kentucky,  October  17,  1818.  Charles 
Taylor,  his  father,  was  a native  of  Pennsylvania.  He,  in  company 
with  his  father,  removed  to  Tenness.ee,  where  they  remained  one  year, 
then  went  to  Kentucky,  where  the  father  remained  until  1856,  when 
he  came  to  Illinois  and  settled  in  Christian  county,  and  remained 
here  until  his  death,  which  occurred  April  13,  1866.  He  married 
Mary  Arnett,  who  w’as  also  a native  of  Kentucky.  She  died  Sept. 
3, 1868.  Tw'o  children  were  the  fruits  of  this  union — the  subject  of 
this  sketch  and  Sarah  E.,  wife  of  Presley  T.  Hardin,  wdio  is  a farmer 
and  re.sident  of  Buckhart  township  in  this  county.  Mr.  Taylor 
received  a fair  education  in  the  i)ioneer  schools  of  Kentucky,  and 
labored  upon  the  farm.  On  the  5th  of  February,  1845,  he  married 
Miss  Cassias  Workman.  She  was  also  a native  of  Kentucky,  and 
died  May  18,  1871.  Ten  children  were  born  to  them,  all  of  whom 
are  living.  Their  names  are:  James  M.,  who  married  Cynthia 
Adams,  now  a resident  of  Crawford  county,  Kansas;  IMary  B. 
widow  of  the  late  IVIilton  M.  Moores;  Rebecca  C. ; Emma  E.,  wife 
of  James  Perkins  ; EllaH.;  Sarah  E. ; Charles  H.;  Rachel  Dora  ; 
AVillie  E.,  and  Maxey  A.  Taylor.  In  March,  1874,  Air.  Taylor 
removed  from  Kentucky  to  Christian  county,  and  purcha.scd  a farm 
in  Section  18,  Town  13,  R.  3 AV.,  where  he  has  remained  to  the 
present.  Mr.  Taylor  is  a member  of  the  Presbyterian  (’hurch.  In 
politics  he  is  a democrat.  He  was  formerly  an  old  line  whig.  He 
cast  his  first  vote  for  AAJlliam  Henry  Harrison  in  1840.  In  1877 
he  was  elected  to  the  resj)onsible  position  of  supervisor  of  his  town- 
shij).  He  Inus  also  held  other  offices  in  his  township.  In  whatever 
position  he  has  been  placed  he  has  always  zealously  guarded  the 
interests  of  his  constituents.  Mr.  Taylor  as  a man  and  citizen  is 
greatly  resjiected  by  all  who  know  him. 


LEA  SON  ADAMS. 

Tiik  Adams  family  are  of  French  ancc.stry.  The  grandfather  of 
the  j)rcsent  sketch  came  over  with  the  Marqtiis  Dc  La  Fayette,  and 
with  him  fought  for  the  indepenilence  of  the  country.  After  the 
war  clo.sed  he  settled  in  North  Carolina.  His  son  Francis  rcnuiined 
there  until  about  the  year  1825,  when  he  removed  with  his 


family  to  AV^ashington  county,  Indiana.  In  1834,  he  came  to 
Illinois,  and  settled  on  Sec.  10,  T.  13,  R.  3 AV.,  where  he  remained 
until  his  death  in  1846.  He  married  Rebecca  Harmon,  who  was  of 
German  extraction.  She  was  born  and  raised  in  North  Carolina. 
She  died  in  1863.  Eleven  children  were  in  the  family,  six  of  whom 
are  still  living.  Leason  Adams  is  the  eldest.  He  was  born  in 
Ash  county,  N.  C.,  July  1, 1816.  AAJien  he  came  to  Illinois  he  was 
in  hi.s  eighteenth  year.  In  1836,  he  entered  the  land  upon  which 
his  dwelling  now  stands.  In  1838,  he  built  a house,  a part  of  which 
is  still  used  as  a sitting-room  for  the  family.  On  the  27th  of  Feb- 
ruary, 1840,  he  married  Amelia  Ralston,  daughter  of  Gavin  and 
Cynthia  Ralston.  He  was  a Scotchman,  and  came  to  America  when 
he  was  eighteen  years  of  age.  He  settled  in  AVashington  county, 
Indiana,  where  Airs.  Adams  was  born.  He  brought  his  family  to 
what  is  now  known  as  Christian  county,  in  1833  or  ’34.  He  was 
during  his  life  a prominent  man  in  the  county.  Ten  children  have 
been  born  to  Leason  and  Amelia  Adams,  nine  of  whom  are  still 
living.  Their  names  are  : Gavin,  a farmer  of  this  county  ; Francis, 
a farmer  and  resident  of  Crawford  county,  Kansas  ; Cynthia,  wife 
of  J.  AI.  Taylor,  farmer  and  stock  shipper,  Kansas ; Cecil,  farmer 
and  resident  of  this  county ; Rebecca,  wife  of  I.  .1.  l*erkins  of  this 
county ; AVilliam  B.,  farmer  and  resident  of  Crawford  county, 
Kansas;  Nannie,  James  and  Alexander  yet  at  home.  Alartha 
Jane  was  the  eldest  daughter.  She  was  the  wife  of  Alat.  Hardin. 
She  died  February  23,  1860. 

In  1848,  Air.  Adams  made  the  second  purchase  of  land,  and  since 
that  time  has  added  to  it  until  now  he  is  regarded  as  among  the 
largest  farmers  in  his  townshij).  He  was  formerly  an  old  line  whig, 
and  cast  his  first  presidential  vote  for  AVilliam  H.  Harrison  in  1840. 
He  remained  a whig  until  the  w’ar  when  he  joined  the  republican 
organization,  and  is  yet  a member,  politically,  of  that  body.  He 
represented  his  townshi])  in  the  Board  of  Supervisors  for  two  terms. 
AVhile  a member  of  that  body  he  had  the  reputation  of  being  a 
painstaking  and  efficient  officer,  and  one  W’ho  looked  carefully 
after  the  interests  of  the  people.  His  business  through  life  has 
been  that  of  a farmer  and  stock  raiser,  in  both  of  which  he  has  been 
very  successful.  He  .started  in  life  poor,  with  nothing  but  strong 
hands  and  energy  to  back  them.  The  fir.st  land  he  bought  w’as 
with  money  earned  at  hard  labor  on  a farm,  at  wages  ranging  from 
eight  to  twelve  dollars  per  month.  He  was  saving,  economical  and 
careful,  and  made  judicious  investments,  and  the  result  has  been 
success.  Both  he  and  his  excellent  wife  are  members  of  the 
Christian  Church. 


AVILLIAAI  F.  GORE. 

AVilliam  F.  Gore  was  born  in  Trigg  county,  Kentucky,  Oct. 
31st,  1828.  His  father,  John  Gore,  was  a native  of  North  Carolina. 
He  came  with  his  father  to  Kentucky,  where  he  married  Sophia 
Barton,  who  was  born  and  raised  in  the  latter  state.  In  the  fall  of 
1830,  he  came  to  Illinois  and  settled  near  where  Taylorville  now 
stands,  and  engaged  in  farming.  He  subsequently  removed  to  Sec. 
12,  T.  13,  R.  3 AV.,  where  he  remained  until  his  death,  which  oc- 
curred Dec.  16th,  1856.  His  wife  died  soon  after  he  came  to  Illi- 
noi.s.  He  afterwards  married  Alary  Young.  By  the  first  marriage 
there  were  eight  children,  six  of  whom  arc  living.  By  the  latter 
there  was  one  child,  a daughter.  The  subject  of  this  sketch  re- 
ceived a limited  education  in  the  subscription  schools  of  the  county. 
He  remained  at  home  at  work  upon  the  farm  until  the  breaking  out 
of  the  late  war,  when  on  the  8th  of  July,  1862,  he  entered  as  a pri- 
vate in  Co.  “A”  115th  Regiment  U.  S.  Infantry.  Upon  the 
organization  of  the  comiiany  he  was  elected  Second  Sergeant. 


V 


• ■ 


4 

f h*  Library 
of  the 

Uwbreratty  of  IlllftoU 


HISTORY  OF  CHRISTIAN  COUNTY,  ILLINOIS. 


1G9 


On  tlie  28tli  of  February,  1863,  lie  was  promoted  to  First  Sergeant 
of  the  eompany.  He  remained  in  tlie  service  until  the  close  of  the 
war,  and  was  mustered  out  June  11th,  1865.  The  regiment  rendez- 
voused at  Camp  Butler,  and  from  there  was  ordered  to  Covington, 
Ky.,  and  during  the  winter  was  on  duty  in  different  parts  of  the 
state.  From  Louisville  the  regiment  embarked  in  transports,  and 
went  down  the  Ohio  river  and  up  the  Cumberland  to  Nashville, 
Tennessee.  The  regiment  was  a part  of  what  was  known  as  Gen- 
eral Granger’s  Reserve  Corjis.  Gen.  Heard  was  the  first  Brigade 
Commander.  The  first  regular  battle  in  which  the  regiment  par- 
ticipated was  at  Chickamauga,  where  they  suffered  severely  in  killed 
and  wounded.  Company  A.  entered  the  battle  with  forty-eight  men 
in  the  ranks,  and  after  the  battle  the  next  morning  but  twenty-four 
reported  for  duty.  After  this  battle  the  regiment  became  a part  of  the 
Second  Division,  Fourth  Army  Corps,  under  command  of  Gen. 
Stanley,  attached  to  the  army  under  Gen.  George  H.  Thomas.  At 
Kesaca  the  115th  and  two  other  regiments  were  charged  upon  by 
an  entire  Division  of  the  rebel  forces.  In  the  language  of  the  sub- 
ject of  this  sketch,  it  was  the  “ hottest  place  he  ever  was  in.”  After 
the  siege  and  capture  of  Atlanta  the  regiment  went  back  to  Nash- 
ville, and  assisted  in  the  defeat  and  annihilation  of  Hood's  army, 
and  pursued  him  to  Huntsville,  Ala.  The  pursuit  lasted  from  the 
17th  of  December  to  the  6th  of  January.  From  Huntsville  they 
moved  up  to  Ball’s  Gap  in  anticipation  of  meeting  Johnson,  and 
from  there  to  Camp  Harker,  Nashville,  where  the  regiment  was 
mustered  out,  and  returned  home.  Mr.  Gore  was  badly  wounded 
on  the  20th  of  September,  1863,  at  the  battle  of  Chickamauga.  He 
went  back  to  Nashville  where  he  was  placed  in  the  hospital.  After 
his  recovery  he  rejoined  his  regiment  at  Shell  Mound,  Tennessee. 
That  was  the  only  time  he  was  ab.sent  from  duty.  He  participated 
in  every  battle  in  which  his  regiment  engaged.  That  Mr.  Gore 
was  a gallant  and  brave  soldier,  we  have  no  doubt.  He  belonged 
to  that  class  of  western  farm  boys  that  went  out  to  do  service  for 
their  country  from  a sense  of  duty.  They  were  steady,  quiet, 
orderly  men.  They  had  that  cool  courage  that  often  turned 
threatened  disaster  into  victory.  When  they  Avent  into  line  of 
battle  they  went  there  to  stay.  Their  wiry-nerved  physical  frames 
could  stand  any  amount  of  exposure  and  fatigue.  In  short,  there 
Avas  never  marshaled  on  this  continent  or  any  other,  a more  brave 
intelligent  body  of  men,  Avho  Avere  cooler  in  action  or  more  resistless 
in  a charge  than  the  Avestern  yeomanry  in  the  late  Avar. 

In  politics  Mr.  Gore  is  a republican.  He  voted  for  Gen.  Zachary 
Taylor  in  1848.  He  is  a farmer.  That  has  been  the  business  of 
his  life.  Mr.  Gore  is  a man  Avho  is  respected  by  the  entire  com- 
munity and  Avherever  known. 


GRIN  GIFFORD. 

The  Gifford  family  are  natives  of  Ncav  York.  Joshua  Gifford 
married  Phebe  Lampman.  He  remoA^ed  to  Ohio  in  1831,  and 
settled  in  DelaAvare  county,  in  the  toAvn  of  Berkshire.  In  1840  he 
removed  to  Jay  county,  Indiana,  Avhere  he  died  in  1853.  The  sub- 
ject of  this  .'^etch  is  the  third  in  a family  of  six  children,  five  of 
Avhom  are  living.  Corydon,  the  youngest  son,  Avas  a member  of  the 
32d  Regiment  Illinois  Volunteers,  and  Avas  killed  in  the  battle  of 
Shiloh.  Orin  Avas  born  in  DelaAvare  county,  Ohio,  November  3d, 
1835,  and  remained  at  home  until  after  the  death  of  his  father, 
Avhen  he  came  to  Alton,  Illinois.  After  remaining  there  one  year 
he  Avent  to  Greene  county,  where  he  remained  tAvo  years.  He  Avas 
then  for  a Avhile  a resident  of  Macoupin  county.  In  June  1858,  he 
married  Matilda  Jones,  who  Avas  a resident  of  Macoupin  county  at 
the  time  of  her  marriage.  He  removed  Avith  his  family  to  loAva, 
22 


Avhere  he  remained  eighteen  months,  and  then  returned  to  Macoupin 
county  again,  and  remained  there  until  March  1st,  1874,  Avhen 
he  removed  to  Christian  county,  Illinois,  and  settled  in  South 
Fork  township,  Avhere  he  bought  land  and  has  continued  to 
reside  to  the  present  time.  His  marriage  has  been  blessed  Avith  two 
children,  one  living  named  Ro.salie.  Nancy  died  at  nine  years  of 
age.  Mr.  G.,  and  his  Avife  arc  members  of  the  Baptist  church. 
He  is  also  a jnember  of  Fayette  Lodge  No.  107,  order  of  A.  F.  and 
A M.  He  was  elected  Justice  of  the  Peace  for  his  toAvnship  in 
1878,  and  is  the  present  incumbent.  He  is  a man  Avho  is  univer- 
sally respected  in  the  community  in  Avhich  he  resides. 


ALEXANDER  RALSTON. 

The  subject  of  this  sketch  Awas  born  in  Washington  county,  In- 
diana, October  1st,  1819.  GaA'in  Ralston,  his  father,  Avas  a Scotch- 
man by  birth,  and  Avas  educated  in  the  best  schools  of  Edinburgh. 
He  came  to  America  in  1813,  and  settled  in  South  Carolina,  Avhere 
he  Avas  overseer  of  a large  plantation  for  four  years.  After  this 
time  he  removed  to  Washington  county,  Indiana,  Avhere  he  engaged 
in  milling  and  carrying  on  the  distilling  business.  In  1833  or  ’34 
he  came  to  Illinois,  and  settled  in  section  three,  toAvn  thirteen,  ranee 
three,  Avest,  of  Avhat  Avas  then  a part  of  Sangamon  county,  noAV 
Chi’istian.  There  he  remained  until  his  death,  Avhich  occurred 
June  26th,  1845.  He  Avas  a man  of  more  than  ordinary  accom- 
plishments, Avas  liberally  educated,  and  was  considerable  of  a 
linguist.  His  business  qualifications  Avere  much  superior  to  his 
neighbors,  and  he  Avas  frequently  called  upon  to  make  calculations 
and  attend  to  business  Avhich  Avas  beyond  their  knoAvledge.  He  Avas 
one  of  the  first  county  commissioners  Avhen  Christian  county  Avas 
formed.  On  the  30th  of  October,  1817,  he  married  Cynthia  Van- 
deveer,  Avho  Avas  born  in  Adair  county,  Kentucky,  October  30th, 
1800.  Her  father,  John  Vandeveer,  Avas  a native  of  South  Carolina, 
but  came  to  Kentucky  Avhile  yet  young  and  settled  on  Green  River. 
In  1815  he  moved  to  Washington  county,  Indiana,  Avhere  Cynthia 
Ralston  Avas  married  as  above  stated.  Mrs.  Ralston  is  still  living 
on  the  place  Avhere  they  first  settled  in  1834,  and  is  a smart, 
vigorous  Avoman  in  full  possession  of  all  her  mental  faculties  despite 
her  four  score  years.  She  is  the  mother  of  ten  children,  four  of 
Avhom  are  living.  Alexander  is  the  eldest  of  the  family.  He  Avas 
fifteen  years  of  age  Avhen  he  came  to  Illinois.  His  brothers,  Gavin 
and  A.  V.  Ralston,  are  residents  of  CraAvford  county,  Kansas.  His 
sister,  Amelia,  is  the  Avife  of  Leason  Adams,  an  old  settler  and  sub- 
stantial farmer  of  South  Fork  toAvnship.  The  subject  of  this  sketch 
has  remained  on  the  old  homestead  to  the  present  time.  He 
is  recognized  as  one  of  the  old  citizens  of  the  pioneer 
era  of  this  county.  In  politics  he  is  a republican.  His  first  presi- 
dential A'ote  Avas  cast  as  an  old  line  Avhig  for  William  Henry  Har- 
rison in  1840.  In  1856  he  joined  the  republican  party,  and  since 
that  time  has  voted  that  ticket. 

IMrs.  Ralston,  the  mother  of  this  sketch,  Avas  formerly  a member 
of  the  Baptist  church,  but  is  noAV  a member  of  the  Christian  church. 

Mr.  Ralston’s  occupation  has  been  that  of  a farmer.  He  is  a 
plain-spoken,  hospitable  gentleman,  and  is  regarded  among  his 
neighbors  as  an  honest  and  trustworthy  man. 


V.  B CROWE 

Was  born  in  Sangamon  county,  Illinois,  April  8th,  1836.  He 
comes  from  an  old  and  patriotic  stock.  His  great-grandfather  Avas 
a soldier  of  the  Revolution,  his  father  of  the  Black  IlaAvk  Avar,  and 
his  brother  Upton  of  the  Mexican  Avar.  Joseph  CroAvl,  his  father. 


170 


HISTORY  OF  CHRISTIAN  COUNTY,  ILLINOIS. 


Avas  a native  of  Washington  county,  iMd.  He  came  to  Sangamon 
county  in  1834,  and  settled  in  what  is  known  as  Cooper’s  township, 
four  miles  east  of  Rochester,  on  the  Springfield  and  Terre  Haute 
road.  He  was  a blacksmith  by  trade,  but  afterwards  abandoned 
it  and  engaged  in  farming  and  stock  raising,  in  Avhich  he  was  very 
successful.  He  died  Sept.  10,  1865.  He  married  Mary  Ann  Dille- 
hant.  She  was  born  and  raised  on  the  Eastern  Shore,  Maryland. 
She  is  yet  living  on  the  old  homestead  in  Sangamon  county.  By 
this  marriage  there  were  fifteen  children,  eight  of  whom  are  living. 
The  subject  of  this  sketch  remained  at  home  until  April,  1863, 
when  he  rented  the  farm  owned  by  his  brother,  Mr.  Crowl.  He 
remained  there  four  years,  then  moved  to  the  place  where  he  now 
lives,  where  he  has  remained  to  the  present.  On  the  9th  of  Febru- 
ary, 1864,  he  married  Eliza  Crowl,  by  whom  he  had  two  children. 
Their  names  are  Helen  Elizabeth  and  Authur  Brittenbaugh  Crowl. 
IMrs.  Crowl  died  Dec.  14,  1875.  On  the  20th  of  June,  1877,  he 
was  united  in  marriage  to  IMiss  Mary  Catharine  Saunders.  She  is 
a native  of  Loudon  county,  Virginia.  Her  father,  James  N.  Saun- 
ders, is  dead.  Her  mother  is  still  living  in  the  same  place.  In 
j)olitics.  he  is  a thorough  and  sound  rcj)ublican.  He  cast  his  fir.st 
vote  for  Abraham  Lincoln,  in  1860,  and  has  steadily  voted  the  re- 
publican ticket.  IMr.  Crowl  is  among  the  prominent  and  influen- 
tial stock  raisers  of  his  township.  He  is  a man  who  enjoys  to  a 
large  e.\tcnt  the  confidence  and  esteem  of  the  entire  community. 


ROBERT  F.  COFLIN,  (Dec’d), 

AV  AS  born  November  6,  1811,  near  the  little  town  of  Skaneateles,  in 
Onondaga  county,  Ncav  York.  His  parents  died  when  he  was  (piite 
voung,  leaving  him  dependent  upon  his  own  energies  to  mould  that 
character  which  should  follow  him  through  life.  He  enjoyed  but 
few  advantages  for  an  early  education.  But  every  sheaf  of  facts, 
gathered  in  his  younger  days,  he  stored  up  fur  future  use,  which  in 
later  life  he  applied  in  counsel  to  his  rising  family.  Ills  early 
years  were  s])ent  in  (Jnondaga  and  Cayuga  counties.  New  York, 
working  on  a farm,  attending  school,  and  in  learning  and 
working  at  the  blacksmith  trade,  which  he  chose  as  his  vocation  of 
life,  up  to  1837,  when  he  came  to  Illinois  in  a one-horse  buggy. 
He  designated  Illinois  in  Ids  youthful  mind’s  eye  as  his  home,  and 
upon  his  arrival  being  well  plea.sed  with  his  choice,  after  viewing 
many  portions  of  the  state,  which  he  accomplished  by  horse  and 
stage,  finally  settled  in  Springfield,  and  gained  a livelihood  by 
‘•Striking  while  the  iron  was  hot.” 

In  1838,  he  married  Mi.ss  Charill  S.  Durwin,  who  has  borne  him 
twelve  children,  only  three  of  whom  are  now  living. 

i'rom  that  time  on,  many  of  tlic  early  settlers  of  Sangatnon 
county  will  remember  his  career.  He  prosecuted  his  trade,  though 
not  lucratively,  till  1819,  at  which  time  he  went  to  California,  in 
the  rm-h  that  is  so  memorable.  He  walked  more  than  2,000  miles 
of  the  route.  Tliey  were  six  months  on  the  road,  during  which  time 
lie  encountered  the  usual  hardships  of  the  western  bound  man, 
excc[)t  comliat  with  Indians,  which  their  little  band  fortunately 
eseai»cd,  though  very  narrowly  several  times.  An  incident  occurred 
when  the  company  with  whicli  lie  traveleil  came  within  one  or  two 
liundred  milesof  (heirdestination,  which  demonstrates  that  firmnc.ssof 
deci.sion  which  all  acfiuainted  with  him  knew  to  be  one  of  his  charac- 
teristics. Tlic  journey  had  been  long  and  tedious;  the  o.s.scous  frames 
of  the  oxen  supported  nothing  lait  yoke  and  hide.  4 he  major. ty 
of  the  party  "ere  in  favor  of  leaving  the  oxen  to  care  for  them- 
selves, aliandoning  the  wagon,  taking  what  they  could  carry  on 
their  backs,  and  eomiileting  the  journey  on  foot.  “l,”.said  he, 
while  once  relating  the  event,  “ seeing  that  such  a dis.solution  wouhl 


render  us  an  easy  prey  to  the  Indians,  told  the  boys  that  tho  e who 
wished  could  go,  but  I would  stay  with  the  team  until  the  journey 
Avas  completed.”  The  rest  of  the  party,  seeing  his  determination, 
resolved  to  stick  together  until  the  last;  and  when  they  arrived 
they  let  their  oxen  fatten  and  sold  them  to  good  advantage. 

He  returned  from  California  by  sea,  and  across  the  Isthmus  of 
Panama  and,  after  a voyage  of  four  months  arrived  at  Springfield, 
having  been  absent  nearly  two  years.  He  immediately  resumed  his 
former  labors,  bpt  he  only  Avorked  about  two  years,  Avhen  he  moved 
on  a fiirm  in  the  Avestern  part  of  Christian  county,  Avhere  he  resided, 
excepting  about  a year,  until  his  death.  This  has  been  the  most  quiet 
and  happiest  portion  of  his  life.  He  improved  his  farm  Avith  the 
choicest  of  fruits.  In  1861  he  traded  his  farm  for  another  adjoin- 
ing it  upon  the  Avest,  and  immediately  began  planting  forest  and 
fruit  trees,  so  that  it  soon  attbrded  conveniences.  In  1872,  in  com- 
pany Avith  his  Avife,  he  visited  his  native  state  for  the  last  time.  In 
the  fall  of  1874,  Avhile  coming  from  Taylorville  Avith  a load  of  lum- 
ber, he  Avas  thrown  from  the  load  Avhen  crossing  a culvert,  and  the 
hind  Avheel  of  the  Avagon  passed  over  his  back  and  shoulders.  From 
this  injury  heneA’er  fully  recovered,  and  it  finally  caused  the  stroke 
of  paralysis  Avliich  resulted  in  his  death  Dec.  7th,  1876. 


U.  R.  ALLEN 

Is  a native  of  Hardin  county,  Kentucky,  and  Avas  born  February 
14,  1809.  Elijah  Allen,  his  father,  married  Elizabeth  Scott.  Her 
family  Avere  from  Virginia.  On  the  paternal  side  his  grandmother 
Avas  a Kendall.  They  Avere  a prominent  family  of  Maryland.  Elijah 
Allen  moved  Avith  his  family  to  Missouri  about  1819.  He  returned 
the  next  year  to  Logan  county,  Kentucky,  Avhere  he  remained  until 
1820,  and  in  the  fall  of  that  year  came  to  Greene  county,  Illinois. 
One  year  later  he  moved  to  Sangamon  county,  and  stopped  one 
year  on  Sugar  Creek  and  made  a crop,  then  returned  lo  Greene 
county,  Avhere  he  stayed  until  his  death,  Avhich  occurred  February 
21,  1850.  His  Avife  died  January  13, 1849.  Both  Avere  living  Avith 
the  subject  of  this  sketch  at  the  time  of  their  death. 

U.  R.  Allen  remained  in  Logan  county  until  1830,  Avhen  he  came 
to  Illinois.  He  was  here  during  the  Avinter  of  the  deep  snoAv, 
and  recollects  it  Avell.  AVhile  on  the  road  helping  to  move  his 
father’s  family  from  Sangamon  county  back  to  Greene  county,  he 
Avas  notified  that  he  Avas  drafted  for  service  in  the  Black-IIaAvk  Avar. 
He  reported  fov  duty.  His  comi)any  Avas  a part  of  the  regiment 
under  command  of  Col.  Jacob  Fry,  and  belonged  to  the  third 
brigade,  Avhich  was  under  the  command  of  Gen.  Henry.  The  company 
entered  the  service  in  June,  and  Avcrc  discharged  the  last  of  August. 
He  remained  in  Greene  county  until  1835,  and  Avoiked  at  the  car- 
penter trade.  He  then  vyent  back  to  Logan  county  and  remained 
there  until  1841,  ayIicu  he  returned  to  Greene  county,  built  a 
Avagon-shop  and  Avorked  at  the  trade  of  Avagon-making.  He  also 
engaged  in  saw-milling,  farming,  etc.,  until  December  18,  1861,  Avhen 
he  came  to  Christian  county  and  settled  on  Sec.  12,  T.  13,  R.  3 W., 
and  engaged  in  farming,  at  which  he  continued  to  the  present  time. 
On  the  4th  of  August,  1836,  he  married  Eliza  Jane  Coifman.  Her 
family  Avere  originally  from  Penn.sylvania.  Her  father,  Adam 
Cotfman,  Avent  Avith  his  father  to  Tennessee  Avhile  yet  a boy.  He 
aftei-Avards  moved  to  Logan  county,  Avhere  IMrs.  Allen  was  born. 
Eleven  children  have  been  born  to  U.  B.  and  Eliza  J.  Allen,  six 
of  whom  arc  living.  William  Jackson  Allen  is  the  eldest  son;  he 
is  noAv  a resident  of  Farmer  City,  Illinois.  He  Avas  a brave  and 
gallant  soldier  of  the  late  Avar;  was  a member  of  Co.  “A,” 
(ilst  Regt.  Illinois  Infantry,  and  was  severely  Avounded  in  the  battle 
of  Murfrecsborough, 'rennc.ssec.  He  entered  the  service  in  1861, 


Tfce  Llbrifj 
of  the 
Untverelty  of 


The  Stock  Farm  and  Residence  of  AM. COUNCIL,  Sec.  29,  T . I A,  R.  3,  (South  Fork  TpJ  Christian  Co.,  I ll. 


IIlSrORY  OF  CHRISTIAN  COUNTY,  ILLINOIS. 


171 


veteranized  with  his  regiment  and  was  honorably  discharged  at  the 
close  of  the  war.  He  entered  as  a private  and  was  mustered  out  as 
2d  Lieutenant  of  his  company.  Samuel  Jefferson  is  a farmer  of  tliis 
county.  He  was  also  a soldier  in  tlie  late  war.  He  enlisted  in 
18G2,  in  Co.  “A,”  115th  Regt.  Illinois  Infantry,  and  remained  in 
the  service  until  the  close  of  the  war.  Mary  Melvina,  only  daughter, 
wife  of  Thomas  J.  Langley,  a farmer  of  Christian  county;  George 
I’.,  now  a resident  of  Kan.sas  ; Edward  D.,  a resident  of  South  Fork 
township,  and  James  Logan  yet  beneath  the  parental  roof.  Mr. 
Allen  in  religious  matters  does  not  subscribe  to  any  of  the  formu- 
lated creeds,  but  is  of  the  universalist  belief.  In  politics  he  was  an 
old  line  whig,  and  cast  his  first  vote  for  Henry  Clay  in  1832.  Since 
the  republican  party  has  come  into  exi.stence  he  has  been  a member 
of  that  political  organization.  He  is  not  a politician.  To  use  his 
own  words,  he  would  not  have  an  office  that  would  not  honor  him, 
or  accept  an  office  that  he  could  not  honor.  Mr.  Allen  is  a great 
reader,  and  is  therefore  a well-informed  man  on  almost  any  topic, 
lie  is  an  agreeable  and  very  entertaining  talker,  and  a hospitable 
gentleman.  He  has  accumulated  sufficient  of  this  world’s  goods  to 
make  him  comfortable  in  his  declining  years. 

GEORGE  W.  HARDIN.— (Dece.vseu). 

Was  born  in  Bath  county,  Kentucky,  June  17,  1842.  William 
Hardin,  his  father,  was  also  a native  of  the  same  state.  He  came 
to  Illinois  in  1860,  and  settled  on  the  Ulrick  farm,  five  miles  north 
of  IMrs.  Hardin’s  jiresent  residence.  He  afterwards  removed  to 
South  Fork  township,  where  ho  remained  until  his  death,  which 
occurred  February  15,  1874.  He  Tiiarried  Patscy  Flemming.  She 
died  March  6,  1863.  There  were  seven  children  in  the  family. 
George  W.  was  the  sixth.  He  remained  at  home  until  1861, 
when  he  enlisted  in  Co.  “ K,”  124th  Regt.  Ills.  Vols.  as  a private. 
He  remained  in  the  service  until  the  close  of  the  war.  On  the  3d 
of  September,  1868,  he  was  united  in  marriage  to  l\Iiss  IMary  E 
Phillips.  She  is  a native  of  Sangamon  county,  Illinois.  Her  father, 
William  Phillips,  was  born  in  Baltimore,  IMaryland.  He  was  a 
young  man  when  he  came  west  with  his  father’s  family.  He  mar- 
ried Caroline  Smith,  who  was  born  and  raised  in  Sangamon  county. 
IMrs.  Hardin  is  the  eldest  daughter  in  a family  of  six  girls  and  one 
son.  By  the  marriage  of  Geo.  W.  and  Mary  E.  Hardin  there  have 
been  five  children  born  to  them.  Their  names  are:  Patsey  C.,  Allie 
B.,  Hiram  Herbert,  Rupei’t  Raymond  and  George  Oliver  Hardin. 

George  W.  Hardin  was  cruelly  and  foully  shot  by  a ruffian  named 
James  11.  Batty,  on  the  public  highway,  on  the  3d  day  of  March, 
18/9.  He  was  brought  home  and  survived  until  April  7th,  1879, 
wdien  his  spirit  took  its  flight  to  the  world  that  lies  beyond.  His 
body  was  followed  to  the  grave  and  buried  by  the  members  of  the 
Pawnee  Lodge,  No.  675,  A.  F.  & A.  M.,  of  which  body  he  was  an 
active  and  beloved  member.  His  murderer  fled  the  country  after 
the  confession  of  the  crime,  and  has  not  yet  been  apprehended  and 
made  to  answer  at  the  bar  of  justice  for  his  inhuman  act  Mr. 
Hardin  was  cut  down  in  the  prime  of  life  and  vigorous  manhood. 
He  was  aged  thirty-seven  years.  He  was  very  domestic  in  his 
habits,  a loving  husband  and  a fond  and  affectionate  father. 


A.  M.  COUNCIL 

Is  a native-born  citizen  of  Christian  county  ; he  was  born  in  the 
north-west  part  of  South  Fork  township,  April  27th,  1853.  He 
is  the  son  of  Aquilla  and  Sarah  E.  Council.  Aquilla  Council 
was  born  in  Halifax  county,  North  Carolina,  June  5th,  1805.  His 
father,  David,  emigrated  to  Tennes.see  about  1813,  and  settled  in 


Montgomery  county.  Aquilla  Council  was  raised  to  agricultural 
pursuits.  He  received  such  an  education  as  the  common  schools 
of  that  day  afforded.  At  the  age  of  twenty-two  he  was  united  in 
marriage  to  Miss  Sarah  E.  Melugin,  a native  of  Dixon  county, 
Tenn.  The  Melugins  were  early  settlers  in  Tennessee,  and  of  Irish 
descent.  After  his  marriage  IMr.  Council  began  farming  in  Tennes- 
see, and  in  1830,  desirous  of  moving  to  a country  where  land  could 
be  more  easily  obtained,  he,  with  his  wife  and  two  children,  emi- 
grated to  Illinois,  and  settled  in  Sangamon  county,  in  what  is  now 
Cotton  Hill  township,  near  the  South  Fork  of  the  Sangamon  river, 
where  he  remained  two  years  ; then  moved  about  four  miles  fur- 
ther up  the  river  and  settled  on  section  29,  town  14,  range  3,  and 
when  Christian  county  was  organized,  the  cut-off  from  Sangamon 
made  him  a resident  of  Christian  county.  He  improved  a farm 
upon  the  above  named  section,  where  he  lived  until  his  death,  July 
l-lth,  1857.  His  wife  still  survives  him,  a hale  and  hearty  old  lady 
of  sixty-nine  years.  They  raised  a family  of  seven  children,  five 
girls  and  two  boys,  viz. : Amanda,  Rebecca  E.,  Sarah  E.,  Elizabeth, 
Aquilla  M.,  William  T.  and  Amelia.  Mr.  Council  was  a man  of 
the  strictest  integrity,  and  one  in  whom  the  people  placed  all  confi- 
dence. For  about  sixteen  years  he  fdled  the  office  of  Justice  of  the 
Peace.  He  represented  his  township,  in  the  county  Board,  for  a 
number  of  years,  with  credit  to  himself  and  the  satisfaction  of  the 
people.  The  subject  of  our  sketch  now  lives  on  the  old  homestead, 
the  place  where  he  was  born.  At  the  age  of  nineteen  he  joined  the 
army  in  the  late  civil  war.  He  was  in  company  D,  under  Captain 
Daniel  DeCamp,  130th  Ills.  Yols.,  Col.  Niles  having  command  He 
was  in  the  first  brigade,  second  division,  and  thirteenth  army  corps. 
He  was  in  several  engagements  ; among  the  most  noted  the  siege 
of  Vicksburg,  and  battle  of  Jackson,  IMississippi ; in  the  engage- 
ment incident  to  the  Red  river  campaign,  was  taken  prisoner  near 
Mansfield,  Louisiana,  and  taken  to  camp  Ford,  Te.xas,  where  he  re- 
mained about  fourteen  months.  He  passed  his  twenty- first  birth- 
day in  this  prison.  After  his  exchange  he  was  sent  to  New  Orleans, 
but  was  subsequently  ordered  to  camp  Butler,  Illinois,  w’here  he 
was  mustered  out  of  service  at  the  close  of  the  war.  He  immediate- 
ly returned  to  his  home  in  Christian  county.  Christmas  day,  1868, 
he  was  united  in  marriage  to  Mi.ss  Martha  Williams,  a native  of 
Sangamon  county,  and  daughter  of  I.  B.  Williams.  By  this  union 
they  have  a family  of  two  children — Phoebe  and  William.  Mr. 
Council  is  one  of  the  pronnnent  young  farmers  of  South  Fork 
township.  A view  of  his  place  can  be  seen  in  another  part  of  this 
work.  In  politics  he  is  a republican. 


GEORGE  W.  WILLIAMS 

Was  born  in  Columbus,  Ohio,  Oct.  27th,  1824;  he  is  the  son 
of  Robert  and  IMary  Williams.  Robert  Wdliams  was  a native  of 
Providence,  Rhode  Island,  and  Mary  Smith,  his  wife,  was  a native 
of  the  same  place.  They  raised  a family  of  seven  chihlren,  (five  boys 
and  two  girls)  of  which  the  subject  of  our  sketch  was  the  fifth.  His 
ancestors  were  of  Welsh  descent,  and  Mr.  Williams  is  a lineal  de- 
scendant of  the  Puritan  Minister,  Roger  Williams.  Robert  Williams 
was  an  undertaker  and  builder,  and  brought  up  his  son  George  to 
the  same  business.  He  emigrated  from  Rhode  Island  to  Ohio  in 
about  1812,  and  settled  in  Franklin  county  near  Columbus,  where 
he  followed  his  trade  and  carried  on  a farm.  The  subject  of  our 
sketch  at  an  early  age  entered  his  aj)prenticeship  under  a man  by 
the  name  of  Boswell  ; he  remained  with  him  three  years,  then  emi- 
grated to  Iowa,  and  began  working  at  his  trade  in  IMuscatine  county, 
which  he  continued  for  four  years,  then  took  a steamboat  for  St. 
Louis  in  the  spring  of  1844.  He  remained  two  years  in  that  citv, 


172 


HISTORY  OF  CHRISTIAN  COUNTY,  ILLINOIS. 


building  and  contracting,  -ttherc  lie  lost  his  entire  accumulations  that 
he  had  gathered  together  in  Iowa,  by  placing  too  much  confidence 
in  a supposed  friend,  who  formerly  was  foreman  in  the  shop  where 
lie  first  learned  his  trade,  in  Ohio,  whom  he  met  upon  the  levee 
Avhen  landing  from  the  steamboat,  at  St.  Louis.  He  was,  of  course, 
much  elated  at  seeing  an  old  acquaintance,  and  they  immediately 
formed  a partnership,  which  continued  as  long  as  Mr.  Williams’ 
money  lasted.  At  the  expiration  of  two  years  he  found  himself 
without  a cent,  and  consequently  compelled  to  start  life  anew.  Un- 
der these  adverse  circumstances  he  then  engaged  with  the  American 
Hemp  Company,  doing  business  in  Sangamon  county,  Illinois ; 
he  went  to  that  county  in  the  fall  of  1846,  and  was  occupied 
in  putting  up  the  building  necessary  for  the  business,  and 
subsequently  ran  one  of  the  mills.  He  was  employed  by  this 
firm  about  two  years.  It  tvas  here  he  first  met  Mary  Hum- 
jihreys,  who  afterward  became  his  wife.  They  were  married  March 
18th,  1847.  She  was  a native  of  Fleming  county,  Ky.,  born  June 
0th,  1824,  and  was  the  daughter  of  Thomas  L.  and  Sally  Hum- 
phreys. The  Humphreys  ai’e  of  Welsh  descent.  Mrs.  Williams’ 
grandfather,  Owen  Humphreys,  was  a native  of  Wales.  His  father 
emigrated  to  Penna.  when  he,  Owen  Humphreys,  was  a child.  He 
subsequently  moved  to  Kentucky,  where  Owen  Humphreys  married 
a widow,  Isabel  Keith,  whose  maiden  name  was  Lee.  They  were 
married  in  Fleming  county,  Ky.  They  had  seven  childi-en  born  to 
them.  IMrs.  Isabel  Humphreys  died  April  12th,  1828,  in  Bath 
countv,  Ky.  Owen  Humphreys,  with  some  of  his  children,  came 
to  Sangamon  county,  Illinois,  arriving  in  the  fall  of  1828  or  1829, 
and  settled  three  and-a-half  miles  southeast  of  Springfield.  Thomas 
Jj.,  the  father  of  Mrs.  Williams,  followed  in  1830,  and  settled  on 
the  homestead,  entered  by  Owen  Humphreys.  Her  father's  health 
was  not  good  in  this  their  new  country,  and  he  returned  to  his  old 
place,  where  he  remained  until  1851,  in  which  year,  upon  the  eigh- 
teenth of  IMarch,  his  wife  Sally  died  ; he  then  moved  into  South 
Fork  township,  Christian  county,  where  he  died  Aug.  14th,  1864. 
^Ir.  Williams  came  to  Christian  county  in  1851,  and  continuing 
bridge  building  with  his  other  mechanical  operations,  worked  suc- 
ccs.sfully  in  this  line  of  business  until  I860,  finally  settling  down  to 
farming  life  upon  the  land  which  he  now  occupies,  to  which  he  de- 
voted his  whole  attention.^  He  has  an  excellent  farm  of  240  acres, 
with  substantial  house  and  good  outbuildings,  a view  of  which 
is  shown  in  this  work.  Mr.  Williams  has  one  daughter  living, 
Mary  T.,  the  wife  of  Charles  Payne,  who  resides  within  a short  dis- 
tance of  the  paternal  roof.  The  declining  years  of  INIr.  and  Mrs. 


AVilliams  are  brightened  with  the  companion.ship  of  their  two 
grandchildren,  Nellie  and  George,  who  pass  most  of  their  time  at 
the  home  of  their  grandparents,  between  whom  a strong  mutual  at- 
tachment exists. 

In  politics  Mr.  Williams  is  a republican,  casting  his  first  vote 
for  President  Lincoln.  In  social  life  he  is  a pleasant,  hospitable 
gentleman,  and,  together  with  his  wife,  enjoy  the  respect  and  good 
wishes  of  all  who  have  the  pleasure  of  their  acquaintance. 


WILLIAM  G.  GEORGE 

Was  born  in  Sangamon  county,  July  29th,  1839.  His  father,  Ed- 
ward George,  was  a native  of  Virginia.  At  the  age  of  six  years  he 
was  taken  to  Kentucky  by  his  father.  In  1831  he  came  to  Illinois, 
and  settled  in  Sangamon  county,  where  he  remained  until  his  death 
in  June,  1875.  He  married  Catherine  AVhaley,  who  was  of  Eng- 
lish descent,  and  a native  of  Bath  county,  Ky.  She  died  in  Sept., 
1855.  William  G.  is  the  eldest  of  the  boys  and  the  third  in  the  family, 
lie  remained  at  home  until  his  twenty-second  year,  when  he  enlisted 
in  Company  ‘ D,”  33d  Reg’t.  Illinois  Infantry.  He  entered  as  a 
private  for  three  years  service,  and  passed  successively  through  all 
the  grades  and  was  mustered  out  as  Seeond  Lieutenant  of  his  com- 
pany. He  entered  the  service  in  Aug.,  1861,  and  in  Jan.,  1863,  he 
and  the  greater  part  of  the  regiment  veteranized.  He  was  mus- 
tered out  and  honorably  discharged  in  December,  1865.  He  re- 
mained, and  participated  in  every  battle  that  his  regiment  was  in. 
Tlie  principal  engagements  in  which  he  took  part  were  Frederick- 
town.  Mo.,  Vicksburg  campaign  under  Grant,  capture  of  Jack- 
son,  Miss.,  and  the  campaign  against  Mobile,  and  its  defences  under 
Gen.  Canby,  and  assisted  in  the  cajjture  of  Forts  Spanish  and 
Blakeley.  The  regiment,  after  the  war  closed,  did  garrison  duty  at 
Vicksburg,  Yazoo,  and  Meridian,  Miss.  On  the  2 1st  of  February, 
1866,  he  married  Miss  Anna  E.  Phillips,  a native  of  Sangamon 
county,  Ills.  They  have  had  six  children,  five  of  whom  are  living. 
Their  names  are  Charles  C.  Owen  C.  Carrie  L.  William  E.  and 
Harry  1\I.  He  is  a member  of  the  Christian  Church.  In  politics 
he  is  a republican.  He  is  a strong  advocate  of  temperance.  He 
came  to  Christian  county  in  the  spring  of  1866,  and  rented  land  for 
nine  years  of  INIr.  Humphreys,  after  which  he  purchased  333  acres 
of  the  cast  half  of  Sec.  2,  T.  13,  R.  4 W.,  where  he  at  present  re- 
side.s.  He  is  among  the  prominent  farmers  and  stock  raisers  of  his 
tovviKship.  He  has  been  collector  of  his  townshij),  and  is  univer- 
sally regarded  as  a good  man  and  citizen. 


( 1 K K E N W O O 1 ) T O W N 8 TI I F. 


S one  of  the  southern  ticT  of  townships  in  the  county; 
lioundcd  on  the  north  by  Johnson,  east  liy  Rosemond, 
south  by  Montgomery  county,  and  west  by  Rick's  town- 
ship. It  i.s  well  drained  by  the  .South  Fork  and  it-s 
tributaries.  Along  the  margin  of  its  streams  is  considera- 
ble timber.  'J'hc  soil  is  rich  and  fertile,  timl  produces  Itirge  quanti- 
ties of  will  at,  corn,  rye,  oats,  hay,  |)ot:itoes  and  vegetables. 

Por  many  years  tlie  “ Fpper  South  Fork”  country,  as  it  was 
usually  denominated  was  s|iarsely  settled.  The  early  .settlers  reared 


their  caluns  along  the  skirts  of  the  timber,  whilst  thousands  of  acres 
of  wild  prairie  lands  adjacent,  remained  iii  their  native  state.  Un- 
entered, cheap  lands  seemed  to  be  a drug  iu  the  market.  The 
Government  [iricc  was  one  dollar  and  twenty-five  cents  an  acre. 
A noted  land  speculator  living  in  Hillsboro,  for  several  years  after 
the  organization  of  the  county,  competed  with  this  in  oifering 
timbered  lands  at  the  low  iiricc  of  .seventy-five  cents  an  acre,  with 
few  sales  even  at  that  figure.  It  was  not  until  after  the  year  1850, 
that  any  material  change  took  place. 


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HISTORY  OF  CHRISTIAN  COUNTY,  ILLINOIS. 


173 


The  beautiful  broad  acres  about  that  period  befran  to  attract  the 
eyes  of  emigrants,  and  the  eountry  rapidly  filled  up.  The  vacant 
lands  were  soon  entered,  and  prices  advanced  from  75  cents  to  $d, 
$10  and  $20  per  acre.  For  many  years  after  the  organization  of 
the  comity  this  whole  section  of  country  was  attached  to  Taylor- 
ville  precinct  for  voting  purposes.  This  was  a serious  inconvenience. 
Early  in  the  year  1852,  with  the  influx  of  emigration,  the  people 
made  a move  for  a new  Justice  Precinct.  The  petition  asking  for  it, 
signed  by  AVilliam  Linn  and  thirty-nine  others,  legal  voters  within 
said  territory,  was  laid  before  the  county  court  by  Henry  Riggs. 
The  prayer  of  the  petitioners  was  granted,  and  on  the  3d  of  March, 
1852,  an  order  was  passed  forming  the  ‘‘  Nevada  Precinct.”  It 
comprised  all  of  T.  11 — 2 and  the  south  third  of  T.  12 — 2.  It  was 
the  ninth  precinct  formed  in  the  county.  The  place  of  voting  at 
first  was  fixed  at  the  “Nevada  School  House,”  but  afterwards,  on 
the  4th  of  September,  1855,  it  was  changed  to  the  “Sassafras  School 
House  ” James  Pierce,  James  Linn  and  Henry  Riggs  were  ap- 
pointed the  first  judges  of  election.  Robert  S.  Welch  was  an  act- 
ing justice  of  the  peace,  within  the  bounds  of  the  new  precinct;  at 
the  time  of  its  formation  each  precinct  was  entitled  to  two  justices 
of  the  peace  and  two  constables.  Henry  C.  Dickson  was  elected 
the  other  justice,  Nov.  2,  1852,  and  at  the  same  time  Madison  Bus- 
by and  William  Linn  were  elected  constables.  Thus  was  organized, 
officered  and  set  in  motion  the  precinct  of  “Nevada.”  AVho  ori- 
ginated the  name  or  why  it  was  so  called,  at  this  date,  is  unknown. 
Amongst  its  oldest  settlers  may  be  mentioned  Mylo  Skinner,  Wil- 
liam Virden,  Duane  Skinner,  John  MeClurg,  Chris.  K.  Durbin, 
George  Wilcox,  Daniel  E.  Walker,  Bradley  Skinner,  Josephus 
and  Leonard  Durbin,  Madison  Busby,  Francis  J.  White,  Domenick 
Simpson,  H.  C.  Dickson,  John  Busby,  Peter  Klinefelter,  Old  Na- 
than Durbin,  AVilliam  Walker,  James  Pearce,  Robert  S.  Welch, 
James  A.  Dunn,  James  P.  AValker,  Ed.  R.  Skinner,  James  Linn, 
Cornelius  Klinefelter.  Daniel  Micenhammer,  John  IMiller,  Edgar 
]\I.  Thompson,  John  Carman,  Dr.  D.  C.  Goodan,  Jerry  AVelch,  a 
INIr.  McFarland,  George  Compton,  Peter  Oiler,  John  W.  Miller, 
H.  J.  Shaffer,  T.  L.  Bacon,  Henry  Riggs,  AVfti.  Linn,  Andrew  S. 
Miller,  and  Wm.  Shehara.  There  are  several  incidents  connected 
with  its  early  history.  On  one  occasion  several  of  its  citizens, 
among  whom  were  Mylo  Skinner,  Duane  Skinner  and  others,  made 
a trip  to  Taylorville  in  the  dead  of  winter,  in  a sled.  On  their 
return  in  the  evening,  a blinding  snow  storm  set  in  as  they  entered 
the  prairie  of  Johnson  township.  They  continued  to  travel  the 
whole  night,  supposing  all  the  time  they  were  making  a bee  line  to 
the  timber  in  a homeward  direction,  which,  when  reached,  they 
might  renew  their  reckoning.  To  their  utter  &ur2)iise,  in  the  morn- 
ing, they  found  they  had  traveled  round  and  round  within  a radius 
of  a mile.  They  all  suffered  very  much  from  the  cold,  and  Mylo 
Skinnci’s  feet  were  frozen,  and  he  had  to  have  a part  of  them  am- 


putated. In  1861  corn  was  a drug  in  the  market,  and  brought 
only  eight  cents  per  bushel.  A Mr.  Johnson,  of  this  precinct,  used 
a portion  of  his  crop  that  year  for  fuel,  as  a stroke  of  economy. 
It  was  published  in  the  papers  circulating  in  the  ea.st,  and  created 
not  a little  comment  and  astonishment,  at  the  wanton  destruction. 
In  1866,  on  the  adoption  of  township  organization,  the  precinct  of 
“ Nevada”  came  to  an  end,  and  was  succeeded  by  Greenwood  town- 
ship— embracing  all  of  Town.  11,  R.  2 west.  The  remainder  of 
the  territory  of  Nevada  was  absorbed  by  Johnson  township.  It 
was  named  Greenwood  on  account  of  its  beautiful  groves  of  timber. 
An  election  for  township  officers  was  held  April  8,  1866.  George 
AY.  Taylor  was  elected  supervisor;  James  Miller  and  Madison 
Busby  its  first  justices  of  the  peace.  The  lands  in  this  township 
were  originally  surveyed  by  Enoch  IMoore,  Dep.  L^.  S.  Surveyor, 
returned  and  certified  Jan.  25,  1819,  AA"ni.  Rector,  Sur.  General. 

AYm.  Virdiu  entered  the  first  land  in  this  township,  on  the  11th 
of  Feb.  1836.  They  were  located  on  the  AA^.  i,  S.  E.  I section  36, 
80  acres;  S.  E.  N.  AY.,  section  36,  40  acres,  and  S.  AA".  section  36, 
160  acres.  April  13,  1836,  Charles  Sprague  entered  the  AY.  J,  N. 
AY.  i section  21,  80  acres;  and  AY.  j S.  AY.  I section  21,  80  acres. 

Below  we  append  a list  of  township  officers. 

Supervisors — G.  AY.  Taylor,  elected  1866;  John  Miller,  1867, 
re-elected  1868,  ’69,  ’70  and  ’71;  A.  G.  Ament,  1873,  re-elected 
1874,  '75,  and  ’76;  John  AY.  Miller,  1877,  and  re-elected  1878,  ’79 
and  ’80. 

Assessors — Nathan  Stevens,  1876,  reelected  1877;  Madison 
Busby,  1878  and  ’79;  Chris  K.  Hamel,  1880. 

Collectors. — John  Morrison,  elected  1866 ; C.  K.  Hamel,  1867  ; 
AA’'m.  T.  Cheney,  1868,  and  by  re-election  held  the  office  up  to  1874  ; 
AATn.  Busby,  Sr,  1874;  C.  K.  Hamel,  1875,  and  re-elected  1876; 
James  R.  Busby,  1877,  re-elected  1878;  Madison  Busby,  Jr.,  1879, 
re-elected  1880. 

Town  Clerks — Geo.  Taylor,  1876,  re-elected  1877;  C K.  Hamel, 
1878,  re-elected  1879;  L.  Busby,  1880. 

Commissioners  of  HiglnvaijS. — D.  B.  Chumley,  1876;  AA^m  J. 
Pearson,  1877;  A\’’esley  Simpson,  1878;  James  Hawkins,  1879, 
AA’^m.  J.  Pearson,  1830. 

Constables. — Elisha  Compton,  elected  in  1877;  Isaac  Gorsuch, 
1877  ; James  A.  Hawkins,  lfe78. 

Justices  of  the  Peace. — James  Atiller  and  Madison  Busby,  elected 
in  1866;  H.  C.  Dickson  and  Madison  Busby,  1870;  George  Taylor, 
1873;  James  AY.  Estabrook,  1874;  AYm.  IM.  AYarren  and  George 
Taylor,  1877  ; Elisha  Compton,  1878. 

Greenwood  is  one  of  the  best  wheat  and  corn  producing  town- 
ships in  the  county ; also  con  iderable  attention  is  given  to  grazing 
and  feeding  of  stock,  which  forms  one  of  the  leading  industries  of 
the  people.  It  has  within  its  borders  many  well-improved  farms. 
Its  inhabitants  are  an  industrious  and  intelligent  class  of  people. 


BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES. 


THE  GOODAN  BROTHERS. 

Amoncj  the  younger  farmers  of  Christian  county  who  have  won 
success  by  untiring  industry  and  shrewd  business  dealings,  are  the 
Goodan  Brothers,  of  Greenwood.  Six  of  them  manage  the  farm  in 
partnership.  All  are  natives  of  this  State.  Their  father  was  Dr. 


David  C.  Goodan,  who  was  born  in  Bourbon  county,  Kentucky,  on 
the  9th  of  August,  1818,  and  was  the  son  of  Levi  Goodan.  The 
Goodan  fiimily  was  of  English  descent,  and  settled  in  Kentucky  at 
an  early  day.  AYhen  Dr.  Goodan  was  four  or  five  years  old,  his 
father  moved  with  the  family  to  Illinois  and  settled  in  Sangamon 


174 


HISTORY  OF  CHRISTIAN  COUNTY,  ILLINOIS. 


county,  -wliere  he  was  one  of  the  earliest  settlers.  By  reason  of  the 
absence  of  schools  in  Sangamon  county,  at  that  time,  he  was  sent 
back  to  Kentucky  to  be  educated.  He  studied  medicine  at  Louis- 
ville, and  after  fitting  himself  thoroughly  for  the  profession,  re- 
turned to  Illinois,  and  first  began  practice  at  Macomb  in  Mc- 
Donough county.  On  the  20th  of  April,  1837,  he  married  Catha- 
rine Von  Ostran.  She  was  born  in  Hunterdon  county,  New  Jer- 
sey, on  the  14th  of  June,  1819.  Her  father  emigrated  to  this  State 
in  1837,  when  Mrs.  Goodan  was  a girl  of  seventeen.  He  came  to 
Illinois  with  the  intention  of  making  his  home  in  Fulton  county, 
but  on  reaching  Springfield  an  injury  happened  to  his  horses,  and  he 
settled  in  that  place,  though  afterward  he  moved  to  Fulton  count}". 
He  was  a farmer  by  occupation. 

After  Dr.  Goodan’s  marriage  he  lived  for  a short  time  in  ]\Ic- 
Donough  county,  and  then  removed  to  the  town  of  Canton,  in  Fulton 
county,  where  he  practiced  his  profession  for  four  years.  He  next 
located  in  Springfield,  and  from  that  place  moved  to  Kentucky, 
and  established  himself  as  a physician,  at  Paris,  in  his  native  county 
of  Bourbon — the  heart  of  the  celebrated  blue  grass  region.  He 
resided  at  Paris  two  years,  and,  in  1844,  settled  at  Taylorville. 
Taylorville  was  then  a small  town  of  a few  families,  and  the  sur- 
rounding country  was  very  thinly  settled.  He  afterwards  prac- 
ticed medicine  in  Sangamon  county,  and  returned  to  Christian 
c.)unty  in  1857.  His  death  occurred  in  Greenwood  township,  on 
tlic  29th  of  July,  18G4.  He  was  a man  w ho  possessed  fine  natural 
ability.  He  had  acc^uired  an  excellent  education,  and  his 
attainments  placed  him,  as  a physician,  in  the  front  rank  of 
his  profession.  He  was  said  to  be  the  best  penman  in  Christian 
county,  and  for  a time  held  the  office  of  Circuit  Clerk.  Whatever 
faults  he  may  have  possessed,  none  could  deny  that  by  nature  he 
was  a man  of  a kind  heart  and  generous  imj)ulse,  and  that  his  in- 
tellectual qualities  fitted  him  for  a high  rank  in  his  profession. 

Ten  of  his  children  are  now  living,  all  in  Greenwood  township, 
with  the  exception  of  one  in  the  adjoining  townshij)  of  Johnson. 
Their  names  are  as  follows:  Sarah  G.,  now  the  wife  of  William 
Clunnley,  William  ; Mary  Gertrude,  who  married  Albert  Young; 
Louisa,  David,  John,  Fraidilin  J’.,  Albert  and  Charles,  who  are 
twins,  and  Julia. 

At  her  husband’s  death  iMrs  Goodan  found  herself  with  a large 
family  of  children,  and  with  no  means  for  their  support.  Their 
circumstances  were  extremely  straitened,  and  the  boys  w’ere  com- 
j)ellcd  to  find  places  on  farm.«,  where  they  could  earn  their  own  liv- 
ing. The  oldest  son,  Clarkson  (foodan,  took  charge  of  the 
family,  and  his  home  has  always  been  with  his  mother.  The  boys 
were  strong  and  healthy  ; they  had  been  raised  to  habits  of  industry, 
and  all  were  willing  to  do  their  share  of  hard  work.  The  first 
move  which  Clark.son  made  was  to  rent  land  on  the  prairie,  in 
Greenwood  township,  and  begin  farming  for  hinrself.  Albert  and 
Charles,  the  younger  boy. «,  have  always  lived  at  home,  and  they 
a-<si.sted  as  they  could  in  carrying  on  fiirming  operation.s.  The  other 
boys  found  cmjjloyment  with  other  farmers.  Having  saved  suf- 
(icient  money  to  justify  the,  attempt  to  secure  a farm  of  their  own, 
< 'larkson,  William,  1 )aviil,  John,  and  Frank,  togctln  r with  their 
mother,  bought  their  |)resent  farm  in  Greenwood  townshi]).  They 
went  to  work  with  a will,  and  in  sj)ite  of  ])oor  crops  and  bad  sea- 
sutis,  have  managed  to  succee<I.  'fhey  arc  now  in  a |)romising  finan- 
cial condition,  and  among  the  pros|)erous  and  ])rogre.«sivc  liirmers 
of  the  county.  Pesidea  carrying  on  general  farming  operations 
they  have  l»een  engagetl,  to  a considerable  extent,  in  raising  and 
flealing  instock.  During  the  la.-t  six  years  they  have  bought  and 
sold  large  numbers  of  cattle.  All  ar<'  shrewd  traders,  have  a sound 
judgment  of  >toek,  and  are  bn<ino.“s  men  of  good  capacity  Beside 


their  own  farm,  they  rent  additional  land.  In  the  year  1880  they 
farmed  a w hole  section  of  land,  and  raised  240  acres  of  wheat  and 
240  acres  of  corn.  All  the  boys,  with  the  exception  of  Charles,  are 
now  jointly  interested  in  their  operations.  Their  farm  consists  of 
228}  acres,  and  is  situated  in  sections  three  and  ten,  of  Greenwood 
township.  A full  page  view  of  it  may  be  found  elsewhere.  Charles 
was  married  on  1st  of  June,  1875,  to  Frances  V.  Shivers,  daughter 
of  Samuel  Shivers,  one  of  the  early  settlers  of  Christian  county, 
and  is  now  farming  in  Johnson  township. 

William  was  a soldier  in  the  army  during  the  war  of  the  rebel- 
lion. He  enlisted  in  company  G,  of  the  41st  Illinois  regiment,  and 
was  mustered  in  at  Decatur  on  the  5th  of  August,  1861.  After 
serving  with  his  regiment  for  fifteen  months,  he  was  detailed  for 
service  with  company  G,  of  the  1st  Missouri  Light  Artillery  regi- 
ment, as  acting  forage  master.  After  the  expiration  of  his  three 
years  term  of  enlistment,  he  served  in  the  31st  Illinois  regiment  to 
the  close  of  the  war.  He  was  in  the  Army  of  the  Tennessee,  and 
with  the  17th  Army  Corps,  and  took  part  in  the  battles  of  Fort 
Donelson,  Shiloh,  Metamora,  the  Siege  of  Vicksburg,  and  accom- 
panied Gen.  Sherman  on  his  celebrated  march  from  Atlanta  to  the 
sea.  After  the  Sherman  raid,  he  was  taken  prisoner  at  Goldsboro, 
North  Carolina;  for  a couple  of  weeks  was  a prisoner  at  Salisbury, 
and  was  exchanged  just  at  the  close  of  the  war. 

These  enterprising  young  men  have  the  satisfaction  of  knowing 
that  what  they  have  accomplished  has  been  by  their  own  efforts. 
As  self-made  men,  they  have  demonstrated  the  fact  that  it  is  possi- 
ble for  young  men  of  energy  and  industry  to  raise  themselves  from 
poverty  to  independence.  IMuch  of  their  success  is  perhaps  due  to 
the  efforts  of  Mrs.  Goodan,  who  has  always  endeavored  to  make  the 
best  of  the  circumstances  in  which  she  rvas  placed,  to  raise  her  sons 
to  temperate  and  frugal  habits,  and  to  furnish  them  with  such  edu- 
cational advantages  as  were  possible.  It  may  be  truthfully  said 
that  it  is  rare  to  find  a family  of  so  many  sons,  among  whom  bad 
habits  are  so  few,  and  industry  and  sobriety  so  generally  the  rule. 
In  politics  all  are  democratic,  with  the  exception  of  William,  who 
was  raised  a democrat,  but  returned  from  his  service  in  the  army  a 
republican.  William  is  also  one  of  the  officers  of  Greenwood 
township. 

JOHN  W.  MILLER 

AVas  born  in  Tuscarawas  county,  Ohio,  April  25,  1840.  His  father, 
John  IMiller,  was  of  Irish  descent;  was  born  in  Peiimsylvania  in 
1805;  and  in  1817  moved  with  his  father  to  Guernsey  county,  Ohio. 
His  mother  was  Harriet  Miskimen,  who  was  of  Scotch  and  German 
origin.  In  1 852,  Mr.  INIiller’s  father  moved  to  Christian  county, 
and  in  the  spring  of  1853  scttle<l  where  l\Ir.  Miller  now  lives,  in 
section  15  of  Greenwood  township.  At  the  time  of  making  this 
settlement.  Greenwood  township  had  hut  few  inhabitants.  About 
twenty  families  had  settled  along  tbe  timber.  Between  his  father’s 
house  and  Bana,  no  .settlement  had  been  made  within  a couple  of 
miles  of  the  direct  road.  His  mother  died  in  1852,  during  the  first 
summer  after  the  coming  of  the  fiimily  to  this  state.  His  father 
died  in  1864.  After  his  mother’s  death  Mr.  Miller  lived  at  various 
places  in  tbe  county,  and  two  years  with  an  uncle  in  Ohio.  He 
was  married  July  5th,  1864,  to  Julia  A.  Klinefelter,  daughter  of 
I’etcr  Klinefelter.  Her  father  was  born  in  Benn.sylvania ; moved 
from  that  state  toOhio,and  settled  in  Greenwood  township  in  1851. 
Since  1864,  Mr.  .Miller  lias  been  farming  in  Greenwood  township. 
He  was  first  elected  supervisor  in  1867,  and  served  for  five  succes- 
sive terms.  He  was  elected  again  in  1877,  and  has  rcprc.scnted 
Greenwood  township  in  the  Board  of  .Supervisors  ever  since.  He 
is  a republican  in  jiolitics. 


TheStock  Farm  Risidence  &c.of  GOODAN  BRO'S.,  on  Sec’s.  2 ,3,b<  10.  T.  I I.R -W.  GreenwoodTp,  CHRisrrAnCo.Ju. 
C.V.&OODAN,  W.M.G-OODAN,  D-C.CrOODAN,  J.  V.  &OODAN , F.  R GOODAN.  A.  GOODAN. 


V 


The  Llbrarj 

of  the 

Untwelty  of  llltaeh 


Library 
of  th« 


II I STORY  OF  CHRISTIAN  COUNTY,  ILLINOIS. 


175 


WILLIAM  ]\L  WARREN. 

Mr.  Warren  lias  lived  in  Greenwood  town.ship  since  1872.  He 
was  born  in  Piatt  county,  of  tliis  state,  on  the  1 7th  of  December, 
1847.  On  his  father’s  side  his  ancestors  were  Irish,  but  mixed  up 
with  Scotch,  English,  and  German.  His  great-grandfather  settled 
in  Delaware,  and  his  grandfather  settled  at  an  early  date  near  Cir- 
cleville,  in  Pickaway  count}",  Ohio.  His  father,  Bennett  Warren, 
was  born  in  Ohio;  was  married  in  that  state  to  Eliza  Donelson, 
and  about  the  year  1840  emigrated  to  Piatt  county,  Illinois ; he 
afterward  died  in  Shelby  county,  as  did  also  Mr.  AVarren’s  mother. 
AVilliam  M.  AVarren  was  the  youngest  of  a family  of  five  children. 
He  was  principally  raised  in  Shelby  county,  where  his  father 
removed  when  he  was  about  nine  years  old  ; his  education  was  ob- 
tained chiefly  by  his  own  efforts,  and  the  greater  part  of  it  after  he 
returned  home  from  service  in  the  army.  He  was  living  in  Shelby 
county  at  the  time  of  the  breaking  out  of  the  war  of  the  rebellion. 
In  November,  1863,  he  enlisted  at  Jacksonville,  in  Company  AL, 
3(1  Illinois  Cavalry.  At  that  time  he  was  one  month  less  than  six- 
teen years  of  age.  He  joined  his  regiment  at  Pocahontas,  Tennes- 
.see.  Part  of  the  time  his  regiment  was  attached  to  the  16th  Army 
Corps,  and  subsequently  to  General  AVilson’s  Cavalry  Corps.  He 
was  present  at  the  battles  of  AVest  Point,  Okalona,  Guntown,  and 
Tupelo.  For  a considerable  part  of  his  term  of  service  his  regi- 
ment was  employed  in  fighting  guerillas  in  Kentucky,  and  while 
there  the  men  saw  hard  service.  After  the  war  closed,  by  the  col- 
lapse of  the  Southern  Confederacy,  his  regiment  was  ordered  to 
Alinnesota,  arriving  in  that  state  in  June,  1865,  and  thence  was 
dispatched  for  service  against  the  Indians  in  Dacotah  Territory. 
He  was  discharged  at  Fort  Snelling,  and  returned  to  Shelby  county, 
Avhere  he  lived  till  1872,  when  he  came  to  Christian  county. 

He  was  married  on  the  24th  of  December,  1872,  to  Airs  Anna 
AI.  Aliller,  whose  maiden  name  was  Anna  AI.  Alorrison.  She  was 
born  in  Adams  county,  Ohio.  Her  first  husband’s  name  was 
Andrew  S.  Aliller,  by  whom  she  had  two  children,  Charles  E.,  and 
Andrew  J.  Aliller.  By  the  present  marriage  Air.  and  Airs.  AVarren 
have  two  children  living,  James  Bennett  AVarren  and  Emma  AA’ar- 
ren.  Rosa  Florence,  the  next  to  the  youngest  child,  died  in  infancy. 
Since  living  in  Greenwood  township  Air.  AA'^arren  has  been  engaged 
in  farming,  and  is  ti  man  who  stands  well  as  a citizen  in  that  part 
of  the  county.  He  was  elected  Justice  of  the  Peace  in  1877.  Lr 
politics  he  has  always  been  a rejmblican. 


CHARLES  AHLLER. 

AIr.  AIiller  has  resided  in  Greenwood  township  since  1865. 
He  was  born  near  Prusse-Alinden,  in  Pru.ssia,  on  the  31st  of  Alav, 
1842.  His  father,  Charles  Aliller,  was  a well-to-do  farmer  for  the 
old  country,  and  owned  about  two  hundred  acres  of  land.  His 
mother’s  name  was  Christina  Busking.  Air.  Aliller  was  the  next  to 
the  youngest  of  a family  of  ten  children.  He  went  to  school  till  he 
was  fourteen  years  old,  and  afterward  worked  on  his  father’s  farm. 
He  was  of  an  enterprising  turn  of  mind,  and  when  he  became 
eighteen  determined  to  emigrate  to  America  and  see  whether  he 
could  better  his  circumstances.  He  came  over  in  a steamer,  land- 
ing in  New  York  in  1860.  A man  named  Conrad  Leesaman,  who 
owned  a farm  in  Aladison  county,  in  this  State,  near  Edwardsville, 
came  over  in  the  same  vessel.  Air.  Aliller  accompanied  Leesaman 
direct  to  Aladison  county,  entered  his  employment  and  worked  for 
him  on  his  farm  for  five  years.  Alost  of  the  time  he  received  good 
wages  and  saved  his  money.  In  1865  he  bought  fifty-three  acres 
of  land,  which  is  included  in  his  present  farm  in  Greenwood  town- 
ship. In  the  spring  of  1865  he  moved  on  this  farm  and  began  im- 


proving it.  On  the  14th  of  February,  1867,  he  married  Frederika 
Kurlbaum,  who  had  been  born  and  raised  in  Aladison  county.  She 
died  on  the  Iflth  of  January,  1869.  His  second  marriage  took 
place  on  the  9th  of  Alarch,  1870,  to  Alary  Greenwood,  daughter  of 
AA^illiam  Greenwood,  who  was  born  near  Philadelphia,  and  was 
mostly  raised  in  Illinois,  and  was  living  in  Rosemond  township  at 
the  time  of  her  marriage.  Air.  Aliller  has  six  children:  Henry, 
Lizzie,  Anna,  AVilliam,  August  and  Caroline.  The  last  five  are 
children  by  his  second  marriage.  He  owns  253  acres  of  land,  233 
of  which  are  in  one  body,  and  twenty  timber  land.  For  his  success 
since  coming  to  this  country  he  is  indebted  to  his  own  energy  and 
industry.  The  assistance  which  he  received  from  the  old  country 
amounted  in  all  to  only  two  hundred  dollars,  and  the  remainder  he 
has  earned  by  hard  work.  He  stands  well  among  the  farmers  (jf 
Greenwood  townshi]).  He  has  always  been  a republican  in  ])olitics, 
and  first  voted  for  General  Grant  for  president  in  1868. 


ELISHA  COAIPTON. 

Among  the  old  settlers  and  leading  citizens  of  Greenwood  town- 
ship is  Elisha  Compton.  He  was  born  in  Coshocton  county,  Ohio, 
on  the  20th  of  October,  1838.  His  ancestors  were  of  English 
descent,  and  they  settled  in  Old  Virginia  at  a period  previous  to  the 
Revolutionary  war.  George  \A'.  Compton,  his  father,  was  born  in 
Culpeper  county,  Virginia,  and  was  married  there  to  Amelia 
AVood,  whose  ancestors  were  also  early  residents  of  the  Old  Domin- 
ion. Soon  after  his  marriage  George  AA’’.  Compton  started  with  his 
young  wife  for  Ohio,  and  settled  in  Coshocton  county.  This  was 
about  the  year  1818.  He  chose  as  his  location  the  point  of  land 
running  down  between  the  Tuscarawas  and  AA’'alhonding  rivers, 
which  there  unite  to  form  the  Aluskingum.  This  was  the  birth- 
place of  Elisha  Compton.  There  were  eight  children  in  the  familv, 
and  the  subject  of  this  sketch  was  the  fourth  in  the  order  of  his 
birth.  He  lived  in  Ohio  until  about  eighteen  years  of  age.  For  the 
boys  of  that  day  the  ordinary  district  schools  were  the  only  means 
of  obtaining  an  education,  and  not  much  attention  was  j)aid  to 
schooling.  The  whole  family  moved  to  Illinois  in  1856,  settling  in 
the  spring  of  that  year  on  section  32  of  Greenwood  township.  At 
that  time,  this  part  of  the  county  was  but  thinly  inhabited.  The 
improvements  were  confined  to  the  edge  of  the  timber.  The  prairie 
was  almost  entirely  without  settlements.  Before  the  family  left 
Ohio,  his  father  had  purchased  a thousand  acres  of  land  and 
had  a house  built  ready  for  occupancy.  His  father  lived  in  this 
place  till  his  death,  which  occurred  on  the  28th  of  January,  1877. 
His  mother  died  on  the  4th  day  of  April,  1870.  George  AA'^.  Comp- 
ton was  a man  of  great  industry  and  of  supoior  business  manage- 
ment. In  his  youth  he  had  enjoyed  hut  scanty  educational  advan- 
tages, but  possessed  good  natuial  abilities,  and  was  known  as  a 
shrewd  and  successful  trader.  He  had  no  ambition  for  public  life, 
and  was  better  suited  for  the  plain  career  of  a quiet  farmer.  He 
was  moral  and  temperate  in  his  habits,  and  was  respected  by  every- 
body who  knew  him  for  his  many  good  qualities  as  a neighbor  and 
a citizen.  He  was  a member  of  the  United  Brethren  Church.  In 
his  politics  he  was  a rcj)ublican,  and  had  been  a member  of  that 
party  from  its  first  organization.  He  accumulated  considerable 
property. 

Elisha  Compton  was  married  on  the  1st  day  of  November,  1860, 
to  Aliss  Ardenia  Ann  Teasley.  This  marriage  took  j)lace  at  Green- 
ville, Bond  county.  Airs.  Compton  was  born  in  Bond  county, 
October  30,  1841.  Her  father,  AATlliam  Teasley,  was  from  Ken- 
tucky, and  came  to  Illinois  about  the  year  1836,  at  the  age  of 
twenty-one.  Her  mother’s  name  before  marriage  was  Alartha  Ann 


176 


HISTORY  OF  CHRISTIAN  COUNTY,  ILLINOIS. 


Jett.  After  his  marriage  Elisha  Cumpton  began  farming  fjr  him- 
self, and  a couple  of  j^ears  afterward  moved  on  the  place  where  he 
now  lives.  He  owns  180  acres  of  land.  The  names  of  his  children 
are  : Martha  A.,  William  G.,  Mary  A.,  Liutisha  B.,  Henry  C., 
Alfarata,  and  Albert.  In  his  politics  he  has  always  been  a member 
of  the  republican  party,  and  his  first  vote  for  president  was  cast  for 
Abraham  Lincoln,  at  his  first  election  in  1860.  Although  he  has 
been  an  earnest  republican,  and  on  general  issues  has  supported  the 
candidates  of  that  party,  yet  in  local  elections  and  in  choosing 
township  officers,  he  has  always  felt  himself  free  to  vote  for  the  best 
man  for  the  position  without  regard  to  his  political  proclivities. 
He  was  elected  justice  of  the  peace  in  1878.  He  is  a member  of 
the  Methodist  Church.  As  one  of  the  representative  citizens  of 
Greenwood  township  and  one  of  the  old  settlers  of  this  part  of  the 
county,  his  name  deserves  a place  in  this  work. 


WESLEY  SIMPSOY. 

Wesley  Simpson  was  born  in  Harrison  county,  Ohio,  on  the 
9th  of  January,  1831.  His  father,  Alexander  Simpson,  was  a 


native  of  Huntingdon  county,  Pennsylvania,  and  was  si.x  years  old 
j when  the  ffimily  moved  to  Ohio  and  settled  on  the  Ohio  river  at 
I the  mouth  of  Short  Creek.  Mr.  Simpson’s  mother’s  maiden  name 
was  Eliza  Evans ; she  was  born  in  Ireland,  and  came  to  America 
with  an  older  married  sister  when  she  was  sixteen.  The  subject  of 
j this  sketch  was  the  third  of  a family  of  ten  children,  of  whom  seven 
were  boys  and  three  girls.  He  was  raised  in  Harrison  county, 
j Ohio,  and  in  the  spring  of  1852,  soon  after  he  was  twenty-one  years 
of  age,  came  to  this  State.  He  first  located  in  Pike  county,  and 
part  of  the  time  was  engaged  in  farming  and  part  of  the  time  was  a 
clerk  in  a store  at  Periy.  His  first  marriage  occurred  in  Tuscar- 
awas county,  Ohio,  to  Sarah  J.  Cheney.  In  the  spring  of  1857  he 
settled  in  Christian  county,  on  a tract  of  160  acres  of  land,  in  sec- 
tion twelve  of  Greenwood  township,  which  he  purchased  from  the 
Illinois  Central  Railroad  Company.  A view  of  his  farm  is  shown 
on  another  ]>age.  The  death  of  his  first  wife  took  place  on  the  30th 
of  May,  1873.  His  .second  marriage  was  on  the  6th  of  December, 
1877,  to  Martha  S.  Chene}%  who  was  born  in  the  city  of  Louisville, 
Kentucky.  In  politics  he  has  always  been  a republican,  and  is  one 
' of  the  representative  citizens  of  the  southern  part  of  the  county. 


PRAIHIETON  TOWNSHIP. 


ms  t )Wn.Jiip,  as  organized,  is  located  in  the  north-east 
corner  of  the  county.  It  is  formed  from  the  south  half 
of  township  fourteen,  and  the  north  half  of  township 
thirteen  north,  range  one  east  of  3d  principal  meridian. 
For  civil  purposes  it  was  attached,  and  formed  a jiart  of  Ston- 
ington  Precinct.  It  is  bounded  on  the  north  and  cast  by  Macon 
e )unty,  south  by  Assumption,  west  by  iSIay  and  Stonington  town- 
shi[).s.  The  government  surveys  were  made  by  William  S Ham- 
ilton, IT.  S.  Surveyor,  in  the  summer  of  1821.  At  that  jieriod 
the  region  round  about  was  one  vast  wihlernc.ss.  Clad  in  nature’s 
garb,  no  marks  of  civilization  were  to  be  seen  on  the  linings  of  its 
timbered  streams,  or  on  its  extended  prairies,  over  which  the  deer 
and  wolf  gamboled  with  all  the  freedom  of  their  native  wildness. 
But  as  soon  as  the  government  permitted,  emigration  was  on  the  move, 
and  almost  Itefore  the  footprints  of  the  Indian  were  washed  from  the 
soil,  the  tracks  of  the  white  man  were  made  ; and  then  the  “ prairie 
ship,”  (the  coveretl  wagons)  were  seen  traveling  over  the  beautiful 
jirairics.  This  was  the  past;  but  at  the  jiresent  time,  instead  of  the 
liutfalo,  the  deer  and  the  wolf,  its  jilains  arc  covered  with  herds  of 
catth;,  (locks  of  sheep,  and  large  numbers  of  swine.  At  (ir.st,  the 
spot  selected  l»y  the  jiioneer  was  not  always  such  as  was  sought  by 
I hr)se  coming  at  a later  date  ; convenience  to  wood  and  water  was 
taken  into  consideration,  iiinl  the  edge  of  some  grove  or  timber  on 
the  l''lat  Branch  was  the  location  generally  .selected  by  the  early 
emigrant.  I'or  years  after  the  adventurous  pioneers  entered  the 
beautiful  groves  and  woodlands  of  Piairieton,  the  prairies  remained 


in  their  native  garb.  But  now,  instead  of  one  vast  Iidand  sea  of 
prairie,  it  is  all  fenced  into  large  and  small  enclosures,  and 
dotted  over  with  farm  buildings  and  school  h.ouses.  Among  the 
]noneer  settlers  were  Aaron  McKenzie,  John  IMcKenzie,  George 
Jacob.s,  Sr.,  who  came  in  1838,  the  father  of  George  W.  Jacobs ; 
Michael  Schneider  also  came  in  1838  ; Samuel  McKenzie,  Jacob 
Trauber,  Martin  Stumbaugh,  Elijah  B.  Ilymer,  John  H.  Belyou, 
Daniel  B.  Ilymer,  Ellington  Adams,  came  in  1836.  Pious  Durbin, 
David  Simons,  Andrew  Simons,  Washington  Crooks,  Samuel  Wy- 
dick,  Henry  Porter,  .lames  Strain,  Frederick  Hammer,  in  1837. 
John  Young,  Job  B.  Davis,  Thomas  C.  Skiff,  and  R.  R.  Adams,  in 
1835.  These  jieoplc  had  no  postal  facilities  for  years  after  they 
settled  here,  but  had  to  go  to  Decatur  for  all  mail  matter.  The 
postage  on  a letter  was  25  cents.  Afterwards,  it  was  reduced  to  121 
cents.  Envelopes  were- not  used  ; but  they  folded  the  letter  sheet 
like  to  a ” thumb-paper,”  and  .sealed  it  with  a red  wafer.  A whole 
sheet  constituted  a single  letter,  hut  if  the  same  sheet  should  be  cut 
into  pieces  it  made  it  double,  and  jiostage  was  charged  accordingly. 

.John  Young,  and  his  son-in-law.  Job  B.  Davis,  made  the  first  tan 
yard;  it  was  located  in  the  south-eastern  part  of  this  township.  This 
was  a much  needed  enterprise  for  the  country  in  that  early  day.  It 
enahleil  the  old  settlors  to  procure  their  leather  on  a cheai)  basis — 
and  for  years  it  was  the  custom  of  each  family  to  do  their  own  slu  e- 
making  and  rejiairing. 

The  .settlers  in  the  early  days  were  greatly  inconvenienced  for  want 
of  milling  faeilitie.s.  They  had  to  go  to  Shelbyville,  S|)anglor’s  Mill, 


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HISTORY  OF  CHRISTIAN  COUNTY,  ILLINOIS. 


177 


near  Decatur,  or  Archies’  Mill  on  the  North  Fork.  There  was  a 
“horse-mill”  below  where  Ellington  Adams  settled,  owned  by 
Aaron  McKenzie,  which  was  a neighborhood  convenience  to  some 
extent.  It  was  a very  crude  affiiir,  and  consumed  a great  deal  of 
time  to  feed  it  by  hand.  The  caj)acity  for  grinding,  when  run  at 
full  power,  was  calculated  to  be  about  one  bushel  and  three  pecks 
per  day.  The  patrons  used  it  day  about,  in  turns,  or  rather  night 
about,  for  they  ground  mostly  at  night. 

Drainage. — Prairieton  is  well  watered  by  the  Flat  Branch 
and  its  tributaries.  It  enters  the  township  in  the  north-eastern 
corner,  and  runs  in  a south  and  westerly  direction  through  the 
township,  leaving  it  on  Sec.  6,  13-1  east.  The  j^rincipal  fork  of 
this  stream  heads  in  the  Grand  Prairie,  near  Assumption,  and  runs 
in  a northerly  direction  for  about  ten  miles — and  em])ties  into  the 
Flat  Branch  on  Sec.  35.  A.  D.  Northcutt,  a pioneer  settler  of  the 
county,  located  in  this  township  in  1851.  At  first  he  lived  on  the 
old  Hammer  homestead,  but  now  resides  in  the  north-east  corner  of 
the  township.  He  is  one  of  the  large  farmers  of  the  township,  and 
is  also  a preacher  of  the  Christian  denomination. 

On  the  adoption  of  township  organization  in  1866,  this  territory, 
for  the  first  time  in  its  history,  assumed  a regularly  organized  form. 
It  embraced  the  south  half  of  township  1 4-1  E.  and  the  north 
half  of  township  13-1  E.  embracing  36  square  miles  or  23,040 
acres.  The  soil  is  rich,  and  is  one  of  the  best  corn  and  wheat 
growing  and  grazing  districts  in  the  county.  At  the  first  election, 
held  in  April,  1866,  W.  M.  Eaton  was  elected  supervisor  and  B.  M. 
Burdick  justice  of  the  jieace.  The  other  justice,  John  D.  Brown, 
held  over. 

The  Illinois  Central  Railroad  passes  through  the  south-east  cor- 
ner of  this  township.  That,  with  the  Wabash  road,  aflbrds  shipping 
and  traveling  facilities  for  the  residents  of  this  section  of  the  county. 

The  following  are  the  first  lands  entered  as  shown  on  the  records  : 
T.  14  N.,  R.  1 E.— March  29,  1836,  Daniel  Wydick,  N.  E.  ■]  S. 
W.  i Sec.  35,  40  acres;  John  McKenzie  S.  W.  1,  N.  E.  4 Sec.  31, 
40  acres  ; Aaron  INIcKenzie  S.  f N.  W.  4 Sec.  27,  80  acres  ; and  E.  4 

5.  W.  4 Sec.  27,  80  acres,  all  on  the  same  date.  T.  13  N.  R.  1 
E.  March  29,  1836,  Henry  McKenzie,  N.  1 (Lot  1)  N.  W.  Sec. 

6,  40  acres ; same  date  .lohn  McKenzie,  N.  E.  4 N.  E.  4 Sec.  6, 
40  acres.  July  4,  1836,  Richard  F.  Barrett,  entered  four  or  five 
hundred  acres  in  Sections  6 and  7. 

The  following  is  a list  of  Township  officers  since  organization : 

24 


Supervisors. — William  M.  Eaton,  elected  1866  ; A.  D.  Northcutt. 
1867 ; .loseph  Adams,  1868,  and  re-elected  in  1869;  A.  D.  North- 
cutt, 1870  ; Geo.  F.  Rice,  1871  ; A.  D.  Northcutt,  1872,  and  re- 
elected 1873;  C.  D.  Burdick,  1874;  E.  S.  Valentine,  1875,  and  re- 
elected 1876  ; .Joseph  Adams  1877,  and  by  re-elections  has  held  the 
office  ever  since. 

Assessors. — A.  T.  Catherwood,  1876;  C.  T.  Chapman,  1877;  J. 
H.  McGrath,  1878 ; R.  R.  Gordon,  C.  T.  Chapman,  1880. 

Collectors. — Dudley  J.  AVatson,  elected  1866;  J.  B.  Gordon, 
1867 ; Bishop  A.  AA^ash,  1868  ; J.  B.  Gordon,  1869,  re-elected  1870 
and  ’71 ; Isaac  Bilyeu,  1872;  J.  H.  Bilyeu,  1873,  re-elected  1874; 
G.  AV.  Adams,  1875;  J.  H.  Bilyeu,  1876,  re-elected  1877;  P.  A. 
Palmer,  1878;  AA^m.  Wydick,  1879,  re-elected  1880. 

Toivn  Clerk. — B.  F.  AVetzel,  1876,  re-elected  until  1880. 

Commissioners  of  Highways. — H.  B.  Hurd,  1876;  George  Bilyeu, 
77 ; Alfred  Breggs.  77  ; R.  A.  Radford,  1877  ; E.  S.  ATilentine, 
1878;  George  Bilyeu,  1879.  Michael  AA^orkman,  1880. 

Constables. — AVilliam  Robinson,  elected  in  1873 ; AVilliam  C. 
Mauzy,  1874;  S.  M.  AA^orknian,  1877;  AVilliam  Robinson,  re- 
elected 1877  ; .1.  M.  Jacobs,  1878. 

Justices  of  the  Peace. — B.  M.  Burdick  and  AVm.  P.  Mauzy,  elected 
in  1866;  Dudley  G.  AVatson,  66;  Bishop  A.  Wash,  70;  Hawley  L. 
Reans,  70;  II.  L.  Reans,  re-elected  73;  AVm.  L.  Cohenour  and 
Peter  A.  Palmer,  73  ; Edward  S.  Valentine,  74;  P.  A.  Palmer  and 
J.  M.  Brown,  77. 

Among  the  older  settlers  of  Christian  county,  now  residing  in 
Prairieton,  may  be  mentioned  the  following — we  also  give  the  date 
when  they  came  to  the  county.  Jose])h  Adams,  a Kentuckian  by 
birth,  and  one  of  the  leading  farmers  and  stock  raisers  in  the  town- 
ship, settled  in  the  county  in  1837;  his  wife,  Nancy  M.  AVydick,  is 
a native  of  jMacon  county.  111.,  and  came  to  Christian  county  in 
1833.  The  venerable  Elder  A.  I).  Northcutt  is  also  among  the 
early  and  prominent  settlers  of  the  township  ; he  is  a native  of  Ken- 
tucky, and  settled  in  the  county  in  1837.  His  wife,  Mary  J.  Ham- 
mer, is  also  a native  of  the  same  state,  and  came  to  the  county  in 
1837.  Among  the  more  recent  settlers  may  be  mentioned  R.  R. 
Gordon,  also  a Kentuckian,  who  came  in  1856 ; Michael  AA’^ork- 
man,  in  55 ; E.  G.  Coonrod,  in  1861  ; Edward  S.  Valentine,  in  73  ; 
Theodore  F.  Malhoit,  in  57  ; John  Plain,  also  a Kentuckian,  came 
here  in  1855.  Prairieton  ranks  among  the  wealthy  and  well- 
improved  t(nvnshi2js  of  the  county. 


BIOGRAPPIICAL  SKETCHES. 


liiK  gentleman,  whose  portrait  heads  this  sketch,  is  one  of  the 
old  settlers  of  I’rairieton  township,  and  a native  of  Kentucky.  He 
luus  been  living  in  Christian  county  since  1837.  He  is  descended 
from  a family  of  English  origin,  who  settled  in  \'irginia  at  an  early 
date.  His  grandfather  on  his  father’s  side  emigrated  from  ^'irgiuia 
to  Kentucky  at  an  early  period.  His  father,  Ellington  Adams,  was 
born  in  Montgomery  county,  in  the  year  1804,  was  raised  in 
the  same  part  of  the  state,  and  died  when  he  was  at  an 
early  age.  He  married,  in  ^Montgomery  county,  Kentucky,  I'ili/.a- 
heth  (iorden,  who  was  also  a native  of  Montgomery  county,  Ken- 
tucky, in  the  year  1800.  Her  father’s  name  was  Kandel  (iorden, 
who  was  a native  of  the  state  of  \drginia,  ami  moved  to  Kentucky 
in  the  year  1701,  and  settled  in  Montgomery  county.  When  he 
made  his  home  in  Kentucky  it  was  then  wild  ami  un.settled,  and 
the  pioneers  exj)erienccd  considerable  diflicultv  with  the  Indians, 
who  were  y(’t  numerous  throughout  the  count rv.  4'hc  settlers  were 
oidy  able  to  farm  a little  ground  in  the  near  neighborhood  of  a fort, 
and  they  were  obliged  to  carry  their  guns  with  them  when  they  di<l 
their  plo\sing  to  guard  against  the  Indian  attacks.  When  Mr. 
Adams  re-visited  Kentucky  he  saw  on  the  ohi  farm  of  his  grand- 
father .six  Indian  graves  still  [)rcserved,  where  were  buried  six  In- 
flians  whom  meml)crs  of  the  family  killed  while  resisting  their  at- 
178 


tacks  in  the  first  years  of  their  settlement.  IMr.  Adams’  grandfather 
died  on  the  same  farm  on  which  he  settled  on  first  moving  to  Ken- 
tucky. iMr.  Adams’  father  lived  in  Kentucky  until  1834,  and  then 
moved  to  Sangamon  county,  Illinois,  and  went  to  |^irming  on  Lick 
Creek,  eleven  miles  .south-west  of  Springfield.  He  lived  in  Sanga- 
mon county  three  years,  and  then  came  to  Christian  county  and 
settled  in  a grove  about  a mile  north  of  the  timber  in  Prairieton 
township.  The  grove  was  known  subsequently  as  “Adams’  Grove.” 
He  li  ved  there  until  his  death  in  Februarv,  1870.  Ellinston 
Adams  was  a man  who  came  to  Illinois  with  but  scanty  means,  and 
at  the  time  of  his  death  had  accumulated  a sufficient  competence  to 
thoroughly  provide  against  all  the  wants  of  life.  He  owned  seven 
hundred  and  ninety  acres  at  the  time  of  his  death.  He  was  a man 
of  considerable  industry  and  economy,  and  bad  been  a good  citizen 
of  the  county.  His  widow  still  re.sides  on  the  old  homestead.  Ho 
had  ten  children,  of  whom  four  arc  now  dead;  six  are  living,  all 
of  whom  reside  in  Christian  county  with  the  exception  of  one  who 
lives  over  the  line  in  Shelby. 

.Iose[)h  Adams  was  born  in  Montgomery  county,  Kentucky,  on 
Red  River,  January  17th,  1833.  He  was  one  year  old  on  the  re- 
moval of  the  family  to  this  state,  and  about  four  years  of  age  when 
they  came  to  Christian  county.  He  has  consequently  been  prin- 


«r 


Ut  Libriry 

of  th«' 

Unfvfrulty  of  I1ll<*o4o 


Hi«  Ubrv)' 

of  the 

Ufifvenity  of  IIUMfi. 


f^LS-  and  Stock  Farm  of  E.  Q.  COON  ROD,  SfC./8,T.  f 3,  R,/,£/Pra/  ri  eton  Td,)  Ch  ristian  Co.,  III. 


HISTORY  OF  CHRISTIAN  COUNTY,  ILLINOIS. 


179 


■cijmlly  raised  in  this  county,  in  the  vicinity  of  where  he  now  lives. 
The  schools  of  that  time  were  of  rather  an  inferior  character,  and 
the  school  he  attended  was  three  miles  away  and  held  in  a little  log 
house,  with  puncheon  floors,  and  slabs  for  benches.  With  such  ad- 
vantages as  these  Mr.  Adams  managed  to  secure  the  foundation  for 
a good  education.  He  afterwards  attended  school  one  year  in  Mt. 
Sterling,  Montgomery  county,  Kentucky.  During  Mr.  Adams’ 
younger  days  railroads,  of  (course,  were  not  in  existence,  and  St. 
Louis  was  their  only  market,  and,  when  eleven  years  old,  Mr. 
Adams  was  pressed  into  service  to  assist  in  driving  the  hogs  to  St. 
Louis ; and  this  was  kept  up  every  year  until  the  building  of  the 
Illinois  Central  Railroad  in  1854.  It  required  from  seven  to 
twenty  days  to  drive  the  hogs  to  St.  Louis,  and  on  their  return  trip 
they  brought  back  a full  stock  of  groceries  and  store  goods  for  use 
until  the  next  trip.  Mr.  Adams  lived  at  home  until  his  marriage, 
which  occurred  June  9th,  1856,  to  Nancy  Widick,  who  was  born  in 
Macon  county,  near  the  Christian  county  line,  and  daughter  of 
Samuel  Widick,  who  was  from  Pennsylvania,  and  settled  in  Macon 
county  at  an  early  date.  He  had  been  a .soldier  in  the  war  of  1812, 
and  served  in  the  North-western  cam2)aign  against  the  Indians.  On 
the  breaking  out  of  the  war  of  the  rebellion  he  insisted  on  going 
into  the  army,  although  he  was  then  a very  old  man.  He  enlisted 
in  Company  G,  41st  Regiment  Illinois  Volunteers,  and  served  for 
two  years,  enduring  the  hardships  of  a soldier’s  life  with  compara- 
tive ease.  After  two  years’  service  he  was  taken  sick,  and  died  in 
the  hospital  at  St.  Louis  in  1864.  In  1856  Mr.  Adams  moved  on 
the  tract  of  land  which  now  comprises  his  present  farm  in  the  south- 
eastern part  of  Prairieton  township.  He  has  been  farming  there 
from  that  time  to  the  iiresent,  and  has  been  engaged  to  a eon.dder- 
able  extent  in  feeding  stock,  and  in  former  years  in  raising  line  hogs. 
He  is  the  owner  of  thirteen  hundred  and  sixty  acres  of  land.  IMr. 
Adams  is  a man  of  considerable  energy  and  business  capacity,  and 
one  who  has  made  his  own  way  through  life  principally  by 
his  own  eflbrts.  Pie  has  had  twelve  children,  eight  of  whom  are 
living:  George  W.,  John  Wheeler,  Florence,  Ii’a,  Jesse,  Eva,  Eliza- 
beth, Anna  May.  Three  children  died  in  infancy,  and  a daughter, 
who  married  John  Myers,  died  at  the  age  of  twenty-two.  In  his 
politics  Mr.  Adams  has  always  been  a member  of  the  democratic 
party,  to  whose  principles  he  has  closely  adhered.  His  first  vote 
for  president  was  cast  for  Douglas  in  1860.  He  has  been  engaged 
in  bu.siness  largely,  and  his  time  has  been  so  taken  up  that  he  has  had 
no  opportunity  to  take  any  active  part  in  politics.  He  was  elected 
a member  of  the  board  of  supervisors  for  Prairieton  township  in 
1867,  and  served  four  years.  He  was  elected  again  in  1876,  and 
has  filled  that  jmsitiou  to  the  present  time.  On  another  page  we 
give  an  elegant  view  of  his  farm  and  residence. 

EDMUND  G.  COONROD. 

In  making  mention  of  many  of  the  leading  farmers  and  repre- 
sentative men  of  Christian  county,  it  is  proper  that  we  should 
include  the  name  of  Edmund  G.  Coourod.  He  was  born  in  Greene 
county,  Illinois,  Sept.  5,  1832,  and  is  the  son  of  Stephen  and  Caudis 
Coonrod.  As  the  name  implies  the  family  is  of  German  ancestry. 
StejJien  Coonrod  was  a native  of  Grayson  county,  Ky.  The  father 
of  Stephen  was  also  a native  of  the  United  States,  and  spoke  Ger- 
man fluently.  At  an  early  day  he  settled  in  Kentucky,  where  he 
married.  He  subsequently  moved  to  Illinois  and  settled  in  Greene 
county,  in  1830,  where  he  resided  until  his  death.  Stephen  Coon- 
rod married  Miss  Caudis  Lee  while  living  in  Kentucky,  and  soon 
after  his  marriage  settled  in  Wayne  county.  111.,  and  subsequently 
removed  to  Greene  county.  Ills.  A few  years  prior  to  his  father’s 
arrival  in  that  county,  he  improved  a farm  west  of  Carrollton.  He 


was  one  of  the  pioneer  preachers  of  the  Baptist  church  in  that  part 
of  the  state.  In  the  history  of  Macoupin  county.  Ills.,  it  is  stated 
that  the  Rev.  Stephen  Coourod  preached  the  first  sermon  to  the 
pioneers  of  Scottville  in  that  county.  He  organized  a small  church 
in  the  south  part  of  the  township,  holding  his  meetings  occasionally 
at  the  residences  of  the  first  settlers.  He  died  in-  the  winter  of  1874 
or  ’75,  on  the  farm  he  had  improved,  and  where  he  had  resided  for 
nearly  half  a century.  Stephen  Coonrod  had  a family  of  ten 
children,  six  boys  and  four  girls,  of  whom  the  subject  of  our  sketch 
is  the  sixth.  Edmund  G.  lived  at  home  with  his  father  until  he 
was  twenty-nine  years  of  age.  During  his  minority  he  attended 
the  district  schools  of  the  neighborhood.  On  the  7th  of  February, 
1861,  he  was  married  6^  INIiss  Nancy  Doyle,  of  Greene  county.  Ills. 
Mr.  Doyle  was  one  of  the  early  settlers  in  the  above  county. 
Mr.  Coonrod  and  wife  have  been  blessed  with  a family  of  four 
children,  viz  : Edmund  D.,  Orson  P.,  Rena  B.  and  Mary  A.  Mr. 
C.,  immediately  after  his  marriage,  in  1861,  settled  in  Christian 
county,  where  he  now  resides,  on  the  land  which  he  had  previously 
entered  and  made  some  improvements  as  early  a.s  1857.  His  farm 
now  comprises  320  acres,  well  improved,  with  good,  substantial 
buildings,  a view  of  which  can  be  seen  on  another  jiage  of  this  work. 
In  politics  he  is  a democrat. 

JOHN  PLAIN. 

Mr.  Plain,  who  is  now  farming  in  Prairieton  township,  is  a na- 
tive of  Kentucky,  and  was  born  in  Muhlenburgh  county  of  that 
state,  December  1st,  1821,  the  third  of  four  children  of  David  Plain 
and  his  wife  Sarah,  whose  maiden  name  was  Ginch.  His  father 
came  to  Kentucky  from  Virginia,  and  was  born  in  the  state  of  In- 
diana. Mr.  Plain  lived  in  the  state  of  Kentucky  till  he  was  seven 
years  old,  and  then  his  father  moved  all  the  family  to  Illinois,  and 
settled  in  Morgan  county  four  miles  north  of  Jacksonville.  After 
living  there  two  years  the  family  moved  from  Morgan  county  to 
Macoupin  in  the  winter  of  1830-31.  They  were  overtaken  by  the 
deep  snow  on  Apple  creek,  and  were  compelled  to  remain  all  winter 
in  a log  house  which  had  only  one  room  about  14  feet  square,  with  a 
rude  chimney  built  of  sticks  and  clay.  Ten  persons  occupied  the 
room  a greater  part  of  the  winter.  The  snow  was  so  deeji  it  was  im- 
possible to  get  a team  out,  and  the  wood  to  burn  was  packed  on 
their  backs  as  well  as  their  corn  and  jirovisious.  As  soon  as  they 
could  start  they  made  their  way  across  the  prairies,  which  were 
covered  with  water,  to  Shaw’s  Point,  eight  miles  east  of  Carlinville, 
where  IMr.  Plain  ivas  raised.  His  father  died  there.  Mr.  Plain 
married,  in  Macoiqiin  county,  Mary  Ann  Workman,  a native  of 
Kentucky.  In  1848  he  moved  to  Sangamon  county  on  Lick 
creek,  and  was  farming  there  till  1852,  and  then  came  to  Chris- 
tian county  and  settled  on  the  Flat  Branch  in  Prairieton 
township;  in  1853  he  moved  over  the  line  into  Shelby  county,  and 
lived  in  that  county  till  1863,  and  then  came  back  to  Prairieton 
township  in  Christian  county,  and  lived  there  till  the  fall  of  1865, 
and  then  moved  to  Maryland,  but  returned  the  same  fall  to 
Prairieton  township.  In  1870  he  again  moved  to  Maryland, 
and  made  one  crop  in  St.  Clair  county,  but  came  back  to 
Illinois  tbe  same  year,  and  settled  on  the  place  where  he  now 
lives,  section  13,  T.  13,  R.  1 E.  His  first  wife  died  October  17, 1866. 
His  second  marriage  occurred  August  21, 1867,  to  Nancy  M.  Teeple, 
who  was  born  in  the  state  of  Tennessee.  Mr.  Plain  had  eleven 
children  by  his  first  wife,  of  whom  eight  are  living,  and  five  by  his 
second  wife,  of  whom  two  are  living.  In  politics  he  has  been  a 
democrat,  though  on  local  elections,  etc.,  he  has  sometimes  voted 
for  the  best  man  for  office.  IMr.  Plain  has  now  lived  fifty-two  years 
in  Illinois,  and  is  one  of  the  oldest  settlers  of  the  state. 


180 


HISTORY  OF  CHRISTIAN  COUNTY,  ILLINOIS. 


Amox(;  the  old  settlers  of  this  comity  none  better  deserve  men- 
tion in  this  work  than  INlichael  Schneider,  of  Prairieton  townshiji. 
lie  was  horn  in  October,  1812.  His  birth-place  was  at  Hdh-eined, 
about  eighteen  Knglish  inile.s  distant  south-east  from  Zweibrucken, 
in  Khine-Pavaria,  Germany.  Hdh-eined  was  about  fifteen  miles 
from  the  French  border.  His  father  was  also  named  IMichael 
Schneider,  and  his  mother’s  maiden  name  was  Mary  Schaeffer. 
HLs  mother  died  when  the  subject  of  this  .sketch  was  six  years  of 
age.  About  the  year  1821,  his  father  came  to  America,  ami  after 
four  years  sent  liack  for  his  children  to  come  over.  Michael  was 
then  thirteen  years  old.  He  came  over  to  America  in  a sailing 
vessel,  accom[)anied  only  by  a sister  two  years  older  than  himself. 
It  refjiiired  eighty  days  to  make  the  passage  across  the  ocean.  This 
was  in  the  year  182d.  Landing  in  New  York,  he  went  to  Bethle- 
hem, Pennsylvaida,  where  his  father  had  made  his  home  in  this 
country.  After  residing  two  years  at  Bethlelicm  the  family  removed 
to  Cincinnati.  While  living  in  (,'incinnati  he  married  Margaret 
Kaiitz,  who  was  born  at  the  village  of  Ispringon,  within  three  miles 
of  Ptor/.lieim,  in  Baden,  Germany,  on  the  21st  of  March,  181  !• 
She  wa-  the  <laughter  of  Cliristoplmr  Kautz  and  Catharine  Idchten- 
barger.  Her  father  died  when  slie  was  about  fifteen.  Iler  mother 
emigraterl  with  the  fandly  to  America  in  tlu;  year  1828,  when  Mrs. 
Schneider  wa.=  in  her  eighteenth  yeai'.  I'h’oin  New  \’ork,  where 
her  mother  landed  with  tlie  family,  they  went  to  Ibiltimore,  and 
after  a residence  in  that  city  of  ten  months  proceeded  to  Cincinnati. 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Schneider  were  married  on  the  1 1th  of  November, 
1833. 

He  was  cm])loyed  while  at  Cincinnati,  in  the  pork  house  of 
Andrew  Ileredis,  who  subsequently  moved  to  Sangamon  county  in 


this  state,  and  engaged  largely  in  farming  and  the  milling  business. 
Mr.  Schneider  was  induced  by  him  to  come  to  Illinois.  He  and  his 
w'ife  embarked  in  a boat  dowm  the  Ohio  river.  On  account  of  the 
Mississippi  being  frozen,  they  made  a stop  of  a few  days  at  Paducah, 
Kentucky,  and  as  soon  as  the  river  w'as  free  from  ice  ascended  the 
Mississippi  and  the  Illinois  to  Beardstown,  and  from  there  made 
their  way  to  Sangamon  county.  He  settled  on  Lick  creek,  twelve 
miles  south-west  of  Springfield. 

In  the  year  1837,  he  removed  to  his  present  location  in  this 
county.  Christian  county  had  not  at  that  time  been  organized,  and 
the  place  where  he  settled  was  in  the  county  of  Shelby.  The  old 
pioneers  thought  generally  that  he  had  made  a bad  location.  It 
was  commonly  believed  that  the  “ milk-sickness  ” prevailed  in  that 
locality,  and  his  few  neighbors  thought  he  would  soon  be  obliged  to 
remove  to  another  place.  There  were  few  settlements  then  in  the 
neighborhood.  A few  im])rovomeuts  had  been  made  along  the 
timber,  but  the  prairie  was  all  wild  and  uncultivated,  and  over  it 
roamed  wolves,  deer,  and  other  wilil  animals  in  large  numbers.  He 
would  have  been  considered  a rash  prophet  who  would  have  ven- 
tured to  predict  the  develo])ment  of  this  wilderness  into  the  rich  and 
prosperous  agricultural  country  which  now  greets  the  traveler’s  eye. 
The  nearc.st  market  for  hogs  was  in  St.  Louis,  about  a hundred 
ndles  away  It  usually  retpiired  eleven  or  twelve  days  to  make 
the  trip.  The  most  of  their  groeeries  and  provisions  were  also  ob- 
tained in  St.  liouis.  He  frequently  hauled  wheat  to  St.  Louis, 
obtaining  for  it  only  thirty  cents  a bushel. 

Mr.  Schneider  came  to  this  .state  without  any  means.  On  reaching 
Illinois  his  cash  capital  amounted  only  to  eight  dollars.  It  required 
hard  work  to  get  ahead.  The  first  ten  dollars  he  earned  after 


Res.  AND  Stock  Farm  or  MICHAEL  SC H NEI DEFt,  Sec.36,  T.  IA-,  R.  I,  E.  Prai ri  eton  Tp,  Christian  Co., I u. 


•u  J.' 


&€. . 


iF'T.  Lh4Fik^*'7Wi 


Tb«  Llbf«n 

of  th« 

V|«hr«rtlty  of 


HISTORY  OF  CHRISTIAN  COUNTY,  ILLINOIS. 


181 


coming  to  Sangamon  county,  was  by  making  brick  at  Springfield, 
tramping  the  mud  with  his  feet.  He  hauled  the  rock  for  the  first 
culvert  built  on  the  railroad  between  Jacksonville  and  Meredosia — 
the  first  railroad  constructed  in  the  state  of  Illinois.  By  selling  a 
horse  and  part  of  his  scanty  household  furniture  he  managed  to 
increase  the  amount  thus  earned  to  one  hundred  dollars,  with  which 
he  entered  the  eighty  acres  where  he  now  resides.  After  coming  to 
this  county  he  hauled  part  of  the  rock  used  in  the  construction  of 
the  first  statediouse  at  Springfield.  After  getting  his  farm  in  good 
shape  he  bought  cattle  at  Belleville  for  feeding  purposes,  an  experi- 
ment which  at  that  time  people  considered  would  not  prove  profit- 
able. He  was  accustomed  to  hai’d  work.  Although  his  education 
was  deficient  he  possessed  good  business  capacity  and  had  good 
judgment  about  stock.  For  a considerable  number  of  years  in 
partnership  with  men  named  Ketcham  and  Middleton,  he  bought 
stock,  and  by  careful  attention  to  business  and  persevering  industry, 
he  managed  to  better  his  condition  and  finally  to  accumulate  con- 
siderable property.  He  has  owned  large  tracts  of  land,  part  of 
which  he  has  divided  up  among  his  children.  He  .still  has  about  a 
thousand  acres  lying  in  one  body  in  sections  twenty-five  and  thirty- 
six,  Prairieton  township. 

The  children  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Schneider  have  been  eight  in  num- 
b('r.  They  have  anglicized  the  family  name  so  as  to  read  Snyder, 
according  to  the  English  spelling.  The  oldest  son,  INIichael  Snyder, 
was  born  on  the  23d  of  October,  1834,  and  is  now  farming  in  Shelby 
county',  near  Moweaqua.  Christopher  F.  Snyder,  the  next  son,  was 
born  on  the  29th  of  October,  1836 ; in  the  spring  of  1880  he  re- 
moved to  Kansas.  Margaret,  the  oldest  daughter,  was  born  on  the 
1st  of  September,  1839,  and  is  now  the  wife  of  Tom  C.  Pointing,  of 
May  townshi]),  one  of  the  prominent  stock  men  of  the  county. 
William  J.  Snyder  was  born  on  the  28th  of  May,  1842,  and  is  now 
farming  in  Shelby  county.  Valentine  Snyder  was  born  on  the  28th 
of  October,  1844,  and  for  a number  of  years  has  carried  on  the  bank- 
ing business  at  Moweaqua.  Peter  Snyder,  was  born  October  20, 
1847,  and  died  in  October,  1848.  Adam  Synder  was  born  on  the 
10th  of  January,  1850,  and  is  now  engaged  in  farming  in  Prairieton 
township.  Mary  Caroline  Snyder  was  born  on  the  2d  of  December, 
1853,  and  married  James  Gregory,  a merchant  of  INIoweaqua. 
Christopher  and  William  served  in  the  Union  Army  during  the 
war  of  the  rebellion.  Christopher  enlisted  in  the  41st  Illinois  regi- 
ment, and  served  over  three  years ; William  enlisted  in  the  116th 
Illinois  regiment,  and  was  discharged  by  reason  of  disability.  Ke- 
gaining  his  health  he  enlisted  in  the  navy. 

In  his  political  princiides  Mr.  Schneider  w'as  formerly  a member 
of  the  old  whig  party.  When  a young  man  he  had  a sincere 
admiration  for  Henry  Clay,  the  great  statesman  and  favored  son  of 
Kentucky.  He  was  a whig  as  long  as  that  party  lasted,  and  became 
a member  of  the  republican  party  on  its  organization,  voting  for 
Fremont,  the  first  candidate  for  the  presidency  presented  by  the 
republicans  for  the  suffrages  of  the  people. 

The  name  of  Mr.  Schneider  may  well  be  presented  to  the  readers 
of  this  work  and  to  the  rising  generation,  as  a man  who  has  been 
successful  by  dint  of  his  own  industry,  and  whose  success  has  not 
been  tarnished  by  any  suspicion  of  dishoiK)r  or  unfair  dealing. 
From  a small  beginning  he  managed  to  secure  a comfortable  com- 
petence. In  their  old  age  he  and  his  wife  can  look  back  over  a 
well-spent  life,  and  enjoy  the  fruits  of  long  years  of  successful  labor. 
Enterprise  and  liberality  are  conspicuous  traits  of  iVCr.  Schneider’s 
character.  On  the  building  of  the  Illinois  Central  railroad  in  1854, 
he  donated  land  to  induce  the  company  to  locate  a station  on  the 
site  of  the  present  town  of  Moweaqua.  This  town  was  laid  off  on 
his  land,  and  through  his  liberality  is  consequently  owing  the  fact 


that  the  i)rosperous  town  of  Moweaqua  has  its  present  existence. 
He  also  built  the  first  store-house  ever  erected  in  Moweaqua.  He 
has  been  careful  to  conduct  all  the  business  operations  in  which  he 
has  ever  been  engaged  on  a basis  of  the  most  rigid  honor  and 
strictest  integrity.  He  is  one  of  the  few  men  of  large  business  deal- 
ings Avho  have  never  been  plaintiff  or  defendant  in  any  suit  in  court. 
He  has  gone  through  life  without  incurring  any  enmities,  univer- 
sally res})ected  by  those  with  whom  he  has  been  brought  in  contact. 
He  was  raised  in  the  church.  In  his  early  life  he  was  a Lutheran. 
He  afterward  became  connected  with  the  Presbyterians,  and  for 
many  years  has  been  a Methodist.  In  early  times  his  house  was  the 
place  in  whicli  religious  services  were  held,  and  was  much  frequented 
by  traveling  Methodist  ministers,  to  whom  an  open  hospitality  was 
always  extended.  He  was  one  of  the  principal  contributors  to  the 
building  of  the  Methodist  Church  at  Moweaqua,  and  also  assisted 
in  the  construction  of  the  Assunq^tion  Methodist  Church.  He  be- 
gan his  career  with  the  belief  that  “ Honesty  is  the  best  poliev,” 
and  his  life  well  illustrates  the  old  truth  that  the  most  lasting  suc- 
cess is  only  built  on  the  sure  foundation  of  honest  and  fair  dealing. 


MICHAEL  WORKMAN. 

Mr.  Workman  has  been  a resident  of  Christian  county  since 
1855.  The  family  is  of  German  descent.  Jacob  Workman,  the 
grandfather  of  the  subject  of  our  sketch,  was  a resident  of  Mary- 
land before  the  Revolutionary  war.  He  moved  from  Maryland  to 
Kentucky  at  an  early  day,  and  settled  in  Bourbon  county,  where 
he  lived  until  his  death.  It  is  said  that  he  was  very  fond  of  hunt- 
ing, and  that  was  his  principal  occupation  from  the  fall  until  the 
spring.  David  Workman,  the  father  of  Michael  Workman,  was  a 
small  boy  when  the  family  moved  to  Kentucky.  He  afterwards 
moved  to  Overton  county,  Tennessee.  He  married  Lydia  Bilyeu, 
daughter  of  Peter  Bilyeu.  The  Bilyeu  family  was  of  French  de- 
scent, moved  from  New  Jersey  to  Kentucky,  and  from  that  state  to 
Tennessee.  His  marriage  probably  took  place  in  Kentuckv.  David 
Workman  emigrated  from  Overton  county,  Tennessee,  to  Sangamon 
county,  Illinois,  about  1829.  They  settled  on  Lick  creek,  fifteen 
miles  south-west  of  Springfield.  Mr.  Workman’s  father  died  in 
Sangamon  county.  His  mother  followed  the  father  a short  time 
afterward.  David  and  Lydia  Workman  were  the  parents  of  thir- 
teen children;  five  now  deceased;  three  are  now  living  in  Sangamon 
county,  three  in  Kansas,  one  in  Oregon,  and  the  subject  of  this 
sketch  now  living  in  Prairieton  township,  Christian  county. 
IMichael  Workman  was  born  on  Lick  creek,  December  5, 1831,  and 
raised  in  Sangamon  county.  The  schools  of  that  day  were  poor 
in  comparison  with  those  of  the  present.  The  families  were  mostly 
poor,  and  the  boys  growing  up  at  that  time  were  obliged  to  stay  at 
home  a greater  part  of  the  year  and  work  on  the  farm.  What 
education  Mr.  Workman  received  was  obtained  in  a log  school- 
house,  one  end  of  which  was  taken  up  with  the  fire-place,  with 
puncheon  floors,  and  split  logs  for  benches.  He  lived  at  home  until 
his  marriage,  which  occurred  October,  1851,  to  Julia  Ann  Bilyeu, 
oldest  daughter  of  John  H.  Bilyeu.  After  his  marriage,  IMr.  Work- 
man began  farming  for  himself.  He  lived  in  Sangamon  county 
until  July,  1855,  when  he  moved  to  Christian  county,  lie  sold 
his  property  and  stock  in  Sangamon  county,  w’ith  the  intention  of 
going  to  Kansas,  but,  instead,  bought  eighty  acres  in  townshiji  13, 
range  1 east,  Christian  county,  which  now  comprises  part  of  his 
present  farm.  He  has  since  been  living  in  this  part  of  the  county. 
His  first  wife  died  January  12,  1859.  He  was  married  again  to 
Hannah  J.  Workman,  daughter  of  Samuel  and  Belinda  Workman. 


182 


HISTORY  OF  CHRISTIAN  COUNTY,  ILLINOIS. 


Mrs.  Workman  was  born  in  Overton  county,  Tennessee.  Mr. 
W orkman  has  had  eleven  children — Nancy,  now  the  wife  of  Ste- 
phen Bilyeu,  Andrew,  farming  for  himself  in  Prairieton  township, 
David,  also  one  of  the  farmers  of  Prairieton  township,  John,  Lydia, 
now  the  wife  of  John  Wyckotf,  Francis  M.,  Peter,  Belinda,  Jacob, 
who  died  in  infancy,  Olive  J.  and  Joseph.  The  four  oldest  were 
children  by  his  first  marriage.  Mr.  Workman  is  one  of  the  farmers 
of  Christian  county  who  has  made  his  way  in  the  world  by  his  own 
industry.  He  began  life  with  nothing  on  which  to  rely  except  his 
own  energy.  By  dint  of  labor  by  the  day  in  Sangamon  county, 
he  managed  to  accumulate  a little  capital,  and  when  he  came  to 
Christian  county,  had  barely  enough  to  purchase  eighty  acres  of 
land  in  the  Flat  Branch  timber  and  l)rush  in  Prairieton  township. 
By  good  management  and  liard  work,  he  has  managed  to  get  along 
in  tlie  world,  and  now  has  a farm  composed  of  six  hundred  and 
sixty  acres  of  land  in  sections  4,  5,  8 and  9 of  Prairieton  township. 
Mr.  Workman  is  known  as  one  of  the  representative  farmers  of 
Prairieton  township,  and  his  farm  is  among  the  best  stock  farms 
in  the  county. 

In  his  politics,  he  was  a member  of  the  old  Whig  party,  and  cast 
his  fir.st  vote  for  president  for  Gen.  Winfield  Scott,  in  1852.  When 
the  Whig  party  went  to  pieces  he  became  a democrat,  and  has  since 
supported  the  principles  of  that  party.  He  is  a man  M’ho  attends 
closely  to  his  own  business  affairs,  and  is  favorably  known  in  his 
part  of  the  country  as  a good  busine.ss  man  and  an  upright  citizen. 


WALTER  P.  JtdHNSON 

Is  a native  of  Guernsey  county,  Ohio,  born  July  13th,  1836.  He 
is  the  sixth  of  a family  of  seven  sons  and  two  daughters,  of  Benja- 
min J.  and  Elizabeth  C.  (Foote)  Johnson.  Benjamin  J.  Johnson 
was  a native  of  London,  England,  and  on  arriving  at  the  age  of 
manlibod  he  emigrated  to  America,  and  settled  in  Guernsey  county, 
Ohio,  and  soon  after  married  Jllizabeth  C.  Foote,  who  was  a native 
of  Ireland. 

In  November,  1849,  they  removed  to  Greene  county,  Illiuois,  and 
settled  about  eiglit  miles  east  of  Carrollton,  where  they  engaged 
in  farming. 

In  1859,  Mr.  Johnson  and  family  removed  to  Christian  county, 
and  settled  on  land  which  he  ha<l  previously  purchased.  The 
homestead  farm  forms  a j>art  of  the  large  farm  of  the  Johnson 
Brother.s.  ^Ir.  Johnson  in  his  religious  belief  was  a (Quaker;  his 
wife  was  a member  of  the  Church  of  England.  Mr.  John.son  died 
at  his  residence,  January  9th,  1875.  His  widow  still  survives  him 
at  the  advanced  age  of  seventy-eight  years  ; now  residing  at  the  old 
home.stead. 

Walter  P.,  the  subject  of  this  sketch,  received  his  early  education 
in  the  common  schools  of  Ohio  and  this  state.  On  attaining  the 
age  of  thirty-three  he  married  Mi.ss  Mary  Frances  I’almcr,  daughter 
of  P.  A.  Palmer,  of  Christian  county,  Illinois.  This  marriage 
occurred  A]>ril  23d,  1859 — by  that  union  they  have  had  born  to 
them  two  son.s.  Mr.  Johnson  and  wife  are  both  members  of  the 
Baptist  Church,  and  in  polities  he  is  a republican. 

'Phe  business  of  his  life  has  always  been  that  of  a farmer,  in 
which  he  has  been  succc.ssful,  and  is  now  the  owner  of  ojic  among 
the  good  farms  of  this  county,  a line  lithogra])hic  view  of  which 
api)ears  on  another  j)age  of  this  work. 


ISOM  ADAMS. 

Tiii.s  gentleman,  one  of  the  old  .setlh.U'.s  of  Prairieton  township,  is 
a native  of  Kentucky  and  was  born  in  Montgomery  county  of  that 


state,  February  21,  1831.  His  ancestors  were  early  residents  of 
the  state  of  Kentucky.  His  father,  Ellington  Adams,  was  born  in 
Kentucky  and  raised  there,  and  married  Elizabeth  Gorden,  born  in 
Montgomery  county,  Kentucky,  six  miles  from  Mt.  Sterling,  Feb- 
ruary 17,  1810,  who  was  the  daughter  of  Randal  Gorden, 
born  in  Virginia  in  the  year  1784,  and  came  to  Kentucky  in  1796, 
when  twelve  years  old,  and  settled  in  Clark  county,  and  lived 
there  until  his  marriage,  when  he  moved  to  Montgomery  county, 
where  he  died.  Isom  Adams  was  the  second  son  of  a family  of  ten 
children , when  he  was  three  years  old  his  father  left  Kentucky  and 
moved  to  Illinois;  they  came  to  Sangamon  county  in  the  fall  of  1834 
and  settled  in  Loami,  southwest  of  Springfield  sixteen  miles,  where 
they  lived  until  1837,  and  then  moved  to  Christian  county,  where  his 
father,  Ellington  Adams,  lived  until  his  death.  Mr.  Adams’ 
mother  still  survives,  and  is  now  living  in  the  old  place  where  the 
family  first  settled  on  coming  to  the  county;  at  the  time  of  their 
arrival  there  were  only  a few  families  who  had  settled  on  the  Flat 
Branch  in  Prairieton  township.  The  country  was  inhabited  only 
along  the  timber,  and  people  generally  thought  that  the  prairie 
would  never  be  cultivated.  The  family  located  about  a mile  north 
of  the  Flat  Branch  timber  in  a grove,  which  from  that  time  to  the 
jn-esent  has  been  called  ‘•Adams’  Grove.”  As  the  country  settled  up 
schools  were  established.  The  schools  were  the  old-fashioned  sub- 
scription schools,  and  ofiered  few  advantages  for  obtaining  an  educa- 
tion in  comparison  with  the  present  time.  After  Mr.  Adams  got 
old  enough  to  derive  much  benefit  from  schooling,  he  was  obliged  to 
remain  at  home  and  help  improve  the  farm  ; so  that  his  schooling 
embraced  only  a short  ])eriod  in  the  winter  months.  He  lived  at 
home  until  his  first  marriage,  which  occurred  November  28,  1851, 
to  Elizabeth  Jacobs,  who  was  born  in  Sangamon  county  and  raised 
mostly  on  the  Flat  Branch  in  Prairieton  township,  as  the 
Jacobs  were  early  settlers  in  Christian  county.  She  died  January 
29,  1854,  leaving  one  child,  Nancy  Isabelle.  After  his  marriage 
Mr.  Adams  went  to  farming  for  himself.  His  second  marriage 
took  place  on  the  27th  of  April,  1859,  to  Lydia  Bilyeu.  She  was 
born  in  Sangamon  county,  and  was  the  daughter  of  John  H.  Bilyeu. 
The  Bilyeu  family  settled  on  the  Flat  Branch  in  Prairieton  township 
at  an  early  date.  The  family  were  from  Kentucky,  moved  from  there 
to  Tennessee,  and  from  there  to  Sangamon  county,  where  they 
were  among  the  early  settlers.  hlr.  Adams’  grandfather,  Peter 
Bilyeu,  was  one  of  the  pioneers  of  Sangamon  county.  Mr.  Adams 
moved  to  his  j)rescnt  farm,  a view  of  which  is  shown  on  another 
page,  in  1859.  This  farm  he  improved  himself;  he  owns  four  hun- 
dred acres  in  Prairieton  townshi}).  Mr.  Adams  is  one  of  the  rej)re- 
sentative  and  substantial  farmers  in  the  townshi]),  and  a man  who 
has  attended  closely  to  his  own  business  afiairs  and  has  participated 
but  little  in  politics.  He  is,  however,  a democrat,  and  has  always 
voted  that  ticket  since  he  was  old  enough  to  vote.  Mr. 
Adams  has  had  twelve  children  ; Isabelle,  who  married  Wm.  R. 
Gorden,  Ellington  died  in  infancy,  .Iose])h  who  died  at  the  age  of 
sixteen,  lOlizabeth,  John  A.,  Lucy  Jane,  Sallic  A.,  Varinda,  Wil- 
bin,  James,  Minerva  and  Thomas.  IMr.  Adams’  life  occupation 
has  been  that  of  a farmer;  he  has  lived  to  witness  a great  change  in 
the  “Flat  Branch  settlement.”  When  he  first  looked  upon  that 
country,  when  a boy,  it  was  one  vast  uncultivated  j)lain  covered  with 
tall  prairie  gra.«s,  and  here  and  there  a lonely  cabin  in  the  timber’s 
edge;  now  the  entire  settlement  is  under  a good  state  of  cultivation, 
with  line  crops  of  wheat  and  corn  growing  where  but  a few  years 
ago  naught  but  the  open  and  uncultivated  prairie  was  to  be  seen; 
and  now  substantial  I'arm-hou.ses  and  barns  stand  dotted  here  and 
there,  in  every  direction  over  the  land,  .surrounded  with  orchards 
and  line  ornamental  shade  trees. 


The 


I 

I 


) 


1 


i 


HISTORY  OF  CHRISTIAN  COUNTY,  ILLINOIS. 


183 


Elder  ANDREW  D.  NORTHCUTT. 

The  subject  of  this  sketch  is  a native  of  ^lontgoraery  county, 
Kentucky.  He  was  born  on  the  11th  day  of  September,  1813. 
His  ancestors,  who  were  of  Welsh  descent,  w'ere  among  the  early 
settlers  of  Virginia.  His  grandfather,  Jeremiah  Northcutt,  fouglit 
seven  years  in  the  colonial  army  during  the  Revolutionary  w’ar,  and 
was  present  at  Yorktown  wdien  the  surrender  of  Cormvallis  brought 
an  end  to  the  long  conflict  wdth  the  mother  country.  Jeremiah 
Northcutt  was  afterward  one  of  the  [)ioneer  settlers  of  ^Montgomery 
county,  Kentucky,  where  he  died.  Elder  Northcutt’s  father,  Wm. 
Northcutt,  w'as  born  in  Virginia,  and  was  a small  boy  at  the  time 
of  the  removal  of  the  family  to  Kentucky.  He  died  in  IMontgomery 
county  of  that  state,  in  the  year  1865.  The  subject  of  this  sketch 
was  raised  in  Montgomery  county,  Kentucky.  He  obtained  a good 
English  education,  and,  after  reaching  his  majority,  taught  school 
for  a year.  On  the  25th  of  August,  1835,  he  married  Selena 
Masterson.  In  the  fall  of  1836,  he  came  to  Illinois,  and  after 
living  for  a few  months  in  Sangamon  county,  near  Roches- 
ter, in  January,  1837,  he  settled  in  this  county  on  Mosquito 
creek,  in  the  present  Mosquito  township.  There  w^ere  few'  set- 
tlers then  living  in  that  part  of  the  country ; })robably  not 
more  than  eight  or  ten  families.  There  were  no  mills,  no  stoi’es, 
and  no  market  for  produce.  He  relates  that  it  was  no  uncommon 
thing  for  a farmer  to  leave  home  with  two  or  three  yoke  of  oxen 
attached  to  his  wagon,  loaded  wdth  as  fine  wheat  as  ever  grew,  to 
find  a market  at  Springfield,  Beardstown  or  St.  Louis,  the  trip  re- 
quiring one  or  two  weeks.  He  would  sell  his  grain  at  from  twenty- 
five  to  thirty  cents  a bushel,  and  invest  the  proceeds  in  a calico 
dress  and  a loaf  of  white  sugar  for  his  wife,  a pair  of  brogan  boots 
for  himself,  a few  pounds  of  brown  sugar  for  family  use,  a barrel  of 
salt,  a drawing  of  tea,  and  a paper  of  j)ins,  when  he  would  find  that 
the  money  he  received  for  his  wheat  would  be  about  expended. 
Cattle  when  driven  to  market  four  years  old  would  command  about 
eight  dollars  per  head  ; hoi-ses  from  forty  to  fifty,  and  other  stock  in 
proportion.  Corn  sold  at  six  and  eight  cents  a bushel,  aud  was 
often  used  for  firewood.  Farming  products  were  low,  and  dry- 
goods  and  groceries  high. 

The  death  of  his  first  wife  took  place  in  the  year  1848.  His  second 
marriage  was  on  the  1st  day  of  June,  1850,  to  Mary  I.  Hammer, 
•who  was  born  in  Clark  county,  Kentucky,  and  came  to  Illinois  in 
1834,  first  living  in  Sangamon  county,  and  aftei’wards  in  Christian. 
From  1848  to  1850,  Elder  Northcutt  lived  mostly  in  Shelby 
county.  In  the  year  1843  he  united  with  the  Christian  church, 
and  soon  afterward  began  preaching  the  gospel.  In  1854  he 
became  a resident  of  Prairieton  township.  In  connection  with 
the  work  of  the  ministry,  he  has  carried  on  the  business  of  farming 
and  stock-raising.  He  has  ten  children  now  living.  The  oldest 
son,  W.  II.  Northcutt,  lives  in  Texas.  Mary  is  the  wife  of  R.  R. 
Adams,  of  Prairieton  township,  and  Lucy  Ann  married  L.  Messick, 
of  Morrisonville.  The  remaining  are  children  by  his  second  mar- 
riage : Laura  L.  was  the  wife  of  Dr.  J.  W.  Whitmire,  of  IMetamora, 
F.  J.  Northcutt,  residing  in  Kansas,  Silas  W.,  Lizzie  W.,  who  mar- 
ried J.  H.  Scribner,  of  Prairieton  township,  James  A.,  now  living 
in  Colorado,  Ann  M.  and  Jesse  G.  Northcutt. 

He  is  now  one  of  the  oldest  ministers  of  the  Christian  denomina- 
tion in  this  part  of  the  state.  At  the  time  of  the  organization  of 
the  Christian  church,  to  which  he  belonged,  on  the  Mosquito,  it  was 
the  only  church  of  that  denomination  in  the  county,  and  comprised 
only  seven  members,  of  whom  Elder  Northcutt  was  one.  From 
this  small  beginning  he  has  seen  the  denomination  advance  until 
now  it  is  one  of  the  largest  and  most  influential  in  the  county.  He 
is  an  eloquent  and  gifted  speaker,  and  always  commands  large  au- 


diences. He  was  raised  in  a slave  state,  and  with  pro-slavery 
sympathies,  but  on  coming  to  Illinois,  his  convictions  made  him  in 
favor  of  free  soil.  He  was  one  of  the  early  members  of  the  repub- 
lican party.  He  was  an  acting  justice  of  the  peace  in  Sangamon 
before  the  formation  of  this  county.  He  was  one  of  the  first  magis- 
trates elected  after  the  organization  of  the  county,  filling  the  office 
for  eight  years  from  August,  1839.  On  the  adoption  of  township 
organization  he  was  chosen  from  Prairieton  township  a member  of 
the  first  board  of  supervisors,  and  filled  that  position  four  years. 
He  made  several  canvasses  for  the  legislature  and  other  public 
positions,  but  as  he  was  the  nominee  of  a party  much  in  the  mi- 
nority, his  election  was  scarcely  expected. 

When  he  first  settled  in  this  county,  the  neighbors  were  distant 
and  visitors  few.  Hospitality  and  sociability  were  conspicuous 
traits.  He  declares  that  when  he  looks  back  to  tbo.se  early  times 
aud  compares  the  friendly  feeling,  the  terms  of  social  equality  on 
which  he  lived,  and  the  2)lentifulness  with  which  every  one  had  his 
real  wants  provided  for,  with  the  jealousies  of  the  present  day  and 
the  wasteful  extravagance  in  dress,  living  and  other  expenditures, 
he  feels  like  exclaiming,  “ Give  me  back  the  days  of  pioneer  log 
cabin  life!” 


R.  R.  GORDEN. 

Mr.  Gorden  is  a Kentuckian  by  birtb.  His  ancestors  were  for- 
merly residents  of  Virginia.  His  grandfather,  John  Gordon,  was 
one'  of  the  patriotic  sons  of  Virginia  who  fought  in  the  American 
army  during  the  Revolutionary  war.  He  served  through  the  whole 
seven  years  struggle  with  Great  Britain.  His  home  was  on  the 
James  river,  seventeen  miles  from  the  city  of  Richmond.  In  the 
year  1796  he  emigrated  from  Virginia  to  Kentucky,  and  settled  in 
Clark  county  on  Four  Mile  creek,  four  or  five  miles  from  Winches- 
ter. He  lived  there  till  his  death.  Randal  Gordon,  the  father  of 
the  subject  of  this  sketch,  was  born  on  the  James  river  in  Virginia 
in  the  year  1784,  and  was  twelve  years  old  when  the  family  moved 
to  Kentucky.  When  the  family  settled  in  Kentucky  it  was  a new 
and  wild  country,  still  containing  many  hostile  Indians.  The 
family  reached  their  new  home  in  the  wilderness  by  way  of  the 
Ohio  river,  and  in  floating  down  that  stream  they  were  obliged  to 
lie  in  the  bottom  of  the  boat  to  prevent  being  shot  by  the  Indians 
from  the  banks.  Randal  Gordon  was  married  to  Rachel  Baber, 
and  moved  from  Clark  to  iMontgomery  county  on  Slate  creek,  where 
he  resided  the  remainder  of  his  life,  a period  of  nearly  fifty  years. 
He  died  in  November,  1853,  when  nearly  seventy  years  of  age.  The 
Baber  family  were  from  the  same  part  of  Virginia  as  the  Gordons. 
Mr.  Gorden’s  mother  was  nine  or  ten  years  old  when  she  came  to 
Kentucky,  and  was  accustomed  to  relate  incidents  which  occurred 
as  she  rode  a jmck  horse  on  a trail  across  the  mountains  on  their 
journey  from  Virginia  to  Kentucky. 

Randal  Richardson  Gordon,  the  subject  of  this  biography,  was 
the  next  to  tlie  youngest  of  a family  of  eleven  children,  and  was 
born  in  Montgomery  county,  Kentucky,  on  the  18tb  of  December, 
1821.  All  his  brothers  and  sisters  grew  to  years  of  maturity,  and 
all  married  and  had  families  except  Mr.  Gorden’s  oldest  brother, 
who  was  a lawyer,  and  died  at  Little  Rock,  Arkansas.  Mr.  Gordon 
was  raised  in  his  native  county  in  Kentucky.  The  schools  which 
he  attended  when  a boy,  were  of  the  kind  common  at  that  time  in 
Kentucky — subscription  schools  held  in  log  school-houses  with 
puncheon  floors  and  split  log  benches.  His  first  marriage  occuned 
in  November,  1848,  to  Isabelle  Warren,  who  was  born  and  raised 
within  three  miles  of  Winchester,  Clark  county,  Kentucky.  She 
only  lived  eighteen  months.  When  twenty-four  years  of  age  he 
learned  the  blacksmith  trade  near  Camargo,  in  Montgomery  county. 


184 


HISTORY  OF  CHRISTIAN  COUNTY,  ILLINOIS. 


Kentucky.  He  had  first  visited  Illinois  in  the  year  1845,  but  the 
counti'V  at  that  time  offered  so  few  attractions  to  the  settler,  and 
malarial  diseases  prevailed  to  such  an  extent,  that  he  had  little 
notion  of  making  his  permanent  home  in  this  state.  In  1856,  how- 
ever, he  concluded  to  remove  to  Illinois.  While  on  his  way  to 
this  state  on  the  28th  of  February,  1856,  at  Cincinnati,  Ohio,  he 
married  Kancy  Frost,  who  was  born  on  the  15th  day  of  September, 
1833,  and  was  raised  in  Montgomery  county,  Kentucky.  She  was 
descended  from  a Virginia  family.  On  reaching  Illinois,  Mr. 
Gordon  lived  for  one  year  on  the  farm  of  Ellington  Adams  in  this 
county,  and  then  settled  on  the  place  where  he  now  lives,  in  section 
22  of  township  14,  range  1 east,  where  he  has  since  lived-  He  has  ten 
children  living;  Martha  Elizabeth,  Belle  W.,  Jennie,  Randal  Rich- 


ardson, Rachel,  Isham,  Mary,  Kauuie  May,  Fannie  and  Annie. 
The  last  two  are  twins.  Besides  the  above-named  there  are  two 
children  deceased. 

In  his  political  principles  IMr.  Gordon  is  one  of  the  old  democrats, 
who  began  life  as  a democrat,  and  has  never  swerved  from  demo- 
cratic j)rinciples.  He  is  a much  respected  citizen  of  Prairietoii 
township,  and  is  a quiet  and  peaceable  man  who  has  lived  on  terms 
of  friendship  with  all  his  neighbors,  and  has  never  sued  any  one, 
nor  been  sued,  in  all  his  life.  He  is  one  of  the  old  Kentuckians, 
who  retain  a fondness  for  the  noble  pastime  of  the  fox-chase. 
Nothing  delights  him  so  much  as  occasionally  to  mount  a good 
horse  and  join  in  this  old-fashioned  sport,  though  oj^portunities  for 
its  exercise  are  comparatively  rare. 


ASSUMPTION  TOWNSHIP. 


S situated  on  the  east  side  of  the  county,  and  is  bounded 
on  the  north  by  Prairieton  township,  on  the  east  by 
Shelby  county,  on  the  south  by  Pana  and  on  the  west 
hv  Locust  and  IMay  townships.  It  occupies  part  of  two 
congressional  townships,  having  twenty-four  sections  in  town  12 
N-,  Range  1 E.,  and  eighteen  sections  in  town  13  N.,  Range  1 
E.  Tlie  surface  is  an  undulating  jdain,  and  occupies  an  arm  of 
what  is  known  as  Grand  Prairie,  and  is  almost  entirely  void  of 
timber.  The  soil  is  the  same  rich,  black  loam  as  found  in  adjoin- 
ing townships. 

There  are  but  two  creeks;  the  Lake  Fork,  which  flows  through 
the  south-east  corner,  and  a small  tributary  of  Flat  Branch,  which 
takes  its  rise  near  the  town  of  Assumj)tion  and  Hows  out  through 
.section  twenty-three. 

Thirty  years  ago  the  territory  embraced  within  this  township  was 
a wild,  uniidiabited  j>rairio.  When  standing  on  the  spot,  now  oc- 
cupied by  the  nourishing  town  of  Assumption — for  the  great  eastern 
stage  route  j)assed  over  it — nothing  but  a boundless  waste  of  country 
met  the  vision.  On  every  hand  were  to  be  seen  herds  of  deer  and  the 
wily  ]>rairie  wolf.  It  was  the  terror  of  the  stage  driver  in  the  stormy 
days  of  winter.  Butthe  construction  of  the  Illinois  Central  railroad, 
and  the  location  of  Tacusa,  in  1854,  caused  a wonderful  change. 
Soon  it  was  settled  with  a thrifty  cla.ss  of  emigrants,  and  the  prai- 
rie dottcil  over  with  farm-houses.  But  a few  years  have 
marked  the  advance  of  civilization,  and  now  it  forms  one  of  the 
mo.st  fertile  and  promising  townships  in  the  county.  The  whole  of 
tills  once  barren  waste  is  now  reduced  to  cultivation. 

This  township  forms  ]>art  of  the  territory  taken  from  Shelby  on 
the  organization  of  Cliristian  county.  For  several  years  the  citi- 
zens of  this  portion  of  the  county  were  attached  to  the  Stonington 
Precinct,  for  voting  jiurjioscs.  'I'o  visit  this  distant  point  in  the 
performance  of  this  duty  was  a great  inconvenience.  But  on  the 
27th  of  September,  1856,  the  county  court  formed  a new  election 
jirccinct,  and  named  it  Tacu.<a.  It  wa-s  hounded  as  follows: 
“ Commencing  at  the  south-ea.st  corner  of  section  24,  T.  11,  R.  1 ea.st, 
thence  we.st  nine  miles  ; thence  north  eight  miles;  thence  east  nine 


miles,  and  thence  south  to  the  place  of  beginning.’'  The  store- 
house of  Williams  and  Jlillabrant,  in  the  village  of  Tacusa,  was 
designated  as  the  place  of  holding  elections.  The  first  judges  of 
election,  appointed  by  the  court,  were  Joseph  Bugg,  William  A. 
Williams  and  John  Gaghagan.  The  first  Justices  of  the  Peace 
were  Win.  A.  Williams  and  Jacob  Overholt ; Constables  John 
Gao-hasan  and  AVilliam  Peck. 

In  December  1856,  Elsie  E.  Malhiot,  then  a State  Senator  in 
the  Louisiana  legislature,  purchased  from  the  I.  C.  R.  R.  company, 
and  other  j)arties,  thirty  sections  in  this  precinct,  part  of  which  lay 
near  the  railroad  and  adjacent  to  the  village  of  Tacusa.  He  was  a 
Canadian  by  birth,  but  had  been  a resident  of  Louisiana  for  about 
eighteen  years.  He  determined  to  make  Illinois  his  adopted  state, 
and  Christian  county  his  future  home;  and  early  conceived  the  idea 
of  settling  his  lands  in  this  rich  and  beautiful  prairie,  with  his  rela- 
tives and  friends  from  Canada. 

Early  in  March,  1857,  about  one  hundred  and  fifty  men,  women 
and  children  arrived  from  Canada,  many  of  the  men  being  mechan- 
ics. This  new  accession  was  an  encouraging  feature  at  this  time, 
in  the  settlement  of  the  newly-formed  township.  Soon  twenty-five 
or  thirty  more  houses  were  erected.  About  the  same  time  over 
thirty  farm-houses  had  been  built,  and  as  many  farms  were  opened. 
These  improvements  were  mostly  made  by  others  than  the  Cana-, 
(bans — some  of  them  model  farmers  from  the  Keystone  State. 
At  this  date  more  than  5,000  acres  had  been  fenced  and  reduced  to 
cultivation — mostly  in  wheat  and  corn. 

On  the  adoption  of  township  organization,  in  the  spring  of  1866, 
the  former  boundaries  of  Tacusa  Precinct,  were  contracted  to 
6,x7  miles  square,  and  the  name  changed  to  Assumption.  At  the 
election  oftown.ship  ofiicer.s,  April  3d,  1866,  Jacob  Ovcrholt  was 
elected  its  first  Supervi.sor,  and  Israel  Pierce  and  Samuel  M.  Moore 
the  first  Justices  of  the  Peace. 

'I'he  early  history  of  this  township,  as  will  be  observed,  clusters 
around  the  town  of  Assumption.  The  first  land  entries  in  this 
township,  as  shown  by  the  records  were  : Nov.  16th,  1848,  Elias 
Cencvi.ss,  S.  half  N.  E.  quarter,  section  24,  eighty  acres ; Aug.  2, 


HISTORY  OF  CHRISTIAN  COUNTY,  ILLINOIS. 


185 


1852,  John  C.  Dodge,  N.  E.  quarter,  section  1,  161.28  acres  ; N. 
W.  quarter,  section  1,  168.74  acres;  S.  W.  (juarter,  section  1,  160 
acres;  S.  E.  quarter,  section  1,  160  acres.  INlay  8th,  1854,  O.  P. 
Heaton,  S.  W.  ejuarter,  section  35,  160  acres. 

The  following  are  the  township  officers  since  organization  : 

Supervisors — J.  Overholt,  elected  1866,  re-elected  1867  and  ’68; 
J.  II.  Pound,  1869;  J.  INL  Birce,  1870,  re-elected  1871,  ’72  and 
’73;  J.  R.  Pound,  1874;  J.  M.  Birce,  1875,  and  served  till  1879: 
W.  L.  Cohenour,  1880. 

^Issmors. — Phil.  B.  Kemnierer,  elected  1876;  J.  F.  ]McKe(‘, 
1877,  and  by  re-election  has  tilled  the  office  till  1879  ; W.  O. 
Watson,  1880. 

Collectors. — Peter  L IMyers,  elected  1866,  re-elected  1867  ; L.  A. 
Iloit,  1868;  O P.  Eldred,  1869;  A.  F.  Seymour,  1870;  J.  S.  IMer- 
cer,  1871 ; A.  F.  Seymour,  1872;  J.  Burk,  1873;  John  A.  Bridge, 
1874,  and  has  been  re-elected  each  succeeding  year  till  1879;  L 
Johnson,  1880. 

Town  Clerks. — C.  Pearcy,  1876,  and  re-elected  each  year  up  to 
1879;  P.  B.  Kemmerer,  1880. 

Commissioners  of  i/t^/urays.— Wade  F.  Johnson,  1876;  David 
Lacharitie,  1877;  J.  R.  Milligan,  1878;  Robert  Morrison,  1879; 
D.  Lacharitie,  1880. 

Constables. — W.  F.  Almonrode  and  C.  C-  Little,  elected  in  1873; 
George  Hutchins  and  D.  M.  De  Lashmutt,  1877. 

Justices  of  the  Peace — Israel  Pierce,  elected  in  1866;  S.  IM. 
IMoore,  ’66;  II.  L.  Reans, ’70;  W-  F.  Cushing,  ’72;  II.  L.  Reans 
and  Win.  L Cohenour,  ’73;  Grove  Pring  and  H.  L.  Reans,  ’77. 

THE  TOWN  OF  ASSFMPTTON. 

The  Illinois  Central  Railroad  Company,  on  the  completion  of  the 
road,  laid  out  on  the  6th  day  of  June,  1855,  what  now  constitutes 
the  central  part  of  the  town  of  Assumption,  on  the  north-east 
quarter  of  section  2,  town  12  N.  range  I east  in  lot  and  blocks  under 
the  name  of  Tacina.  It  was  surveyed  by  Leverett  II.  Clark,  and 
certified  to  by  N.  A.  Griswold,  president  of  the  company.  The 
track-laying  of  the  road  was  completed  as  far  as  Tacusa,  in  Octo- 
ber, 1854. 

The  passenger  depot  and  ware-house  buildings  were  erected  at 
once  by  the  company,  and  other  improvements  soon  followed.  John 
Gaghagan,  a section  boss,  erected  the  first  dwelling-house,  and 
boarded  railroad  hands,  and  also  opened  a saloon. 

The  first  ,«tore  was  erected  and  opened  by  Williams  and  Hilla- 
brant,  in  1854.  For  two  or  three  years  Tacusa  had  but  few  build- 
ings, and  was  nothing  more  than  a railroad  station. 

After  a time,  Elsie  E.  Malhiot,  having  purchased  most  of  the  lands 
in  the  vicinity,  laid  out  an  addition  on  the  south-west  part  of  the 
town,  with  suitable  streets,  a jniblic  .square,  market  place,  grounds  for 
church  purposes,  the  “Assumption  cemetery,’’  Catholic  ceme- 
tery— which  he  named  Assumption,  after  his  own  plantation  in 
Louisiana,  virtually  making  but  one  town,  though  having  two 
names.  Tacusa  was  first  surveyed  by  C.  A.  Manners,  Nov.  1, 
1865,  including  the  addition,  and  the  name  was  changed  to  Assurnj)- 
tion.  The  Canadian  colonists,  in  1857,  mostly  settled  in  Malhiot’s 
addition,  and  the  town  began  to  assume  greater  proportions.  They 
erected  twenty  or  thirty  dwelling  houses,  a large  three-story  store- 
house, a warehouse,  a blacksmith  shop  and  other  buildings. 

Marcus  L.  Barrett,  a native  of  Massachusetts,  came  here  from 
Pennsylvania,  April  9,  1857,  and  kept  a boarding-house  for  rail- 
road hands.  In  a short  time  he  purchased  the  lot  and  store-house, 
occupied  by  Williams  and  Hillabrant,  and  laid  in  a new  stock  of 
general  store  goods.  He  has  since  erected  a block  of  buildings, 
and  has  continued  in  business  ever  since  he  came  here. 


Joseph  Mercer,  a native  of  Virginia,  next  built  and  opened  a 
general  store.  The  next  store  was  built  by  Horace  Moorhouse, 
from  Decatur,  who  opened  a stock  of  general  hardware. 

In  1858  there  were,  in  the  older  part  of  the  town,  a good  store 
kept  by  Barrett  and  Seymour;  a lumber  yard  by  Charles  Ostell  ; 
a cabinet-maker  shop ; a blacksmith  shop,  and  a variety  of  other 
mechanics.  A post-office  hod  been  established  with  Geo.  Hilla- 
brant, as  the  first  post-master.  The  population  at  this  date  had 
increased  to  four  hundred. 

In  1858  a large  flouring  mill  was  erected  by  F.  F.  IMalhiot.  In 
connection  with  this  he  kept  a large  stock  of  sugar,  from  his 
Lou  isiana  plantation,  which  he  sold  at  wholesale  j)riccs  to  the 
citizens  of  Assumption  township. 

In  the  summer  of  1859  Jacob  Overholt  and  William  A.  Williams 
sunk  a shaft  219  feet  in  search  of  coal,  but  were  di.sappointed  in 
tiuding  it  in  paying  quantities. 

For  some  fifteen  years  after  the  location  of  the  station  Assump- 
tion was  a point  for  the  shipment  of  all  the  goods  and  produce  to 
and  from  Taylorville.  It  was  the  nearest  station,  and  was  fourteen 
miles  distant.  Large  consignments  of  goods  for  Taylorville  were 
received  at  Assumption.  The  great  number  of  teams  that  were 
daily  passing  between  these  points  added  materially  to  the  life  and 
business  interests  of  the  place. 

March  24th,  1866,  a meeting  was  held  by  the  citizens  for  the 
purpose  of  voting  on  incorporating  the  town,  which  resulted  in  43 
votes  in  favor  and  3 against.  An  election  was  held  March  31st, 
1866,  and  the  following  trustees  were  elected;  J.  S.  Mercer,  L.  A. 
Hoit,  S.  Madison  Moore,  M.  H.  Kibbe,  E.  E.  Davidson.  At  the 
first  meeting  of  the  board  J.  S.  Mercer  was  chosen  president  and 
A.  B.  Hammer  clerk- 

The  present  Trustees  are; — President,  N-  E.  Cushing;  II.  S. 
Reans,  S-  IM.  Coon  rod.  A-  Kerr,  J.  Lambert,  J.  F.  IMcKee;  Clerk, 
J.  M.  Bi  rce;  Treasurer,  L.  T.  Watkins. 

The  Post  Office  was  established  in  1856,  and  George  W.  Hilla- 
brant was  the  first  post-master.  The  succeeding  ones  have  been 
F.  A.  Seymour  and  J.  A.  Bridge. 

The  Catholic  Church  was  built  on  the  grounds  donated  by  Mr. 
Malhiot,  for  that  purpose,  in  1858.  Most  of  the  Canadian  popula- 
tion were  of  that  faith.  More  recently  they  have  erected  a new  and 
sightly  structure. 

The  Presbyterian  Chui'ch  was  the  first  Protestant  church  orgai;- 
ized  in  Assuraj)tion.  By  authority  from  the  Sangamon  Presbyterv, 
May  7,  1859,  Rev.  II.  R.  Lewis  oi-ganized  the  above  church  at  the 
residence  of  Marcus  L.  Barrett.  There  were  twenty-four  members. 
S.  C.  Sheller  and  Wm.  J.  Calhoun  were  chosen  ruling  elders.  The 
first  communion  was  held  the  next  day,  March  8th,  at  the  residence 
of  Jacob  0/erholt.  There  was  no  Protestant  church  or  hall  in  the 
place.  The  regular  preaching  exercises  of  the  Sabbath  were  held 
in  the  railroad  depot.  A small  church  building  was  erected  and 
dedicated  June  23d,  1861,  during  the  ministration  of  the  Rev. 
Clark  Loudon. 

The  jMethodist  Episcopal  Church  was  dedicated  on  Sunday,  May 
29th,  1870,  by  Rev.  Hiram  Buck,  of  Decatur.  It  cost  $3,500. 

There  are  at  present  five  churches  in  the  town,  viz  ; Presbyterian, 
Baptist,  Christian,  Methodist,  and  Roman  Catholic,  all  of  which 
have  neat  and  comfortable  edifices. 

The  first  school-house  was  erected  in  1862.  It  is  a one-story 
frame  building,  and  is  now  used  by  the  Baptist  Church. 

There  is  now  a fine  two-story,  brick  public  school  building,  which 
cost  $1,600.  The  school  is  a graded  one,  emj>loying  four  teachers. 

The  growth  of  the  town  is  steady  and  healthy,  and  it  commands 
the  trade  of  a large  extent  of  country.  It  is  fortunate  in  having 


18G 


HISTORY  OF  CHRISTIAN  COUNTY,  ILLINOIS. 


liad  for  its  business  men  gentlemen  of  energy  and  enterprise,  who 
have  spared  no  pains  in  advancing  the  interests  of  the  place. 
There  are  about  eight  hundred  inhabitants. 

Surrounded  as  it  is,  with  a large  number  of  well-improved  and 
highly-cultivated  farms.  Assumption  is  quite  a shipping  point, 
as  will  be  seen  from  the  list  of  loaded  cars  shipped  from  here 
during  the  year  1879: — 307  car  loads  of  corn,  278  of  wheat,  89  of 
oats,  5 of  rye,  8 of  tlax  seed,  80  of  hay,  59  of  hogs,  12  of  cattle,  and 
5 of  potatoes,  making  in  value  upward  of  $150,000  shipped  during 
the  year. 

The  following  are  the  secret  societies  in  Assumption  : 

The  Bromu-ell  Lodge,  No.  451,  A.  F.  and  A.  M.,  was  chartered 
October  4,  1865.  Number  of  charter  members  sixteen. 

The  first  officers  were: — A.  B.  Hammer,  W.  M. ; S,  M.  INIoore, 
K.  W.  ; J.  W.  Aldrick,  J.  W. ; 11.  M.  Hood,  Secretary;  T.  A.  Sey- 
mour, Treasurer;  K.  H.  Fuller,  S.  D. ; E.  R.  Shepard,  J.  D. ; I. 
Pooder,  Tyler. 

The  present  officers  are : — J.  M.  Birce,  W.  M. ; J.  F.  McKee,  S- 
W. ; O.  W.  Fisher,  J.  W. ; J.  R.  Milligan,  Treasurer.  Number  of 
members  at  present,  sixty. 

The  Assumption  Grange,  No.  103,  was  chartered  November  3d, 
1873.  The  charter  members  numbered  thirty.  It  now  has  a large 
membership,  and  is  in  a flourishing  condition. 

Below  we  add  a list  of  the  present  business  houses  in  the  town  : 

CUSTOM  MILL  AND  ELEVATOR, 

owned  and  operated  by  AVilkinson  & Co.,  was  built  in  1871,  and 
lias  two  run  of  burrs. 

The  elevator,  which  is  con.structed  for  handling  all  kinds  of  grain, 
has  a capacity  for  storing  55,000  bushels. 


ASSUMPTION  MEP.CTIANT  MILL.S 

was  erected  in  1856,  and  is  owned  and  operated  by  Overholt  Bros. 
Has  a run  of  three  burrs.  It  is  the  oldest  steam  mill  now  running 
in  the  county. 

The  leading  Physicians  are : — J.  D.  Bennett,  S.  M.  Benepe,  H. 
D.  Bixby,  R.  W.  Johnson. 

Drugs.  - J.  A.  Denny,  S.  D.  Brown  & Bro.,  M.  B.  Travis. 
General  Stores  — AV.  E.  Cushing  & Son,  Pigeon  & Moore,  Rcans 
& Huskey,  Cazalet  & Lambert,  L.  Kaufman  & Co. 

Groceries,  Boots,  Shoes,  Confectionery,  and  (fiieensware. — S.  M. 
Coonrod,  J.  A.  AA'^emple. 

Groceries  and  Queensware. — J.  A.  Bridge. 

Grocery  and  Confectionery. — J.  Simons. 

Hardware,  Tinware  and  Agricultural  Implements. — S.  A.  Shafer 
& Co.,  Byron  Travis. 

Furniture. — L.  T.  AA^atkins. 

Lumber  Yard,  Grain  and  Agricidtural  Implements  — F.  O. 
Pigeon. 

Lumber  Yard. — AVilkinson  & Co. 

Stationery,  Cigar,  and  Jewelry  Store. — AV^.  E.  Chilton. 

Gunsmith  and  Clock  Repairing. — M.  L.  Barrett. 

Shoe  Shops. — V.  Evans,  G.  AV^.  Grimes,  James  Cronin. 

Harness  Shops. — D.  D.  Domas,  A.  Sarran. 

Blacksmith  and  Wagon  Shop)s. — Hillabrant  & Kerr,  Poland  Con- 
tevill. 

Blucksmithing  and  Shoeing. — Jno.  Morrow’. 

Milliners. — Mrs.  E.  Aldrich,  Miss  Ella  Overholt,  Miss  Mariah 
McCormic. 

COMMERCIAL  HOUSE. 

T.  F.  Rasbach,  proprietor.  Good  accommodations  for  boarding 
and  traveling  guests. 


--e 


H I ( ) G \i  A I ^ 1 1 1 ( ' A I . S 1 V E T C 1 1 E S . 


J.  M,  BIRCE. 

'I'liE  subject  of  the  follow  ing  skcti  li  is  a native  of  Syracuse,  Onon- 
daga county.  New  A'ork.  lie  was  born  September  7lh,  1835.  His 
father,  Mitchel  Birce,  was  a native  born  of  the  .sune  county  and 
state.  He  followed  the  trade  of  shoemaking.  In  the  .sjiring  of 
1847,  he  movcfl  to  Michigan  and  settled  in  Branch  county,  where 
he  remained  until  his  death,  March  5th,  1864.  On  the  19th  of 
l'’(4)ruary,  18:>2,  he  married  Mary  Campbell.  She  was  a native  of 
the  .same  county  and  state.  She  at  pre.sent  lives  with  her  daughter 
in  Steuben  county,  Indiana.  There  were  seven  children  born  to 
them,  three  boys  and  four  girls.  J.  M.  Birce  is  the  eldest  son  and 
second  child  in  the  family.  Ilis  education  was  first  obtained  in  the 
common  schools  of  .Michigan.  As  he  grew  to  manhood  his  time 
was  employcfl  at  work  upon  the  farm.  AVhen  at  the  age  of  nine- 
teen he  attended  two  terms  at  the  Academy  in  .Albion,  Michigan, 
and  then  engaged  in  teaching  school.  He  continued  at  the  acade- 


my for  three  yeans,  filling  in  the  winter  months  in  teaching.  In  this 
way  he  succeeded  in  getting  a good  education.  He  also  attended 
two  terms  in  Hillsdale  College  at  Hillsdale,  after  which  he  worked 
on  a farm  and  taught  .school.  During  this  time  he  made  up  his 
mind  to  adopt  the  profession  of  law  as  the  business  of  his  life,  and 
with  this  idea  in  view  he  read  the  standard  text-books  on  that  sub- 
ject. 

In  the  fall  of  I860,  he  entered  the  Law  Department  of  the  Uni- 
versity of  Michigan,  at  .Ann  Arbor,  and,  in  the  spring  of  1861,  was 
admitted  to  practice.  He  commenced  the  practice  at  Big  Rapids, 
in  the  northern  part  of  the  state,  where  he  remained  hut  two 
months,  then  returned  home,  and  remained  there  until  1865,  when 
he  came  to  Assum])tion,  Christian  county,  and  worked  at  the  car- 
j)cnter  trade  until  the  fall  of  the  same  year,  when  he  recom- 
menced the  |)ractice  of  his  [irofession,  and  has  so  continued  to 
the  present  time. 


riM  Ubraiy 

of  th« 

of  ItMntfl,’ 


HISTORY  OF  CHRISTIAN  COUNTY,  ILLINOIS. 


187 


On  the  2d  of  April,  18G3,  he  was  united  in  marriage  to  j\Iiss 
Mary  W.  Little.  She  is  a native  of  New  York,  but  was  a resident 
of  Michigan  at  the  time  of  her  marriage.  By  this  union  there 
liave  been  two  children,  a boy  and  a girl,  named  Charles  Mitchel  and 
Stella  Bircc,  aged  respectively  twelve  and  five  years.  In  politics 
Mr.  Birce  is  a republican.  He  cast  his  first  vote  for  James  Bu- 
chanan in  1856,  and  Stephen  A.  Douglas  in  1860.  After  the  break- 
ing out  of  the  war  he  arrayed  himself  on  the  side  of  freedom  and 
c )iistitutional  liberty,  and  from  that  time  to  the  present  has  voted 
and  acted  with  the  rejmblican  party.  He  is  active  in  the  cause,  and 
may  be  regarded  as  a stalwart.  He  has  been  fre(piently  honored 
by  being  elected  to  offices  of  honor  and  trust  in  the  county,  and  has 
represented  his  township  no  less  than  nine  times  on  the  Board  of 
Supervisors,  and  this  too,  notwithstanding  he  belongs  to  the  politi- 
cal party  tliat  is  considerably  in  the  minority  in  his  township. 

This  is  good  and  sufficient  evidence  of  his  standing  and  worth  as 
a man  and  citizen.  In  1877,  he  was  republican  candidate  for 
the  office  of  State’s  Attorney,  but  was  defeated  by  a slight  majority. 
He  at  present  is  a member  of  the  town  board  of  trustees,  and  has 
been  town  clerk  since  September,  1866,  fourteen  years.  Both  he  and 
his  wife  are  members  of  the  Christian  Church.  He  is  at  pre.sent 
the  W.  M.,  of  Bromwell  Lodge,  No.  451,  A.  F.  & A.  M.,  and  is  a 
bright  and  active  Mason. 

Upon  the  subject  of  temperance  he  is  a prohibitionist.  Mr. 
Birce,  as  a man,  is  much  respected.  As  a lawyer  he  ranks  with  the 
best  who  practice  at  the  bar  of  Christian  county. 


F.  O.  PIGEON 

Was  born  in  Canada,  June  20th,  1837.  He  received  a liberal  edu- 
cation in  the  schools  of  his  native  country.  At  an  early  age  he 
entered  a dry -goods  and  general  store,  and  learned  merchandizing. 
At  the  age  of  eighteen  he  concluded  to  go  to  New  Orleans,  and 
there  engage  in  mercantile  pursuits.  On  his  way  there  he  stopped 
at  Assumption,  and  here  met  a friend  who  induced  him  to  give 
up  his  New  Orleans  trip  and  remain  here.  His  first  work  was  in 
a general  store  in  the  village  of  A.ssumption,  owned  by  Mr.  Barrett. 
This  was  in  1857. 

In  1858,  Mr.  Pigeon  opened  a grocery  and  provision  store. 
The  same  year  he  received  a large  contract  from  the  Illinois  Cen- 
tral Railroad  Company  to  get  out  ties  for  the  road.  During  bis 
engagement  with  the  railroad  company  he  had  as  many  as  two  hun- 
dred and  fifty  men  in  his  employ.  He  furnished  the  ties  from 
Jonesboro  to  Pula.«ki.  In  1860,  he  made  the  trip  to  Pike’s  Peak, 
arriving  there  in  July  of  the  same  year.  In  1862,  he  sold  out  his 
grocery  business.  His  object  was  to  go  to  Wisconsin.  He 
stopped  in  Chicago  and  purchased  dry-goods  to  the  amount  of  nine 
thousand  dollars.  These  he  took  to  Evansville,  Wisconsin,  and 
opened  a store.  This  was  in  September,  1862.  He  remained 
in  Evansville  until  February,  1863.  His  stock  had  increased  in 
the  meantime  to  eighteen  thousand  dollars.  He  then  sold  out  the 
entire  stock  at  an  advance  of  ten  per  cent.  ; returned  to  Chicago 
and  settled  up  in  full  with  the  merchants  of  that  place,  who  had 
kindly  sold  him  the  goods  on  time.  When  he  made  the  purchase 
he  was  not  in  the  possession  of  a dollar,  but  such  was  their  confi- 
dence in  his  honesty,  integrity  and  business  capacity,  that  they  fur- 
nished him  all  the  stock  he  wanted  on  his  simple  promise  to  pay. 
After  settling  he  went  to  Canada. 

In  the  spring  of  1864,  he  put  in  a stock  of  goods  at  Raxton 
Falls,  Canada,  where  he  remained  until  the  15th  of  April,  1865, 
when  he  came  back  to  Assumption,  Illinois,  and  oj)cned  a stock 
of  dry -goods. 


In  1866,  his  brother  Alphon.se  came  from  Canada,  and  was  taken 
in  as  a partner.  The  firm  of  F.  O.  Pigeon  & Brother  continued 
until  1871,  when  F.  O.  Pigeon  retired  from  the  concern  and  went 
back  to  Canada,  and  remained  two  years.  During  his  stay  there 
he  purchased  a fiirm  for  his  father  and  mother. 

In  1873,  he  established  a dry-goods  house  at  Ottawa,  Canada. 
His  youngest  brother,  H.  H.  Pigeon,  who  had  been  a clerk  in  the 
dry-goods  house  of  J.  V.  Faiuvell  & Co.,  of  Chicago,  came  and 
assisted  as  clerk.  He  remained  in  Ottawa  until  1874,  when  he  sold 
out  to  his  brother,  H.  H.  Pigeon.  He  returned  to  Assumption  and 
went  into  the  store  with  his  brother  Alphonse,  where  he  remained 
until  1877,  when  he  commenced  the  grain  and  lumber  trade,  in 
which  he  has  continued  to  the  present  time. 

On  the  1st  of  May,  1861,  he  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Lea- 
poldine  Beauchamp.  She  is  also  a native  of  Canada.  Mrs.  Pigeon 
is  an  accomplished  lady,  and  was  educated  at  the  Convent  of  Lon- 
guiel,  Canada.  She  speaks  fluently  both  the  English  and  French 
languages,  and  is  also  well  educated  in  the  classical  languages,  and 
well  informed  u2)on  the  current  literature  of  the  past  and  present. 

Mr.  Pigeon  is  one  of  the  representative  and  prominent  business  men 
of  the.  county.  In  addition  to  his  mercantile  pursuits,  he  has  also 
dealt  largely  in  real  estate,  and  has  at  the  present  time  a considera- 
ble body  of  land  in  the  county.  He  is  also,  in  addition  to  his  grain 
business,  engaged  in  buying  and  selling  real  estate.  In  politics  he 
is  a democrat,  and  in  religion  a Roman  Catholic. 

Thus  have  we  briefly  sketched  Mr.  F.  O.  Pigeon.  In  all  of  his 
busy  life,  and  in  his  many  business  transactions,  he  has  always 
sustained  the  reputation  of  a strictly  honest  and  honorable  man, 
meeting  his  obligations  promptly  and  paying  the  last  farthing. 
He  has  kept  up  his  reputation  with  the  merchants  of  Chicago,  and 
in  his  native  country.  This  was  the  reason  he  could  purchase  any 
amount  of  goods  upon  any  reasonable  time. 

In  his  manners  he  is  a polite,  affiibleand  agreeable  gentleman,  of 
good  address  and  easy  conversation,  and  one  whom  it  is  a genuine 
pleasure  to  meet.  A view  of  his  fine  residence  and  farm  can  be 
seen  on  another  page  of  this  work. 


WILLIAM  L.  COHENOUR. 

The  Cohenour  family  is  of  Welsh  and  German  extraction  on 
the  paternal  side  and  Irish  on  the  maternal.  The  ancestors  came 
to  America  long  before  the  revolutionary  war  and  settled  in  Penn- 
sylvania, Avhere  John  Cohenour,  the  paternal  grandfather,  was  born 
in  1794.  He  was  a native  of  Lancaster  county.  He  came  to  Illi- 
nois in  1836  and  settled  in  Pike  county,  where  he  remained  until 
bis  death,  in  1869.  He  married  Dorotha  Lawrence ; she  also  died 
in  Pike  county.  Ills.  Jacob  N.  Cohenour,  the  father  of  William 
L.,  was  born  in  Lancaster  county.  Pa.,  Dec.  11,  1811.  He  married 
Jane  Likely,  of  Huntingdon  county.  Pa.  She  was  born  April  8 
1811.  Mr.  Cohenour  came  west  in  the  fall  of  1836,  and  landed  in 
Pike  county  Nov.  4th  of  the  same  year.  He  was  a carpenter  and 
cabinet-maker  by  trade,  and  worked  at  the  business  for  a number  of 
years.  He  remained  in  Pike  county  until  his  death,  which  occurred 
Nov.  15th,  1868.  His  wife  died  iu  the  same  county  April  9th, 
1857.  After  the  death  of  his  first  wife  he  married  Mrs.  Nancy 
Jane  AVest.  She  died  June  13th,  1861.  He  afterwards  mar- 
ried Sarah  Layton.  She  died  in  1869.  By  the  first  marriage 
there  were  nine  children,  four  of  whom  are  living.  By  the  second 
one  child,  and  by  the  third  one  boy,  named  Elmer  Cohenour.  Wil- 
liam L.,  the  subject  of  this  sketch,  is  the  second  child  by  the  first 
marriage.  He  was  born  in  Pike  county  Sept.  10th,  1837. 

He  attended  the  common  schools  of  Pike  county  and  the  acade- 


188 


III  STORY  OF  CHRISTIAN  COUNTY,  ILLINOIS. 


my  at  Pittsfield,  and  received  a fair  education  in  the  English 
branchts,  sufficient  at  least  to  fit  him  for  the  profession  of  teaching. 
At  the  age  of  eighteen  he  entered  a general  store  in  Pittsfield,  where 
he  remained  a short  time,  then  went  to  New  Salem  and  spent  sev- 
eral years  in  a general  store.  He  then  spent  one  year  in  Kansas, 
and  on  his  return  to  Illinois  stopped  in  St.  Clair  county,  where  he 
followed  teaching  fijr  three  years.  On  the  10th  of  December,  18G3, 
he  was  united  in  marriage  to  iMiss  ^lary  S.  Moore,  who  is  a native 
of  St.  Clair  county.  The  Moore  family  is  an  old  one,  and  came  to 
Illinois  before  the  State  was  admitted  into  the  Union.  After  his 
marriage  Mr  Cohenour  removed  to  Bond  county,  and  in  the  spring 
of  1865  came  to  Christian  county  and  settled  in  Assumption  town- 
ship, where  he  has  continued  to  reside,  engaged  in  farming.  Six 
children  have  been  born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Cohenour.  Their 
names  are  Charles  Albert,  Jacob  Atlas,  William  Likely,  Mirtie 
Jane,  Henry  Howard  and  Cora  JoseiJiine.  All  are  yet  beneath 
the  parental  roof.  He  is  a democrat  in  politics.  His  first  vote 
was  cast  for  Stephen  A.  Douglas  in  1860,  since  which  time  he  has 
been  a member  of  that  political  organization.  He  at  present  repre- 
sents his  township  in  the  Board  of  Supervisors.  His  wife  is  a mem- 
ber of  the  iM.  E.  Church.  He  is  in  habits  a temperance  man.  He 
was  in  1873  elected  Justice  of  the  Peace,  and  held  the  office  for  one 
term.  His  neighbors  say  of  him  that  he  is  a good  neighbor  and 
an  honorable,  upright  man,  who  has  many  friends  wherever  he  is 
known. 


S.  .M.  COONBOD. 

The  Coonrod  family,  on  the  paternal  side,  are  of  German  extrac 
tion.  Stei)hen  Coonrod,  father  of  tlie  present  family,  was  a native 
of  Harden  county,  Ky.  He  was  born  in  1797.  He  emigrated  to 
Illinois  in  1819,  and  settled  in  Wayne  county,  wdiere  he  remained 
nine  years,  after  wliich  he  moved  to  Greene  county,  and  located 
near  Greenfield,  and  remained  there  until  his  death,  which  event 
occurred  in  December,  1872.  His  occupation  was  that  of  a farmer. 
He  was  ahso  a regularly  ordained  Baptist  minister.  He  married 
Candice  Lee  ; she  was  born  in  1800.  She  was  also  a native  of  Ken- 
tucky. The  marriage  was  solemnized  prior  to  iMr.  Coonrod’s  com- 
ing to  Illinois.  She  died  in  November,  1879.  There  were  ten 
children  born  to  them,  eight  of  whom  are  living.  The  subject  of 
this  sketch  is  the  seventh  in  the  family.  He  was  born  in  Greene 
county,  Illinoi.s,  December  2d,  1836.  He  was  reared  on  the  farm 
and  attended  school  during  winter.  His  advantages  for  receiving 
an  education  in  his  youth  were  exceedingly  limited.  He  remained 
at  home  until  he  was  twenty-six  years  of  age.  He  then  went  into 
Greenfield  with  his  father,  and  in  connection  with  his  brother,  en- 
gaged in  general  merchandizing,  in  which  he  continued  until  1866, 
when,  in  .lanuary  of  that  year,  he  went  to  Prairieton  township  in 
Christian  county,  where  he  had  a farm,  and  for  the  next  two  years, 
(■mna^ed  in  the  cultivation  of  the  .soil.  He  then  went  to  IMacon,  in 
.Macon  county.  Ills.,  where  he  remained  one  year,  then  one  year  in 
Stonington,  and  then  came  to  Assumption  and  opened  a dry- 
goods store.  One  year  later  he  sold  out  the  store,  an  1 six  months 
afterwards  engaged  in  the  grocery  and  provision  businc.ss,  in  which 
lie  has  ctmtinucil  to  the  present. 

t)n  the  21st  of  September,  1870,  he  was  united  in  marriage  to 
Mi.ss  Ih  ttic  B.  Chilton,  a native  of  Virginia,  but  a resident  of  Jer- 
sey county  at  the  time  of  her  marriage.  He  and  his  wife  are 
mendicrs  of  tin'  Christian  Church.  He  is  an  active  anil  earnest 
worker  in  the  church,  and  contributes  very  liberally  towards  it.s 
maintenance  In  politics  he  is  a democrat.  His  first  vote  was  cast 
for  Stc|ihen  .\.  Douglas  for  president  in  1860.  On  the  suliject  of 
tein|)erancc  he  is  an  advocate  of  the  cause.  He  has  been  a meml)er 


of  the  board  of  trustees  of  his  village.  In  his  walk  and  conversa- 
tion, IMr.  Coonrod  is  an  upright  Christian  gentleman,  and  an  hon- 
orable man  Such  is  the  verdict  of  his  friends  and  neighbors  who 
have  known  him  for  a number  of  years.  It  is  with  pleasure  that 
we  present  him  to  our  many  readers,  as  one  of  the  stirring,  active 
business  men  of  Assumption. 


DUDLEY  J.  AVATSON. 

The  Watson  family  on  the  paternal  side  are  of  English  descent, 
and  on  the  maternal,  Irish.  His  grandfather,  Nathaniel  AVatson, 
was  a native  of  Virginia,  and  moved  to  Kentucky  at  an  early  day. 
His  son,  Dudley  G.,  father  of  the  subject  of  this  sketch,  wais  born 
in  Anderson  county,  Ky.,  in  1812.  He  grew  to  manhood,  married 
and  remained  in  that  state  until  the  spring  of  1857,  when  he  came 
to  Illinois  and  settled  in  Prairieton  township,  Christian  county, 
whei-e  he  has  remained  to  the  present  time  engaged  in  farming,  which 
has  been  the  principal  busine.ss  of  his  life.  He  is  also  a regularly 
ordained  minister  in  the  Baptist  Church.  He  married  Jane  Rob- 
ison. She  was  also  born  and  raised  in  Anderson  county,  Ky. 
Twelve  children  have  been  born  to  them,  six  boys  and  six  girls. 
Ten  of  the  children  are  still  living.  Dudley  J.  is  the  fourth  in  the 
I'arnily.  He  was  born  in  Anderson  county,  Ky.,  June  11th,  1841. 
II  is  schooling  was  obtained  in  his  native  state,  and  after  he  came 
with  his  father  to  Illinois.  He  remained  and  made  his  home  at  his 
father’s  house  until  he  was  twenty-eight  years  of  age,  but  he  prac- 
tically commenced  life  for  himself  after  he  was  sixteen  years  of  age. 

On  the  28th  of  October,  1868,  he  was  united  in  marriage  to 
Aliss  Sarah  McDaniel.  Her  ])arents  were  natives  of  Kentucky. 
She,  however,  was  born  in  Indiana,  and  came  with  her  parents  to 
Illinois  while  she  was  yet  in  her  childhood.  She  was  a resident  of 
IMosquito  township,  Christian  county,  at  the  time  of  her  marriagi'. 
On  the  5th  of  March,  1873,  Mr.  Watson  came  to  Assumption  and 
engaged  in  the  grocery,  jirovision,  boot  and  shoe  trade,  in  which  he 
continued  for  five  years,  when  he  sold  out,  and  in  the  fall  of  1877 
commenced  the  business  of  baling,  dealing  in  and  shipping  hay,  in 
which  he  still  continues. 

Air.  W.  and  his  wife  are  members  of  the  Christian  Church  of 
Assumption.  He  takes  an  active  interest  in  that  Christian  organi- 
zation, and  is  among  its  most  liberal  supporters.  He  is  a member 
of  Bromwell  Lodge,  .A.  F-  A A.  M.  No.  451,  Assuni[)tion,  Ills. 
Upon  the  suliject  of  temperance  he  is  radical,  and  an  active  advo- 
cate of  the  same. 

In  politics  he  cast  his  fir.-t  presidential  vote  in  1864  for  Gen.  Geo. 
B.  McClellan,  and  from  that  time  to  the  present  has  been  a prom- 
inent member  of  that  political  organization. 

Air.  AVatson  is  an  old  settler  of  the  county.  He  came  here  in 
1857,  and  since  that  time  has  been  known  as  an  honorable,  upright 
citizen  aTid  honoft  man. 


S.  A.  A J.  C.  SH.VFER. 

TiiEsubjects  of  the  follow  ing  sketch  were  born  in  Fairfield  county, 
Ohio,  on  the  7th  of  Nov  , 1851,  and  7th  ol'July,  1852.  The  Shafer 
family  is  an  old  one  in  the  history  of  that  state.  Their  great 
uncle,  Al)salom  Shafer,  was  the  first  white  child  born  in  Fairfield 
county.  Geo.  A.  Shafer,  the  father  of  the  pre.sent  family,  was  born 
in  that  state,  as  was  also  his  father  before  him.  They  were  farm- 
ers and  tillers  of  the  soil.  Some  of  them  also  engaged  in  the  tan- 
ning bu.'ines.s.  Geo.  .A.  Shafer  came  west  in  1854  and  settled  in 
Shelby  county,  Illinois.  He  entered  two  hundred  acres  of  land  in 
Christian  county.  He  sold  out  six  months  later  at  an  advance  of 
six  dollar.s  [ler  acre,  and  then  removed  to  Tazewell  county,  in  this 


rAfiM  AND  Res. OF  A.  J . M 9 vv  I LLI A M S.  S Ec.  28  , Jp.Ua  R.l  E.  C hristian  Co.,1  u. 


S * t*'- 


' ■ r-r,-''i-  " ‘-.V.-- 


Farm  AND  Res.  of  W M . L.  CO  H EN  OU  R , Sec.2'1  , Tp.  (l£j  R.  I £.  C h H i stian  C o.,  I ll 


Llbfify 
of  the 

of  flff"«*« 


HISTORY  OF  CHRISTIAN  COUNTY,  ILLINOIS. 


189 


State,  and  settled  two  miles  cast  of  Washington,  where  he  remained 
until  1873,  when  he  removed  to  Christian  county  and  settled  in 
Assumption  township,  where  he  at  present  resides.  He  married 
Catharine  A.  Myers.  She  is  a native  of  Fairfield  county,  Ohio. 
Her  father  was  a I’ennsylvauian  by  birth  ; they  were  also  an  old 
family  and  among  the  first  settlers  of  Ohio.  There  were  seven 
children  born  to  them,  four  boys  and  three  girls,  all  living  except 
one  son,  who  died  in  infancy.  The  education  of  the  subjects  of 
this  sketch  was  obtained  in  the  common  schools  of  Tazewell  county. 
They  made  rapid  progress  in  their  studies,  and  are  now  well  quali- 
fied to  carry  on  successfully  the  business  of  life.  Both  remained  at 
home  at  work  on  the  farm  until  1872,  when  S.  A.  came  to  Assump- 
tion township,  where  he  farmed  during  the  summer  mbuths,  and 
returned  to  Tazewell  county  and  taught  school  through  the  winter. 
He  thus  farmed  and  taught  school  for  three  terms.  In  1877  he  came 
to  the  village  of  Assumption  and  engaged  in  the  hardware,  tinware 
and  agricultural  implement  trade.  At  that  time  he  was  associated  in 
the  business  wdth  J.  K.  Edmunds.  This  partnership  lasted  for  seven 
months,  when  Edmunds  retired  and  Charles  Kincaide  took  his  place 
and  remained  four  months,  after  which  J.  C.  Shafer,  one  of  the 
subjects  of  this  sketch,  came  in,  and  from  that  time  to  the  present 
the  firm  of  S.  A.  Shafer  & Co.  has  continued.  Both  are  young, 
active  and  live  business  men,  and  it  will  be  no  fault  of  theirs  if  the 
community  in  which  they  live  are  not  supplied  with  everything  in 
their  line  of  trade.  Their  stock  is  large,  and  consequently  they  are 
in  a condition  to  supply  the  public  with  what  they  want.  The 
additional  fact  that  they  sell  goods  at  very  small  margins  gives 
them  a large  trade  through  the  surrounding  country. 

Ill  politics  they  belong  to  the  republican  party.  Both  are  mem- 
bers of  the  Independent  Order  of  Forresters.  S.  A.  is  a member 
of  the  United  Brethren  Church,  as  are  also  his  father  and  mother. 
J.  C.  and  other  members  of  the  family  are  members  of  the  1\I.  E. 
('hurch.  Both  are  members  of  the  temperance  organization  and 
advocates  of  the  cause. 

JOHN  B.  KEMERER 

Was  born  in  Fairfield  county,  Ohio,  near  Lancaster,  June  14, 1837. 
The  family  on  the  the  paternal  side  is  of  German  ancestry,  and  on 
the  maternal  Swiss.  Philip  Kemerer,  the  paternal  grandfather, 
emigrated  from  Lancaster,  Pennsylvania,  to  Ohio  in  1801,  while 
that  .state  was  yet  under  territorial  form  of  government.  During 
the  first  administration  of  General  Jackson,  Philip  Kemerer  re- 
ceived a grant  of  1000  acres,  in  consideration  of  services  rendered 
as  one  of  the  pioneers  of  the  state.  The  grant  was  located  in  Ro-s 
county.  It  was  then  not  considered  valuable,  but  since  that  time 
the  city  of  Chillicothe  has  been  erected  upon  it.  Philip  Kemeier 
died  in  Ohio.  His  son  Joseph,  and  father  of  the  present  sketch,  was 
born  in  Lancaster  county,  Pa.  He  died  in  Ohio,  in  Septendier, 
1847.  His  death  occurred  from  milk-sickness,  at  the  town  of  Finley, 
where  he  was  on  his  way  to  Indiana  to  enter  land.  He  married 
Salome  Bowser.  She  was  of  Swiss  parentage.  Her  parents  came 
to  America  about  the  close  of  the  Revolutionary  war.  She  was  a 
resident  of  Ohio  at  the  time  of  her  marriage.  She  died  in  Assump- 
tion township,  Christian  county,  Illinois,  in  September,  18G8.  There 
were  ten  children  in  the  family — six  sons  and  four  daughters.  The 
eldest  and  two  youngest  sons  are  dead,  leaving  seven  children  who 
have  survived  the  parents.  Mrs-  Kemerer  came  west  to  Christian 
county,  in  April,  1856.  John  B.  had  preceded  them  two  years. 
He  came  here  in  the  spring  of  1854,  and  put  up  a shanty  on  the 
prairie,  on  land  that  the  family  had  entered  prior  to  this  time. 
They  had  entered  some  1200  acres.  At  the  time  he  built  his  house, 
it  was  the  only  one  on  the  prairie.  After  the  family  came,  he  made 


his  home  with  them  until  1859,  when,  in  the  spring  of  that  year,  he, 
in  company  with  six  others,  made  the  trip  to  Pike’s  Peak.  They 
left  in  March  and  arrived  in  Denver  in  June,  and  in  July 
reached  the  Peak.  While  there,  he  was  engaged  for  the  most  part 
in  mining.  He  remained  there  for  eighteen  months,  and  then  re- 
turned home.  On  the  7th  of  August,  1862,  he  enlisted  in  company 
G,  116th  Regt.  Ills.  Infty.  The  regiment  was  raised  in  Christian 
and  Macon  countie.s,  and  was  organized  and  rendezvoused  at  Camp 
Macon,  in  Decatur.  From  there  they  were  ordered  to  ^Memphis, 
and  were  attached  to  the  Army  of  the  Tennessee.  They  partici- 
pated in  the  battles  of  JMission  Ridge  and  Atlanta  campaign,  after 
which  the  regiment  went  with  Sherman  on  his  famous  march  to  the 
sea.  While  in  the  service  he  was  si  ghtly  wounded  twice.  He 
was  mustered  out  June  7,  1865,  at  the  close  of  the  war,  near  Wash- 
ington City,  and  discharged  at  Springfield,  Illinois. 

On  the  7th  of  November,  1866,  he  was  united  in  marriage  to 
IMiss  Elizabeth  Chambers,  a native  of  Licking  county,  Ohio.  She 
was  born  Sept.  27,  1841.  Her  father,  James  Chambers,  was  a 
native  of  Pennsylvania,  and  her  mother  was  Nancy  Lyons  before 
marriage.  She  was  born  in  County  Antrim,  in  the  north  of  Ire- 
land. The  date  of  her  birth  was  1812.  She  came  with  her  father’s 
family  to  America  in  1825.  INIrs.  Kemerer  was  a resident  of  JMoiit- 
gomerv  county.  Ills.,  at  the  time  of  her  marriage.  She  came  to 
Illinois  in  1864.  By  this  marriage  there  are  three  children — two 
daughters  and  one  son.  Their  names  are  Alma  Adelia,  Westela 
Alfretta,  and  John  Martin  Kemerer.  INIr.  K.  and  wife  are  mem- 
bers of  the  Presbyterian  Church. 

In  politics,  he  is  a republican.  He  was  formerly  a Douglas 
democrat.  He  is  a member  of  Bromwell  Lodge,  No.  451,  A F.  & 
A.  U.  II  is  wife  is  also  a member  of  the  Eastern  Star  Masonry. 

j\Ir.  Kemerer  is  one  of  the  old  settlers  of  the  township.  When 
he  came  here  the  country  was  one  broad  expanse  of  unbroken 
prairie,  over  which  roamed  herds  of  deer,  flocks  of  wild  turkeys 
and  wolves.  Here  he  has  spent  the  best  years  of  his  life.  He  has 
seen  the  country  grow  from  a comparative  wilderness  to  be  one  of  the 
favored  spots  in  central  Illinois,  the  landscape  dotted  over  with 
farm-houses  and  thrifty  villages.  In  life  he  has  been  reasonably 
successful.  Few  men  have  more  friends,  and  none  arc  more  kindly 
spoken  of  than  John  B.  Kemerer  and  his  excellent  wife. 


iAHLE8  B.  TRAVIS. 

The  subject  of  this  sketch  is  a native  of  Indiana  county.  Pa.  He 
was  born  Jan  nary  23d,  1851.  H is  father,  Thomas  M.  T ravis,  is  a na- 
tive of  the  same  state.  He  came  to  Shelby  county,  Ills.,  in  1855,  and 
remained  thereuntil  1869,  when  he  settled  in  Assumption,  Christian 
county,  where  he  still  resides.  He  married  Jane  G.  Barrett.  She 
is  a native  of  Virginia.  There  were  thirteen  children  born  to  them, 
five  of  whom  are  living;  the  others  all  died  in  infarcy,  except  one 
daughter,  Cora  C.,  who  died  in  her  thirtieth  year.  Miles  B.  is  the 
third  in  the  family.  He  received  a good  education  in  the  excellent 
schools  of  Assumption.  In  1872,  he  engaged  in  the  drug  business, 
in  which  he  has  continued  to  the  present  time.  On  the  26th  of  Oct, 
1875,  he  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Mary  J.  Adams,  a native 
of  Ohio.  She  was  a resident,  however,  of  Assumption  at  the  time 
of  her  marriage.  There  has  been  one  child,  a boy,  born  to  them, 
named  ^Lange  B.  Travis.  He  and  his  wife  are  members  of  the 
Presbyterian  Church.  He  is  a member  of  the  I.  O.  O.  F.,  and  is 
a radical  temperance  man  and  a strong  advocate  of  the  cause.  In 
politics  he  votes  the  republican  ticket.  He  has,  as  stated  above, 
been  engaged  in  the  drug  trade  since  1872.  Mr.  Travis  is  veiy  ac- 
commodating, of  a pleasing  address,  and  understands  his  business 


190 


HISTORY  OF  CHRISTIAN  COUNTY,  ILLINOIS. 


thoroughly.  He  is  well  adapted,  and  prepared  to  cater  to  the  wants 
of  the  public  in  his  line.  His  brother,  Byron  Travis,  is  engaged  in 
the  hardware  trade. 


JAMES  RUBLE  MILLIGAN  1 

Was  born  in  Champaign  county,  Ohio,  July  30th,  1835.  The 
INIilligan  family  is  of  Irish  ancestry.  William,  the  paternal  grand-  | 
father,  in  company  with  a brother,  came  from  Ireland  to  America  i 
about  the  close  of  the  revolutionary  war.  He  settled  in  Penusyl-  , 
vania  where,  in  1795,  William,  his  son,  and  father  of  the  subject  of 
the  present  sketch,  was  born.  He  was  a tanner  by  trade,  and  carried 
on  that  business  through  life.  He  removed  to  Ohio  between  the 
years  1825  and  1830,  and  remained  in  that  state  during  the  [ 

balance  of  his  life.  He  died  in  1849.  He  married  Eliza  Pollock. 
She  was  a native  of  Ohio  county,  Virginia.  She  survived  her  hu.s-  I 
band  many  years.  Some  years  after  his  death  she  came  west  to  [ 
Taylorville,  Christian  county,  to  join  her  children,  and  died  there 
in  November,  1870,  at  the  home  of  Samuel  Milligan,  her  eldest  son. 
There  were  nine  children  by  this  union,  five  of  whom  have  survived 
the  parents.  James  R is  the  fifth  son  in  the  family  of  eight  boys 
and  one  girl.  His  education  was  obtained  in  the  common  schools  ; 

of  his  native  county.  His  father  dying  while  he  was  yet  young,  he  { 

was  deprived  of  the  advantages  of  such  an  education  as  usually  falls 
to  the  lot  of  most  youths.  He  was  compelled  at  an  early  age  to 
j)rovide  for  his  own  maintenance,  and  made  his  home  with  his 
mother  until  his  marriage.  He  worked  around  the  country  in  ! 

the  meantime,  at  such  work  as  he  could  find  to  do.  In  1851,  he  I 

commenced  running  a steam  engine.  He  remained  at  that  business  | 

until  1857,  when  he  came  w'est  to  Illinois,  and  stopped  in  Taylor-  j 
ville  with  his  brother  Samuel,  who  had  preceded  him  there  the  year 
before.  The  first  four  years  in  Illinois  w'cre  spent  in  liirming.  In 
]8bl  he  removed  to  Taylorville,  and  worked  for  W.  W.  Anderson. 

In  the  fall  of  1862  he  went  into  the  Forrest  City  mills,  and  con- 
tinued there  until  April,  1866,  when  he  removed  to  Assumption, 
Christian  county,  Illinois,  and  there,  in  connection  with  CharKs 
j’uwel  and  Reuben  Wilkinson,  purchased  a stock  of  lumber  and 
<mgagedin  the  lumber,  coal  and  grain  trade.  The  piirtnersh ip  con- 
tinued until  1871,  when  Charles  Percy  purchased  Bowel’s  interest. 

In  1875  Wilkin.son  retired,  and  since  that  time  the  firm  of  Milligan 
A Percy  has  continued  the  business.  In  1871  the  company  built  j 
the  present  elevator  and  mill  combined,  and  since  that  time  have 
also  engaged  in  milling. 

On  the  29th  of  April,  1855,  he  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  I 
M.irgaret  .MeCafi'rey.  She  was  born  and  raisetd  in  Covington,  Ky. 
f^even  children  have  Ijcen  born  to  tliem — two  sons  and  five  daugh- 
ters. Tlieir  names  are  Mary  Alice,  Ida  Bell,  Jcs.se  Anderson,  now 
a resident  of  Diamond  Si)rings,  iUorris  county,  Kansas,  James 
Lawrence,  Ma  y,  Laurie  and  Lillie  Milligan.  All  except  Je-^sic  A. 
are  yet  at  home.  Botli  he  ami  his  estimable  wife  and  two  eldest 
<laugliters  arc  members  of  the  Christian  ( 'liurch.  1 Ic  takes  an  active 
part  in  sustaining  tliat  Christian  organization,  ami  gives  lil)crally 
(pf  his  means  to  that  end.  In  politics  he  gives  in  his  adherence^  to 
t!ic  repul)lican  party.  H(!  may  be  cla.<sed  among  the  original  rc- 
put)licans,  as  his  first  presidential  vote  was  cast  for  .lohn  C.  Fre- 
mont, in  I85f>,  since  whicli  time  he  lias  lieen  a member  of  that 
ppilitieal  party.  lie  is  an  advocate  of  tlie  temperance  cause,  and  has 
lieen  freipiciit ly  elected  as  tru.-tee  of  his  village  upon  the  Temper- 
ance 'ficket.  lie  has  also  been  Presiilent  of  the  Board  for  several 
terms,  lb'  is  a member  of  the  ancient  and  honorable  onh-r  of 
I'reemaspuiry,  and  takes  an  active  part  in  the  work  and  deliberations 
Ilf  that  b idv.  lb'  ha'  failhf'ullv  serveil  the  <'raft  in  the  “ East  ” for 


a number  of  years,  where  he  has  presided  with  dignity  and  accepta- 
bility, becoming  the  executive  officer  of  a Lodge  of  Masons  He  is 
a bright  Mason  ami  a good  worker  in  the  order. 

This  is  briefly  a sketch  of  the  life  of  one  of  Assumption’s  active 
business  men  and  best  citizens.  His  life  has  been  a succe.ss,  not  so 
much,  perhaps,  in  the  accumulation  of  great  riches,  but  in  the 
gathering  together  of  sufficient  of  this  world’s  goods  to  make  him 
comfortable,  and  in  the  posse.ssion  of  good  health  and  a mind  freed 
from  the  perplexing,  arduous  duties  of  life,  which  corrode  and  fre- 
quently make  existence  a burden.  He  started  in  life  unaided. 
What  he  has,  has  been  the  result  of  a life  of  industry,  economy  and 
frugality.  He  is  liberal  minded  and  charitable,  and  gives  freely  of 
his  means  to  every  worthy  object.  In  the  community  where  he 
resides  none  stand  higher,  nor  have  more  character  for  integrity  and 
honesty  than  Mr.  Milligan. 


T.  F.  RASBACH. 

The  subject  of  this  sketch  is  of  Dutch  descent.  His  grand- 
parents were  natives  of  Holland,  and  were  among  the  early  settlers 
of  New  York.  His  father,  John  M.,  was  born  in  Herkimer  c mnty, 
in  that  state.  He  was  a contractor  upon  the  public  works  of  the 
state.  He  remained  in  New  York  until  his  death,  which  occurred 
in  1858.  He  married  Rosanna  DeLong,  whe  was  of  French 
ancestry.  She  died  in  1852.  There  were  fourteen  children  born 
to  them,  eight  sons  and  six  daughters.  Seven  of  the  sons  are  still 
living.  Thaddeus  F.  is  the  seventh  son  and  the  twelfth  child.  He 
was  born  on  the  German  Flatts,  Herkimer  county.  New  York,  Sep- 
tember 15,  1842.  His  boyhood  days  were  spent  at  home,  and  in 
the  schools  of  his  native  county.  His  father  being  an  invalid  and 
dying  while  Thaddeus  was  quite  young,  he  was  compelled  at  an 
early  age  to  jirovide  for  his  own  support.  The  first  work  he  did 
was  to  clerk  in  a dry-goods  store  in  Herkimer  village,  where  he  re- 
mained for  two  years.  He  then  came  west  to  Chicago,  and  from 
there  to  Sycamore,  in  DeKalb  county,  and  clerked  at  the  latter 
place  one  winter,  then  came  to  Clinton,  in  DaAVitt  county,  and  from 
there  in  1857,  went  into  the  Illinois  railroad  as  newsboy,  then  brakes- 
man, baggage  master  and  up  to  conductor.  He  remained  in  the 
employment  of  the  Illinois  Central  road  until  the  breaking  out  of 
the  war,  when  he  enlisted  as  a private  in  Co.  “C,”  13th  Illinois 
Volunteers,  for  three  year.s,  (Jol.  J.  B.  AVyman  commanding.  He 
went  out  in  Ajiril,  1861,  under  the  three  months  calls,  and  was 
sworn  in  to  the  three  years  service  on  the  4th  of  May  following. 
The  regiment  went  to  Caseyville,  near  St.  Louis,  laid  there  two 
weeks,  and  on  the  5th  of  July,  pas.sed  through  St.  Louis  to  Rolla, 
INIissouri.  The  first  regular  battle  in  which  the  regiment  engaged, 
was  at  the  assault  on  Vicksburg,  in  December,  1861,  in  which  they 
suffered  severely.  The  command  was  belter  known  as  “ AVyman’s 
Brigade.”  They  were  more  familiarly  known  as  “ Wyman’s  Grey 
Backs,”  from  the  fact  that  they  had  suits  of  rebel  grey,  one 
thousand  of  which  had  been  captured  and  sent  to  them,  and  worn 
by  them  as  uniforms.  After  the  battle  of  Vicksburg,  the  command 
came  to  Arkan.'as  Post,  and  was  in  the  engagement  and  capture 
of  that  place,  after  which  they  went  to  .Memphis,  then  to  Pittsburg 
Landing,  and  from  there  followed  Sherman  in  his  famous  march  to 
the  sea.  After  the  battle  of  Vicksburg,  Mr.  Rasbach  was  taken 
sick  and  .sent  into  hosiiital.  lie  afterwards  went  with  the  regiment 
to  .Arkansas  Post,  and  was  in  the  battle,  and  also  went  to  Pittsburg 
Landing.  There  he  again  was  sent  to  hospital,  and  from  there  was 
sent  home  on  a forty  days  furlough.  His  furlough  cxjiired  before 
he  recovered  ; he  had  it  renewed,  and  when  it  again  expircil,  his 
time  of  enli>tment  was  out,  and  he  did  not  return  to  the  regiment. 


Tk«  UbfMfj 

of  the 

Udhr*r«ifv  ot  llllltofe. 


THEFfEsiDdNQL  AND  Stock  Farm  of  E J.  F R I B LEY.  Sec.  2f,T.  !2,H.I,  E.fAssuMPTiONTp)CHRisTiANCa,lLL 


F^is  andSuickIapm  or  ISOM  A DAMS . Src.2 1 ,T  I ( Prairietor  Tp.,J  Crristian  Co., III. 


T1i«  (.flbni^ 
of  th« 

U«ihr*>r«itv  nf 


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*9 


HISTORY  OF  CHRISTIAN  COUNTY,  ILLINOIS. 


101 


lie  never  fully  recovered  from  the  sic-kness  while  in  the  army,  and 
it  was  two  years  after  the  date  of  his  enlistment  expired  before  he 
gained  sufficient  strength  to  help  himself.  Ilis  discharge  bears  date 
Heptember  10,  1864.  The  first  winter  after  his  recovery  he  went 
back  on  the  Illinois  Central  railroad,  and  stayed  until  spring.  In 
May,  1867,  he  went  to  New  Orleans,  and  sold  wooden-ware,  brooms 
and  brushes  for  his  brother  who  was  in  business  in  that  place.  He 
remained  ten  months,  then  went  to  Galveston  and  Houston,  Texas, 
and  went  to  w'ork  on  the  Washington  branch  of  the  Houston  and 
Texas  Central  railroad  as  conductor,  where  he  remained  for  two 
years  there  and  on  the  main  line.  He  then  returned  north  and 
went  to  work  on  the  North  Division  of  the  Illinois  Central.  In 
1869,  he  was  sent  by  the  company  to  El  Paso,  as  yard-master.  He 
afterwards  w’as  assistant  in  the  freight  office,  and  took  charge  of  the 
baggage  for  the  I C.  and  T.  P.  & W-  railroads.  From  El  Paso 
in  April,  1871,  he  was  sent  to  Assumption  as  station  agent,  and  has 
been  here  up  to  the  present.  In  1874,  he  started  in  the  hotel  busi- 
ness in  addition  to  his  other  duties,  which  he  also  continues.  On 
the  11th  of  October,  18l/8,  he  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss 
Elizabeth  Malone,  a resident  of  Joe  Davis  county,  Illinois.  By  this 
marriage  there  has  been  two  children.  The  eldest,  Julia  May,  died 
in  her  ninth  year.  Edith  Estelle  is  yet  living,  a bright  and  win- 
some child.  In  politics  Mr.  Rasback  is  a republican.  He  is  a 
member  of  the  Lodge  of  A.  F.  & A.  M.,  No.  451,  Assumption, 
Illinois.  Both  he  and  his  wife  are  members  of  the  Presbyterian 
Church.  He  is  a temperate  man  and  an  advocate  of  the  cause.  In 
this  community  where  he  has  lived  for  a number  of  years  he  is 
regarded  as  an  upright  and  honorable  man.  As  an  officer  and 
station  agent  he  is  polite,  affable  and  accommodating,  and  gives 
good  satisfaction  to  the  patrons  of  the  road,  as  well  as  to  his  em- 
ployers. 


J.  A.  BRIDGE 

The  Bridge  family  on  the  paternal  .side  are  of  Irish  ancestry,  and 
on  the  maternal  German.  The  paternal  grandfather  was  a native 
of  New  Jersey.  He  at  an  early  day  removed  to  Indiana,  where 
he  was  killed  by  the  Indians.  Thomas  Bridge,  his  son  and  father 
of  J.  A.  was  born  in  Butler  county,  Ohio.  He  is  a farmer  and 
blacksmith.  He  is  now  a resident  of  Camden,  Preble  county, 
Ohio.  He  married  Susan  Wolf,  who  was  born  in  the  same  county. 
Her  father,  John  Wolf  moved  from  Virginia  to  Ohio  at  an  early 
day,  and  was  one  of  the  first  settlers  of  that  state.  By  this  mar- 
riage there  were  three  children,  two  boys  and  one  girl.  The  sub- 
ject of  this  sketch  was  the  first-born.  He  first  saw  the  light  of 
day  in  Preble  county,  Ohio,  October  31,  1840.  His  youth  was 
spent  upon  the  farm  and  in  the  schools  of  his  native  county.  After 
receiving  a fair  education  in  the  common  .schools  he  spent  one 
year  in  the  Ohio  Wesleyan  University.  When  the  war  broke  out 
he  was  among  the  first  to  enlist  under  the  first  three  months  call. 
He  was  a member  of  Co.  “ F,”  20th  Regt.  Ohio  Vols.  The  regiment 
was  ordered  to  West  Virginia,  and  remained  there  doing  j)rovost 
duty  until  time  of  enlistment  expired,  wdien  they  were  mustered  out 
and  he  returned  home  and  remained  at  work  upon  the  farm 
until  1864,  when  he  again  enlisted  in  the  156th  Regt.,  O.  V.,  and 
did  duty  in  Eastern  Virginia  and  Maryland.  The  date  of  his 
enlistment  expired  in  1865.  He  then  returned  home  and  worked 
at  the  tanning  business  for  one  year  and  a half.  In  the  spring  of 
1868  he  came  to  Illinois  and  settled  in  Assumption.  Here  he 
farmed  for  nine  months,  when  he  returned  to  Ohio  and  taught 
school  one  winter.  In  the  fall  of  1870  he  returned  to  Assum])tion 
and  went  to  work  on  the  elevator  that  was  then  building,  and 


afterwards  weighed  grain  for  Wilkinson  &.  Co.  for  three  years, 
then  bought  grain  for  Cornner,  afterward  ibr  F.  O.  Pigeon.  He 
continued  grain  buying  until  1877,  when  he  was  appointed  post- 
master. He  then  opened  a stock  of  groceries  and  provisions  in 
connection  with  the  post-office,  and  still  continues  in  that  trade. 

In  politics  he  has  been  a republican  since  1864,  when  he  cast  his 
first  jiresidential  vote  for  Abraham  Lincoln.  He  was  township 
collector  for  six  years,  and  apj)ointed  post  master  in  1877,  and  noAV 
performs  the  duties  of  that  office  in  a manner  acceptable  to  the 
citizens  of  Assumjttion  and  vicinity.  He  is  a respected  member  of 
Bromwell  Lodge  A.  F.  & A.  M.  No.  451,  and  is  also  a member  of 
the  I.  O.  O.  F.  since  1863. 

On  the  10th  of  March,  1862,  he  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss 
H.  F.  Mauzy.  She  is  a native  of  Preble  county,  Ohio.  One  child, 
a son  named  Herschel  L.,  is  the  fruit  of  this  union  ; he  is  engaged 
in  farming.  Mrs.  Bridge  is  a member  of  the  Christian  Church. 
As  a man  Mr.  Bridge  has  the  confidence  and  esteem  of  his  fellow- 
citizens.  During  the  past  year  Mr.  Bridge  has  also  been  engaged  in 
buying  and  shipping  live  stock. 

JAMES  RIDGE. 

Tins  gentleman,  one  of  the  early  settlers  of  Assumption  towmship, 
is  a native  of  England,  and  was  born  at  the  village  of  Stoke  Rivers, 
Devonshire,  on  the  11th  of  January,  1829.  His  father  was  James 
Ridge,  and  his  mother’s  maiden  name  was  Charity  Leworthey.  He 
was  raised  in  the  vicinity  where  he  was  born.  March  1st,  1851, 
he  married  Sarah  Tucker,  who  was  born  in  the  adjoining  parish  of 
vSwimbridge.  He  had  resolved  to  come  to  America,  and  consequently 
left  England  April  3d,  1851,  and  landed  with  his  young  wife  at 
Quebec,  May  5th,  and  from  that  place  they  came  immediately  to 
Illinois ; an  elder  brother  of  his  wife  had  settled  in  Greene  county, 
of  this  State,  and  they  went  to  that  locality.  Mr.  Ridge  was  fiirm- 
ing  then  until  the  spring  of  1860,  and  then  moved  on  a tract  of 
land  which  he  had  purchased  the  preceding  fall  in  Christian  county. 
He  began  improving  this  tract.  He  was  one  of  the  early  settlers 
on  the  prairie  in  his  neighborhood.  Mr.  Ridge  has  since  been 
farming  in  Assumption  township,  and  owns  tw’o  hundred  and  seven- 
ty-six acres  of  land.  He  has  tw’o  children,  David  James,  who  is 
farming  for  himself  in  Assumption  township,  and  Sarah  Ann.  One 
child  died  in  infancy.  Mr.  Ridge,  in  his  politics,  has  been  a mem- 
ber of  the  republican  party  ever  since  he  took  an  interest  in  public 
affairs.  His  first  vote  for  President  was  cast  for  Abraham  Lincoln 
Such  is  a brief  sketch  of  one  of  the  industrious  and  upright  citizens 
of  Assumption  township. 


FRANCIS  D.  MALHIOT. 

The  Malhiots  were  principally  interested  in  the  establishment  of 
the  French  colony  at  Assumption.  The  family  came  from  France 
to  Canada  about  two  hundred  years  ago,  and  settled  at  St.  Peters, 
on  the  St.  Lawrence  river.  INIichael  IMalhiot,  the  fiithcr  of  F.  D. 
jMalhiot,  was  born  at  St.  Peters,  and  took  as  his  wdfe  Marie  Louite 
Demars. 

Francis  D.  Malhiot  was  born  on  the  6th  of  March,  1816,  and 
was  the  next  to  the  youngest  of  a family  of  ten  children.  He  was 
raised  at  St.  Peters.  His  father  was  one  of  the  wealthiest  farmers 
of  that  part  of  Canada.  He  received  a good  education,  and  began 
the  study  of  law  soon  after  attaining  his  majority.  While  he  was 
a student  in  the  huv  office  the  rebellion  of  1837  broke  out,  and  he 
joined  his  fortunes  with  those  of  the  insurgents,  volunteering  in  a 
company  of  soldiers  raised  in  Montreal.  He  took  part  in  one  or 


192 


HISTORY  OF  CHRlSTIAy  COUNTY,  ILLINOIS. 


two  skirmishes,  but  iii-no  regular  battle.  His  brother,  E.  E ]Mal- 
liiot,  was  a colonel  in  the  rebel  forces.  Convinced  that  it  was  im- 
possible to  gain  their  ends  by  further  opposition  to  the  Canadian 
government,  he  and  his  brother  sought  refuge  in  the  United  States, 
spending  the  winter  of  1837-38  at  St.  Albans,  Vermont.  He  after- 
wards returned  to  St.  Peters,  and  lived  tliere  till  1840,  when  he 
went  to  Louisiana.  His  brother  was  admitted  to  practice  law  in 
that  state,  and  became  a lawyer  of  considerable  prominence.  He 
resided  on  a plantation  in  Assumption  j)arish.  Francis  D.  Malhiot 
was  the  proprietor  of  a hotel  at  Paincourtville,  in  the  parish  of  As- 
sumption, fur  three  years,  and  then  returned  to  Canada.  He 
became  the  owner  of  a flour-mill  and  saw-mill  at  Arthabaskaville, 
near  St-  Peters.  On  the  21st  of  February,  1843,  he  was  united  in 
marriage,  at  St.  Peters,  to  Marie  Zoo  Deland. 

In  1849,  the  year  of  the  great  excitement  consequent  on  the  dis- 
covery of  gold  on  the  Pacific  coast,  he  went  to  California.  For 
three  years  and  a-half  he  was  engaged  in  mining  gold,  most  of  the 
time  near  Sonora.  His  success  was  equal  to  that  of  most  of  the 
gold  seekers  who  thronged  to  California  in  expectation  of  an  easy 
fortune.  On  returning  to  Canada  he  built  another  saw-mill,  at 
Victoria,  on  the  Grand  Trunk  Railway.  He  had  one  flour-mill 
and  two  saw-mills  in  operation  at  the  same  time. 

In  the  year  1857  his  brother,  E E.  Malhiot,  purchased  thirty  sections 
of  land,  mostly  in  Assumption  township,  Christian  co  , Ills.  Francis 
D.  Malhiot  bought  one  section.  They  brought  from  Canada  about  one 
hundred  French  families,  and  settled  them  on  diflerent  portions  of 
these  tracts  of  land.  The  history  of  this  colony  is  already  well 
known  to  the  people  of  the  county,  and  is  spoken  of  elsewhere  in 
this  work.  iMany  of  the  French  families  still  reside  in  that  part  of 
the  county.  The  land  was  purchased  from  the  Illinois  Central 
Railroad  Company.  They  founded  the  town  of  Assumption,  re- 
ceiving its  name  from  the  parish  of  Assumption,  in  Louisiana,  in 
which  Colonel  E.  E.  Malhiot  had  his  home.  The  former  name  of 
the  railroad  station  was  Tacusa.  The  house  which  Mr.  Malhiot 
now  occupies  was  the  first  built  on  the  prairie  i:i  Assumption  town- 
ship,  and  he  has  lived  in  it  since  1857. 

M r.  and  Mrs.  IMalhiot  have  had  eleven  children,  whose  names 
are  as  follows:  Marie  Loui.se,  now  the  wife  of  Lawrence  Panneton, 
(jf  A.ssumj)tion  township;  Tiieodule  F.,  now  in  the  mercantile  busi- 
ness at  Radford  ; Arthur,  who  died  of  consumption,  in  1872,  at  the 
age  of  twenty-three ; Marie  Melvina,  who.se  de.ith  occurred  in  the 
yciir  1875,  at  the  age  of  twenty-two;  (,'lara  IMarie,  Philip  X , 


Francis  E , Adele  Marie,  Marie  Margaret,  Eugene  Alphonse,  and 
Gideon  IL  iiry. 

Politically,  the  Malhiot  family  has  been  attached  to  the  demo- 
cratic party  ever  since  their  residence  in  the  United  States,  and  all 
its  members  vote  that  ticket.  E.  E.  IMalhiot  died  in  Assumption 
township,  in  1875,  and  his  family  now  reside  in  Louisiana.  Francis 
D.  Malhiot,  since  his  residence  in  this  county,  has  been  altogether 
engaged  in  farming.  He  has  been  one  of  the  best  citizens  of  As- 
sumption township,  and  is  held  in  much  respect  for  his  many  excel- 
lent traits  of  character.  Though  he  has  passed  the  vigor  of  youth, 
he  is  fond  of  travel,  and  possesses  some  of  that  sj)irit  of  adventure 
which  seems  to  be  never  wholly  absent  from  the  French-Canadiati 
blood.  After  the  discovery  of  gold  at  the  Black  Hills,  he  went  out 
to  that  locality,  more  for  recreation  and  with  the  purpose  of  regain- 
ing his  health  than  with  the  object  of  seeking  gold,  and  spent  four 
months  there  during  the  year  1877. 

TIIEODULE  F.  MALHIOT 

Was  born  at  St.  Peters,  Canada,  on  the  11th  of  August,  1846,  and 
is  the  oldest  son,  and  the  third  child,  of  a family  of  eleven  children. 
He  lived  in  Canada  till  1857,  when  he  accompanied  his  father  to 
(_  hristian  county.  He  attended  school  in  Canada  before  leaving 
that  country,  and  the  public  schools  of  Assumption  after  coming  to 
this  county.  For  two  years  he  was  a student  at  St.  Joseph  College, 
at  Tentopolis,  in  Eftingham  county.  He  was  seventeen  years  old 
when  ho  left  that  institution,  and  afterward  attended  a course  at 
Bryant  & Stratton’s  Commercial  College,  at  Springfield,  with  the 
purpose  of  fitting  himself  for  a mercantile  career.  After  leaving 
school  he  was  employed  for  a time  on  his  father’s  farm.  From 
1868  to  1870  he  was  in  Louisiana,  spending  the  time  principally  on 
his  uncle’s  plantation  in  Assumption  parish.  In  the  year  1871, 
after  returning  to  Illinois,  he  formed  a partnership  with  Alphonse 
Pigeon,  and  embarked  in  the  mercantile  business  at  Assumption 
under  the  firm  name  of  Pigeon  & IMalhiot.  After  carry  ing  on  this 
business  a year  he  returned  to  his  father’s  farm,  and  was  engaged 
in  farming  till  the  summer  of  1878.  At  that  date  he  formed  a 
partnership  with  F ().  Pigeon,  and  opened  a store  at  Radford,  a 
station  on  the  Illinois  Central  road,  north  of  Assumption.  He  has 
since  been  engaged  in  business  at  that  point,  and  is  known  as  a 
j)opular  and  successful  business  man.  Beside  selling  goods  the  firm 
have  been  employed  quite  largely  in  buying  grain,  and  have  made 
Radford  quite  an  important  trading  point. 


F!  I ■ ( ' K 1 1 A 1 r r T O W i\  ,S  I I 1 u 


LCH  of  genuine  historic  importance  and  interest  (dusters 
around  old  Biickhart,  for  it  was  within  its  boundaries, 
tiuit  some  of  the  earlie.^t  settlements  in  the  county  were 
made.  It  was  not  surveyed  by  the  government  until 
1821 , alter  w liicli,  for  several  years,  the  emigrants  exercised  “ squat- 
ters’ ” rights. 

'I'he  towii.ship  of  Buckhart  is  situated  in  the  north-west  part  of 
the  comity,  and,  as  now  organized,  it  contains  alt  of  town.  14  N., 
range  2 \V.,  and  that  part  of  town.  14  N.,  range  3 W.,  that  lies 


east  and  north  of  the  South  Fork  of  the  Sangamon  river,— which 
forms  the  western  boundary. 

Buckhart  creek  enters  town.  14  X.,  range  2 W.,  in  section  24, 
and  crosses  in  a north-westcrnly  direction,  passing  out  on  the  north 
of  .section  five.  There  are  several  small  affluents  of  the  South  Fork 
flowing  throngh  the  wcsU'rn  part  of  the  township,  all  of  wdiich 
give  a supply  of  water  for  stock  purjioscs,  and  afibrd  a good 
drainage. 

There  is  a belt  of  timber,  ranging  from  one  to  three  miles  in 


Hi*  Lfbrwy 
of  (hfl 

fIMoortIty  of  IlUiMt*, 


■mm 


1 ,1 


BfWaWDtf 


PWWWB8KS' 


rV  ''■•C*''  ’('. 


"the  maples  ' ^Ceni;s  upon  the  Stock  Farm  or  th  e J 0 H N son  BRO?  S/Ti^ 


'aiim  'r-i '',v~  ■»  — r-w — ^ ^ ^ i I'li  i4ui!ujJ.k  A mu  KUT 


hristian  Co., Ill 


SSUMPTION 


TIm  Uhrvj 
•f  th« 
Unhrsnity  of 


HISTORY  OF  CHRISTIAN  COUNTY,  ILLINOIS. 


193 


■width,  along  the  east  side  of  the  South  Fork,  and  also  small  patches 
scattered  along  Buckhart  creek.  The  surface  is  a rolling  prairie. 
The  soil  is  a deep  black  loam,  very  fertile  and  pi-oductive. 

The  Springfield  division  of  the  O.  & M.  Railroad  enters  Buck- 
hart  township  in  section  31,  at  Sharjjsburg,  and  passes  out  of  the 
county  at  Campbellsburg. 

On  the  organization  of  the  county,  that  part  of  its  territory  em- 
braced within  town.  14  N.,  range  3 W.,  was  for  many  years  incor- 
porated into  the  West  and  South  Fork  precincts,  for  voting  pur- 
poses. But  as  the  county  increased  in  population,  and  taking  into 
account  the  inconvenience  of  crossing  the  river  at  times,  the  county 
court  formed  a new  precinct,  based  on  the  petition  of  I.  A.  Halford 
and  fifty-seven  other  legal  voters,  on  the  seventh  of  March,  1855, 
and  named  it  Buckhart. 

It  was  bounded  as  follows  : — “ Beginning  at  the  point  where  the 
range  line,  between  ranges  two  and  three,  intersect  on  the  north 
with  the  Sangamon  river  ; thence  south  on  said  line  to  Buckhart 
creek  ; thence  up  said  creek  to  the  line  dividing  section  thirty-two 
and  thirty-three,  town.  15 — 2 W. ; thence  south  on  section  line  di- 
viding town.  14  and  15  north  ; thence  east  to  the  north-east  corner 
of  section  three,  town.  14 — 2 W.  ; thence  south  four  miles  to  the 
Taylorville  precinct  line,  or  the  south-east  corner  of  section  22, 
town.  14 — 2 W. ; thence  west  on  said  precinct  line,  until  it  strikes 
the  South  Fork  of  the  Sangamon  river;  thence  down  the  river  to 
the  county  line,  and  thence  along  the  west  and  north  boundaries  of 
the  county  to  the  place  of  beginning.”  The  house  of  John  George 
on  section  11,  town.  14  N.,  range  3 W.,  was  designated  as  the  place 
of  holding  elections.  John  Fiery,  Peter  Porter  and  Benj.  Harris 
were  selected  the  first  judges  of  election  ; Win.  P.  Hazlett  and 
Daniel  De  Camp  were  elected  justices  of  the  peace,  and  C.  W.  Gra- 
ham and  M.  H.  Berry,  constables,  June  4th,  1855.  It  was  subse- 
quently changed  to  its  present  limits. 

FIRST  SETTLEMENTS 

Of  this  township,  as  at  present  limited,  were  as  follows  : — Titus 
Gragg,  who  came  to  the  county  in  1820,  erected  a cabin  and  made 
some  improvements,  bordering  on  the  edge  of  the  timber,  a little 
south  of  the  present  site  of  Campbellsburg,  and  on  the  farm  subse- 
quently owned  by  John  L.  Cagle.  When  Samuel  Williams  emi- 
grated to  Sangamon  county  in  1821,  it  was  the  only  cabin  he  came 
across,  and  slept  in,  after  leaving  the  Wabash  river,  near  Terre 
Haute.  Titus  Gragg  was  a brother  of  “ Jake  ” Gragg,  mentioned 
in  the  South  Pork  township  history.  He  was  a blacksmith,  and  did 
smithing  for  the  early  settlers.  The  whole  of  this  family,  with  one 
exception,  David  B.  Gragg,  a grandson,  died  very  suddenly,  and  it 
is  thought  very  mysteriously.  They  all  lie  side-by-side  on  the  same 
farm,  with  no  stone  to  mark  the  spot.  Their  memory  was  perpetu- 
ated for  a time,  by  some  kind  friend  who  carved  their  names  in  the 
bark  of  an  overshadowing  forest  tree,  which  marked  the  spot  for 
years. 

Wm.  McCallister  was  a pioneer  settler  as  early  as  1824.  He  set- 
tled and  improved  the  James  Weeden  farm,  a mile  north-west  of 
Edinburg.  His  family  consisted  of  himself,  his  wife  and  two  sons. 
The  father,  mother,  and  one  of  the  sons  died  at  this  place.  The 
surviving  son  was  taken  and  kindly  cared  for  by  Shadrack  J. 
Campbell ; and  was  taken  afterward  by  an  uncle  to  Missouri,  and 
never  heard  from  since.  He  was  sole  heir  to  forty  acres  of  land, 
which  was  sold  for  taxes. 

John  and  Joseph  Brown  settled  in  1825.  They  entered  the  W. 
half  of  S.  W.  quarter  of  section  3,  town.  14—3  W.,  October  30th, 
1829,  and  sold  it  to  Esquire  Shad.  J.  Campbell,  March  30th,  1832, 
25 


for  $275.  Abner  and  Joseph  McLean  also  came  in  1825,  and 
settled  the  Blue  Point  farm,  now  owned  by  Daniel  De  Camp. 

Wm.  Bragg  settled  a little  below  Campbell’s  Point  in  1825. 

Wm.  George  and  John  George  settled  in  1827. 

Shadrack  J.  Campbell  and  Robert  Hazlett  came  in  1829. 

John  Warrick  settled  below  Campbell’s  Point,  and  was  known 
as  “ the  tall  man,”  and  a great  bee-hunter. 

In  1829,  David  Stokes  emigrated  from  Todd  county,  Kentucky, 
aud  settled  below  Campbell’s  Point,  erected  a cabin  and  improved 
a farm,  where  he  died  in  1844.  He  raised  a large  family.  Iverson 
Stokes,  his  son,  was  one  of  the  proprietors  of  Campbellsburg,  and 
is  familiarly  known  in  the  county.  The  cabin  of  old  father  Stokes 
was  used  for  many  years  by  the  Predestinarian  Baptists,  for  hold- 
ing their  meetings.  Elders  Kit  Stafford  and  Aaron  Vandeveer 
officiating. 

Besides  those  already  named,  John  L.  Cagle,  David  Cagle,  Wm. 
Harvey,  Alfred  Bishop  and  Henry  Blount,  were  here^efore  the 
deep  snow. 

It  is  related  by  Robert  Hazlett  that  during  the  winter  of  the 
deep  snow,  large  lots  of  water-melons,  stowed  away  in  corn  shocks 
by  the  boys  in  the  early  fall,  were  frozen  solid.  In  March  they 
were  taken  and  thawed  out  by  letting  them  down  in  the  well,  and 
they  2>roved  to  be  as  sweet  and  fresh  as  when  first  picked  from  the 
vines. 

Moses  Martin  improved  and  lived  on  the  old  Jesse  Hauon 
farm,  two  miles  south-west  of  Edinburg.  He  was  an  old  settler ; a 
widower  with  nine  children,  and  a blacksmith  by  trade.  He 
moved  to  Arkansas  in  1840.  James  Radford,  his  neighbor,  ivas 
another  pioneer,  and  lived  on  the  farm  now  occupied  by  George  W. 
Gawin. 

William  Beunefield  settled  near  Campbell’s  Point,  and  at  one 
time  owned  a distillery.  Afterward  he  moved  to  the  Blue  Point 
farm,  where  in  comj)any  with  J.  M.  Wilkinson,  he  raised  a crop  in 
1835.  The  winter  previous  he  built  a fiat-boat,  near  Darling’s 
mill,  on  the  North  Fork,  loaded  it  with  three  hundred  barrels  of 
fiour,  and  went  down  the  Sangamon  to  the  Mississippi  river,  and 
thence  to  New  Orleans,  where  he  sold  the  fiour  aud  realized  a fail- 
profit.  On  a second  trip  he  died  with  cholera. 

In  1834  James  Weeden  emigrated  from  Tena.,  settled  and 
improved  the  farm  now  owned  by  William  W.  Halford,  his  steji- 
son,  adjacent  to  Blueville.  James  Halford  came  to  the  county  at 
the  same  time  with  James  Weeden.  They  had  much  sickness,  and 
a singular  fatality  attended  these  two  fixmilies  during  the  first  year 
after  their  arrival. 

Both  fiimilies  were  domiciled  in  the  same  cabin.  James  Halford, 
a daughter  and  two  sons  died  of  the  same  fatal  malady,  commonly 
called  “milk  sickness.”  In  James  Weedeu’s  family,  his 
wife,  a son  and  a Miss  Mary  Ann  Hammond,  residing  with 
them,  all  died  within  the  space  of  one  week,  apparently  with 
the  same  disease.  It  is  said  that  five  of  them  lay  dead  on  the 
same  day. 

THE  FIRST  SCHOOL-HOUSE 

of  the  settlement  was  below  “ Campbell’s  Point,”  on  Joseph 
Matthews’  land. 

The  first  day-school  was  taught  by  Robert  White,  aud  was  a 
“ pay -school.” 

In  those  days  it  was  customary  for  school-teachers  to  “ board 
around  ” among  their  employers,  whether  as  a “ pay-school  ” or  so 
much  a month.  From  $8  to  $10  per  month,  or  $1.50  a scholar  per 
quarter,  was  “ reckoned  ” a fair  compensation. 

The  Rev.  J.  M.  Peck,  an  itinerant  Sunday  school  agent,  passing 
this  way  from  Shelbyville  to  Springfield  at  an  early  date,  says  in 


194 


HISTORY  OF  CHRISTIAN  COUNTY,  ILLINOIS. 


his  report : “ I organized  a Sunday-school  at  the  Black  Jack  school- 
house,  not  far  from  ‘ Campbell’s  Point,’  with  fifteen  scholars.” 
There  were  also  churches  organized  during  the  first  settlement,  the 
history  of  which  may  be  seen  in  the  ecclesiastical  chapter  of  this 
work.  Also  much  of  the  history  of  the  churches  and  schools  may 
be  found  in  the  towns,  written  below. 

INDIANS. 

During  the  early  settlements  of  Buckhart  there  were  many 
Indians  loitering  around  this  section  of  country,  which  was  then 
included  within  the  limits  of  Sangamon  county,  as  was  most  of 
Christian  at  that  time. 

They  were  at  times  very  troublesome  and  annoying.  Their  usual 
mode  of  fighting  the  pale-faces  was  in  the  free  use  of  sticks  and 
stones. 

The  chiefs  name  was  “ Bas-se-na,”  or  probably  Ma-she-na,  who 
it  is  alleged  signed  the  treaty  at  the  close  of  the  Black  Hawk  war, 
on  the  13th  of  February,  1833.  These  Indians  were  mostly  Kick- 
apoos.  They  were  usually  very  polite ; only  one  of  their  number 
spoke  at  a time. 

At  one  time  near  “ Campbell’s  Point”  a number  of  them  had 
some  difficulty  with  Jake  Gragg,  who  it  seems  got  the  better  of 
them.  They  fled  across  the  South  Fork  to  Escpiire  Miller’s,  implor- 
ing his  j)rotection,  as  “ Jake  was  after  them  with  a sack  full  of 
sticks.”  They  looked  upon  the  Escjuire  as  a kind  of  legal  pro- 
tector. 

“ Bas-se-na,”  the  chief,  and  some  of  his  tribe  had  a fight  with 
William  Wallis  east  of  Taylorville,  using  clubs  and  stones  pretty 
freely.  He  had  the  copper-colored  tribe  arrested  and  taken  before 
Esquire  Campbell.  They  were  fined  five  dollars  and  costs.  Bas- 
se-na  paid  the  fine  and  asked  for  a receipt,  whereupon  the  following 
collocjuy  ensued  : 

Escjuire — “ Indian,  you  don’t  w’ant  any  receipt ; it  is  entered  on 
my  docket  and  never  can  come  up  against  you  again.” 

Indian — “I  pays  you  the  money  ; will  you  give  me  a receipt?” 

Esquire — “ I tell  you  that  you  don’t  want  any,  for  it’s  settled  on 
the  docket.” 

Indian — “ White  man  say  Indian  steal,  Esquire  say  me  steal. 
I say  me  no  steal,  but  me  pay  um ; now  give  Indian  receipt?  ” 

Esquire — “ Since  you  insist  on  it,  if  you  will  give  me  a good  rea- 
son for  wanting  it,  I’ll  give  you  one.” 

Indian — “Well,  when  me  die  me  spec’  to  go  to  the  Great 
Spirit’s  home.  Werry  well,  when  me  gets  to  the  gate  Peter  says  : 
‘Go  away,  Indian,  you  steal.’  I say,  ‘ Werry  well,  what  if  I does, 
don’t  I pay  um?’  Peter  says,  ‘Show  um  receipt,’  and  if  I don’t 
have  um  I shall  be  forced  to  go  back  and  look  through  hell  to  find 
Esquire  Cam[)bell,  to  prove  Indian  pay  um.” 

The  fir.st  lands  entered  in  Buckhart  were  as  follows:  IMarch  10, 
1827,  Jacob  Cagle,  E.  half  of  N.  W.  (luartcr  section  10,  Tp.  14 — 3, 
80  acres;  v\ugu.st  21,  1827,  Leonard  Burch,  W.  half  of  K.  E. 
quarter  section  10,  Tp.  14 — 3,  80  acres;  in  T[).  14 — 2,  October  IG, 

1829,  Robert  Smith,  E.  half  of  S.  E.  ((uartcr  section  4,  80  acres; 
Nov.  9,  1829,  Pattenson  Heaton,  E.  half  of  S.  W.  (juartcr  section  4, 
80  acres,  and  W.  half  of  S.  Iv  (luarter  section  4,  80  acres;  Jan.  4, 

1830,  Josc])h  Denton,  E.  half  of  lot  2,  S.  W.  <niartcr  section  30, 
72.3t)  acres. 

The  following  is  a li.st  of  all  the  officers  since  town.shij)  organiza- 
tion ; 

Siijirri'lnor.'!-  .John  Sharp,  elected  18GG;  John  George,  1807;  re- 
elected 1808;  .lolm  Sharj),  18(i9;  .Io.seph  Kemmerer,  1870;  G.  K. 
,Shar[),  1871,  and  has  been  rc-elected  each  succeeding  year;  .lames 
Magee,  1880. 


Assmoj’s — Joseph  Kemmerer,  elected  1800;  G.  R.  Sharp,  1807; 
C.  I.  Lockwood,  1808;  G.  R.  Sharp,  1809;  J.  F.  Davis,  1870; 
Martin  Whitesell,  1871 ; J.  M.  Campbell,  1872  ; C.  I.  Lockwood, 
1873;  D.  C.  Carlin,  1874;  J.  M.  Campbell,  1875,  re-elected  1870 
and  ’77  ; L.  D.  Peek,  1878;  Win.  Wyscarver,  1879,  re-elected,  1880. 

Town  Clerks — Iverson  Stokes,  elected  1800;  J.  M.  Chandler, 
1807,  re-elected  1808  and  ’09;  J.  T.  Davis,  1870,  re-elected  1871; 
James  F.  Davis,  1872;  G.  W.  Greathard,  1873;  S.  R.  Burns,  1874, 
re-elected  1875  and  ’70;  J.  R.  Hill,  1877;  I.  N.  Martin,  1878;  C. 
A.  Prater,  1879,  and  re-elected  1880. 

Collectors — Hiram  Power,  elected  1800;  Hiram  Orr,  1807;  John 
E.  Prater,  1808;  B.  K.  Prater,  1809;  G.  R.  Sharp,  1870;  Jas.  M. 
Chandler,  1871,  re-elected  1872  and  ’73;  G.  W.  Greathard,  1874, 
re-elected  1875  and  ’70;  S.  R.  Burns,  1877;  G.  C.  Wilkinson,  1878, 
re-elected  1879;  S.  R.  Burns,  1880. 

Commissioners  of  Highways — A.  M.  Halford,  H.  H.  Sharp  and 
L.  Heinlein,  elected  1800;  E.  Pope,  1807;  Martin  Miller,  1808; 
W.  B.  Lillard,  1809  ; Israel  Baughman,  1870  ; Frank  George,  1871 ; 
H.  T.  Gardner,  1872;  I.  Baughman,  1873;  F.  George,  1874;  H.  T. 
Gardner,  1875;  I.  Baughman,  1870;  T.  B.  Hill,  1877;  H.  T. 
Gardner,  1878;  M.  Adrian,  1879;  Fred.  Reed,  1880. 

Justices  of  the  Peace — J.  E.  Hartsock,  W.  B.  Cobb,  elected  1800; 
J.  W.  Johnson,  J.  E.  Hartsock,  1870;  David  Williams,  E.  Heinlein, 
1873;  J.  Brubeck,  W.  T.  Baker,  1870;  J.  M.  Chandler,  Alex. 
Matthews,  1877. 

Constables — Wm.  Harris,  A.  J.  Odenwelder,  1800;  A.  W.  Hal- 
ford, L.  Heinlein,  1870;  J.  T.  Chandler,  C.  Heinlein,  1873;  M^ 
Nester,  M.  Huxley,  1870;  Peter  Scheib,  J.  D.  Hurt,  1877 ; Eli 
Matthews,  1878. 

robin.son’s  point. 

This  was  a small  hamlet,  located  at  the  head  of  the  timber,  six 
miles  north  of  Taylorville,  and  two  miles  east  of  Sharpsburg.  In 
early  years  it  was  noted  on  the  maps  as  “Bethany.”  It  had  a post- 
office  by  that  name,  and  David  Robinson,  who  gave  it  the  name  of 
Robinson’s  Point,  was  post-master.  The  great  Eastern  stage  passed 
daily  hy  it,  on  the  public  highway  from  Shelbyville  to  Springfield. 
Mr.  Robinson  kept  a store,  and  sold  goods  in  this  place  for  over  two 
years  in  1835-0-7.  It  is  supposed  to  have  been  the  first  store  in  the 
county.  It  is  said  IMr.  Robinson  was  too  ambitious  to  become  rich, 
and  speculated  largely  in  stock,  and  failed,  involving  some  of  his 
securities. 

The  store-house  stood  for  many  years  near  the  residence  of  the 
late  John  Langdon,  but  it  has  since  been  moved,  and  now  forms  a 
part  of  the  residence  of  J.  IM.  Redfern,  the  present  owner  of  the 
land,  on  which  was  located  the  town  of  Bethany,  more  popularly 
known  as  “ Robinson’s  Point.” 

BLUE  POINT 

Was  one  of  the  old  “land  marks”  of  the  county,  and  was  familiarly 
known  to  the  traveling  public,  half  a century  ago.  It  was  one  of 
Allen  A Co.’s  prominent  Eastern  stage  stands.  The  old  Traveller’s 
Inn,  with  its  porch  in  front,  now  the  residence  of  Daniel  Dc  (’amp, 
was  built  by  Robert  Allen,  of  Springfield,  in  1838.  The  land  on 
which  this  house  was  built,  and  Edinburg  located,  was  entered  by 
Abner  and  .loscph  McLean  in  1829,  and  by  them  conveyed  to 
Archibald  and  Robert  Sattley,  Jan.  7,  1832,  and  they  to  others. 
In  the  chain  of  title,  Abraham  Lincoln  wius  owner  of  it  at  one  time, 
Robert  Allen  succeeded  to  the  ownership  of  the  land  in  Aug.  1837. 
Abner  ami  Jose|)h  iMcIvcan  “squatted”  on  the  land,  and  made 
some  improvements  in  1825.  A “.squatter’s  title”  was  as  much  re- 
spected in  tho.se  days,  as  a land-office  certificate  is  to-day. 

Blue  Point  .stage  stand  was  twenty  miles  distant  from  Springfield. 


HISTORY  OF  CHRISTIAN  COUNTY,  ILLINOIS. 


195 


A public  house  was  opened  as  early  as  1830.  As  was  the  custom, 
this  house  had  a well-furnished  side-board.  The  laws  of  1833 
required  that  those  who  kept  a j^ublic  house  and  bar,  should  take 
out  license  to  sell  spirituous  liquors  ; that  they  should  give  bond  to 
the  county  commissioners’  court,  that  they  would  provide  to  keep 
lodging,  diet  and  provender  sufficient  for  the  accommodation  of  four 
persons  and  their  horses  ; that  if  they  gave  credit  for  an  amount 
exceeding  fifty  cents,  for  liquor,  they  .should  be  debarred  from  re- 
covering the  excess  by  law  ; nor  should  they  charge  a traveler  more 
than  twelve  and  a half  cents  a pint  for  whisky;  or  eighteen  and 
three-fourths  cents  for  a pint  of  brandy.  The  customary  charge 
for  meals  to  those  traveling  in  the  stage  was  twenty-five  cents ; the 
way-traveler  twelve  and  a half  cents  a meal.  Supper,  lodging, 
breakfast  and  keeping  horse,  fifty  cents. 

There  was  a post-office  established  here  as  early  as  1839.  The 
first  store  was  opened  by  Dr.  S.  J.  Jerald. 

ni.UKVILLE. 

This  town  sprang  up  about  half  a mile  north  of  the  Blue  Point 
stage  stand.  At  one  time  considerable  business  was  done  at  this 
point,  and  several  houses  were  erected.  There  being  a demand  for 
lots,  it  was  surveyed  by  Richard  M.  Powel,  county  surveyor,  for 
Win.  W.  Halford,  June  1,  1870.  It  was  laid  out  near  the  centre 
of  Section  14,  T.  14 — 3.  The  streets  were  from  50  to  60  feet  in 

width,  and  named  Douglas,  Logan,  etc.  Lick  Creek  branch  runs 
through  a 2^ortion  of  the  town.  The  first  store  was  opened  by  W. 

T.  Houston.  Edgar  Chapman  opened  the  first  drug  store  in  A^iril, 
1868,  in  the  west  end  of  the  ]Jace. 

A correspondent  of  the  Flag,  of  August  26,  1867,  says: — “ This 
place  is  the  centre  of  a considerable  country  trade,  one  little  store 
in  it  having  sold  over  $11,000  worth  of  goods  within  a year.  There 
are  now  two  stores,  owned  separately  by  Houston  and  Carlin. 
There  is  a blacksmith  shop  and  jilow  manufactory,  both  of  which 
are  under  the  care  of  Cook  & Cobb.” 

The  Methodist  Episcopal  Chaj)el,  which  was  erected  in  1866,  in 
the  extreme  west  end  of  the  town,  w'as  removed  to  Edinburg  in 
1875.  J.  H.  Hatfield  was  the  first  preacher.  The  town  also  con- 
tained a neat  two  story  brick  school-house.  The  first  teachers 
were : W.  C.  Shivers,  principal,  and  Miss  M.  Greenwood,  assistant. 

The  first  physician  was  H.  T.  Moore. 

The  first  Board  of  Trustees  were : W.  W.  Halford,  president ; 

W.  Harrold,  clerk ; J.  W.  Houston,  Isaac  Hart,  S.  W.  Denny, 
and  R.  H.  Weeden.  Police  Magistrate. — John  L.  Culver.  Con- 
stable.— A.  W.  Halford. 

EDINBURG. 

This  is  the  most  thriving  town  between  Taylorville  and  Spring- 
field.  It  is  located  on  the  south-east  corner  of  Section  14,  T.  14 — 3, 
and  was  surveyed  March  26,  1870,  by  John  McGuire,  for  Daniel 
De  Camp,  on  the  old  Blue  Point  site.  It  is  beautifully  situated  in  ( 
the  edge  of  the  timber,  on  high  rolling  land.  Its  streets  are  from 
70  to  100  feet  wide,  and  are  named  Washington  Avenue,  Lincoln, 
Douglas,  etc.  A small  stream  called  Lick  creek,  passes  through 
the  centre. 

Blueville,  being  the  oldest  place,  a rivalry  naturally  sprang  up  ' 
between  them,  but  was  eventually  settled  by  merging  the  two  into 
one  under  the  name — Edinburg.  This  was  accomplished  by  a meet- 
ing of  the  two  Boards  of  Trustees  August  8,  1874,  at  which  time 
they  voted  unanimously  for  the  consolidation,  and  the  two  towns 
have  since  been  under  one  corporation.  j 

The  intervening  space  is  being  filled  up  with  improvements,  and  | 
in  a few  years  it  will  have  the  appearance  of  but  one  town. 

The  land  on  which  Edinburg  is  located  was  entered  in  1829. 


After  several  transfers,  as  mentioned  elsewhere,  it  was  jmrchased  by 
Daniel  De  Camp,  in  February,  1851. 

The  town  is  ten  miles  distant  from  Taylorville,  and  twenty  from 
Springfield. 

During  the  first  year  of  its  existence  (1870),  the  town  made  quite 
a vigorous  growth.  Several  very  neat  residences  and  business 
houses  were  erected,  and  the  trade  opened  with  flattering  prospects. 

The  first  house  was  built  by  Daniel  De  Camji  in  the  spring  of 
1870.  Mumford  Pool  erected  and  opened  the  first  store,  about  the 
same  time. 

Mr.  De  Camp  also  erected  a hotel,  and  the  first  blacksmith  sliop, 
and  had  them  occupied  during  the  sjiring  of  1870. 

The  first  grain  warehouse  and  elevator  was  built  by  G.  H. 
Peebles,  in  the  summer  of  1871. 

The  first  physician  located  here  was  Gusham  Little,  M.  D.,  in  the 
year  1870.  The  post-office  was  established  in  1871,  and  Daniel 
De  Camp  was  the  first  post-master,  and  has  continued  to  hold  the 
office  ever  since.  Joseph  Gegan  taught  the  first  school  in  1870. 
The  first  and  only  school-house  built  in  the  original  jiart  of  Edin- 
burg was  in  1863,  by  the  district,  and  is  now  used  by  the  Edinburg 
schools.  There  is  also  a two-story  brick  school-house  in  the  Blue- 
ville division. 

The  Methodist  church,  first  erected  west  of  Blueville,  in  1866, 
was  moved  to  Edinburg  in  1875,  repainted  and  otherwise  imjiroved. 
On  the  16th  of  February,  1876,  the  first  bell  in  the  town  was  placed 
in  the  belfry  and  rang  out  its  peals  on  the  following  Sunday. 

The  Christian  church  was  built  in  1872,  at  a cost  of  $3,000.  It 
is  a frame  structure  30x60  feet,  and  neatly  finished.  The  building 
was  somewhat  damaged  by  a tornado,  which  swept  through  the 
town  in  1875. 

The  town  was  incorjiorated  under  the  general  village  lawq  in 
1873,  and  the  following  were  the  first  Board  of  Trustees : Daniel 
De  Cam}),  President;  I.  N.  Martin,  James  M.  Campbell,  A.  D.  F. 
Kemmerer,  Henry  Wilhte,  G.  H.  Peebles,  E.  R.  White,  Clerk;  Wm. 
Wyscarver,  Treasurer ;J.  W.  Johmson,  Po^tce  Magistrate;  C.  M. 
De  Camp,  Police  Constable. 

The  present  Board  of  Trustees  are : J.  C.  Robinson,  President ; 
Geo.  P.  Herrington,  L.  C.  Carlin,  W.  W.  Halford,  J.  B.  Eaton,  J. 
L.  Lindsey,  I.  S.  Goldman,  Clerk;  C.  L.  Carroll,  Treasurer ; J.  W. 
Johnson,  Police  Magistrate ; T.  B.  Hill,  Police  Constable. 

Blueville  Lodge,  No.  647,  A.  F.  and  A.  M.,  was  chartered  in 
1870.  Number  of  charter  members  thirteen. 

First  Officers — P.  E.  Williams,  W.  M. ; L.  C.  Carlin,  S.  W. ; I. 
Stokes,  J.  W. ; G.  H.  Peebles,  S.  D. ; J.  L.  Culver,  J.  D. ; C.  G. 
Houston,  Treas. ; W.  T.  Houston,  Sec. ; G.  Ralston,  Tyler. 

Present  Officers. — S.  L.  Reefey,  W.  (M. ; L.  C.  Carlin,  S.  W. ; E. 
R.  White,  J.  W. ; H.  T.  Gardner,  Treas. ; Wm.  Wyscarver,  Sec. ; 
I.  Stokes,  S.  D.  ; G.  W.  Wolaver,  J.  D. ; M.  P.  Trame,  Tyler. 
Total  membership  thirty-seven. 

Below  is  a list  of  the  })resent  business  houses  of  the  town  ; 
Physicians — C.  L.  Carroll,  Basil  Greenwood,  J.  M.  Alden. 
Attorney-at-Law — W.  T.  Houston. 

General  Stores — Alex.  Dixson,  J.  N.  Cantrill,  J.  W.  Stuver  & 
Co. 

Grocery  Stores — IMason,  Peek  & Son,  Buckner  Black. 

Drugs,  Notions  and  Grain  Merchants — Brownback  Brothers. 
Drugs  and  Notiom — Geo.  W.  Milligan. 

Hardware,  Furniture  and  Undertaking — Magee  and  Carlin. 

Bank — Geo.  P.  Herrington. 

Grain  and  Lumber  Dealers — Price  and  Wilkinson. 

Grain  Dealer — J.  B.  Eaton. 

Livery  and  Agricultural  Implements — George  C.  Wilkinson. 


196 


HISTORY  OF  CHRISTIAN  COUNTY,  ILLINOIS. 


Restaurant  and  Boarding  House — John  H.  Richardson. 
Restaurants — Henry  Henkes,  Thomas  Bell. 

Tin  Shop — J.  M.  Ketterer. 

Boot  and  Shoe  Shops — Wni.  Harrold,  Jesse  Williams. 

.Jewelers  and  Photographers — Goldman  and  Graham. 

Harness  Shop — A.  Longatha. 

Millinery  and  Dress  Making — Mrs.  Nellie  Wyscarver,  Miss  J. 
Patterson,  Mrs.  INI.  McGuffin. 

Blacksmith  Shops — John  L.  Lindsey,  Jonathan  W.  Cook,  Wm. 
Dix 

Wagon  Maker — John  D.  Pierce. 

Blacksmith  and  Wagon  Maker — John  M.  Adams. 

Cooper — .Silas  Matthews. 

Carpenters — R.  K.  Johnson,  Stephen  Hnnsley,  Joseph  Patterson, 
John  Westbrooks,  Stephen  Williams,  I.  N.  Martin. 

Brick  JJaker — John  Robinson. 

Brick  Mason  —M..  Whitenack. 

House,  Sign  and  Ornamental  Painter — Ronin  & Staples. 

Butcher  Shops — .John  Y.  Easley,  George  Ohlenschlager. 

Barber  Shops — Wm.  Hayes,  Charles  Lawrence. 

Sewing  Machine  Agents  - Charles  Lawrence,  .1.  H.  Love  & Bro. 
The  [)opulation  of  the  town  is  upward  of  seven  hundred. 

SUAIIPSBUKG 

is  a small  village  situated  in  section  31  of  town.  14-2,  and  is  about 
five  miles  distant  from  Taylorville.  It  was  surveyed  or  laid  off' 
into  blocks  by  R.  31.  Powel,  3Iarch  21st,  1870,  for  William  Har- 
gis, the  original  j)roprietor.  The  streets  are  fifty  feet  wide,  and 
named  Chestnut,  Hedge,  etc.  It  contains  about  one  hundred  and 
fifty  inhabitants. 


The  first  house  was  erected  by  A.  D.  Ebert  in  1870.  G.  R. 
Sharp  and  E.  A.  Hanoi),  built  and  opened  the  first  store  in  1870. 
The  first  blacksmith  shop  was  built  by  Joseph  Hahon,  and  occu- 
pied by  him  in  1870.  The  post-office  was  established  in  1871,  and 
G-  R.  Sharp  was  first  post- master.  The  first  church  erected  was  by 
the  Methodist  denomination,  in  1875.  It  is  a frame  building,. 
36x50  feet  in  size  Price  and  Wilkinson  erected  an  elevator  here 
in  the  fall  of  1877. 

The  present  business  in  the  village  is  as  follows  : 

W.  D.  Waller,  Dry  Goods  and  Groceries;  J.  B.  Fenner,  General 
Merchandize,  Drugs,  and  Post-master;  John  H.  Hargis,  Blacksmith ; 
John  E.  Mason,  Carpenter  and  Wagon  Maker;  F.  A.  McNeill,  Phy~ 
sician  and  Surgeon;  Price  and  Wilkinson,  and  O.  S.  Nash,  Grain 
Dealers.  The  town  w'as  named  in  honor  of  H.  H.  Sharp  & 
Brother. 

CAMPBELLSBURG. 

This  was  a station  on  the  O.  & M.  R.  R , sixteen  miles  from 
Springfield,  and  eleven  from  Taylorville.  It  is  located  in  the  north- 
east corner  of  section  ten.  It  was  surveyed  and  laid  off'  in  town 
lots  May  27th,  1870,  by  R.  M.  Powel  for  Jno.  Rodham,  Iverson 
Stokes  and  Joseph  Throwds.  It  adjoins  the  Campbell  farm,  and 
was  named  in  honor  of  the  old  pioneer  family. 

The  first  house  was  erected  by  James  R.  Stokes  in  1870,  and  a 
store-house  was  built  and  opened  the  same  year  by  Allen  Stokes.. 
James  R.  Stokes  built  a shop  and  did  blacksmithing  in  1870. 
There  was  also  a depot  and  freight-house  built  in  1870,  but  it  was 
taken  down  and  removed  by  the  company  in  1877,  since  which 
time  the  station  has  been  discontinued,  and  at  present  there  is  no 
business  done  in  the  place. 


BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES 


WILLIAM  W.  HALFORD. 

Among  the  old  citizens  of  Christian  county  that  lived  wdthin  its 
boundaries  prior  to  the  organization  may  be  mentioned  the  name 
tliat  heads  this  sketch.  He  was  born  in  Wayne  county,  Tenne.ssee, 
November  22d,  1823,  and  was  the  son  of  .lames  and  Elizabeth 
Halford.  .lames  Halford  was  a native  of  South  Carolina,  where  he 
married  Klizabcth  Hammonds;  he  then  emigrated  to  Tennessee, 
where  he  lived  a number  of  years.  He  had  eight  children  born  to 
him  in  that  state,  and  in  1834  he  emigrated  with  his  family  to 
Illinois,  and  in  the  spring  of  1834  settled  at  Blue  I’oint.  He  com- 
menced the  im[)rovi'mcnt  of  a farm,  but  died  the  following  fall, 
aged  about  I'orty-five  years.  His  wife,  who  survived  him  many 
year.-i,  afterwards  married  a man  by  the  name  of  Weeden.  .Mr. 
Halford  was  about  eleven  years  of  age  when  his  father  emigrated 
to  this  state.  ,\fter  his  father’s  death  he  a.-^sisted  his  mother  on  the 
farm,  atui  after  her  marriage  he  lived  with  his  stepfather  until  he 
was  nineteen.  His  advantages  I'or  :in  education  wei'c  very  limited. 
At  the  age  of  nineteen  he  began  the  battle  of  life  for  himself  His 
life  occupation  has  |uincipally  been  that  of  a farmer.  For  a time 
he  was  in  the  grocery  business,  ainl  was  infercste<l  in  the  lumber 


business  for  about  two  years  in  Blueville.  He  has  been  three  times 
married,  and  raised  a family  of  six  children,  viz : ]\Iary  Jane,  now 
the  wife  of  Dr.  J.  Peebles,  living  in  Kansas;  William  S.,  married, 
and  living  in  Edinburg;  Benjamin  E.,  also  living  in  Edinburg; 
Canzadia  31.,  the  wife  of  James  Roman,  also  in  Edinburg;  .\nn 
E.,  and  Harry,  living  at  home.  3Ir.  Halford,  in  1872,  built  a fine 
residence  near  the  site  where  his  father  built  a cabin  in  1834.  He 
has  lived  to  see  a great  change  in  Christian  county  ; he  has  watched 
its  dcvclo])mcnt  from  a wilderness  thinly  settled  to  a wealthy 
and  ju’osjH'rous  county.  When  he  was  a boy,  and  even  after  he 
was  grown  up,  St.  Louis  was  their  market.  He  has  hauled  wheat 
to  St.  Louis  and  sold  it  for  forty  cents  per  bushel,  and  bacon  for 
thre(!  cents  per  pound,  and  paid  live  dollars  per  barrel  for  salt. 
He  has  a fine  farm  of  four  hundred  acres,  lying  adjoining  the  cor- 
porate limits  of  Ldinhurg.  M hen  he  started  out  in  life  he  was 
unaided,  and  what  he  has  ot  this  world  s goods  he  has  gained  by 
industry  and  Irugality.  In  politics  he  was  originally  a democrat, 
but  now  votes  I'or  the  best  men  regardless  of  politics.  Such  is 
a brief  sketch  of  one  of  Christian  county’s  oldest  citizens. 


T>«  UbfMy 

of  tho 


Residence  and  Stock  Farm  of  JOHN  \A/El SER,  Sec. 33,  T.I4-,  R.2.  (BucnnARr  TpJ  Christian  Co.  III. 


HISTORY  OF  CHRISTIAN  COUNTY,  ILLINOIS. 


197 


A CONSIDERABLE  part  of  the  development  and  growth  of  Illinois 
is  due  to  her  citizens  of  German  birth,  who  are  everywhere  known 
for  their  industry  and  all  the  good  qualities  which  go  to  make  up 
peaceable  and  law-abiding  members  of  the  community.  Among 
this  class  of  citizens  in  Buckhart  township  is  John  Weiser,  who  has 
been  engaged  in  farming  in  that  part  of  the  country  since  1869. 

He  was  born  at  Olshei,  in  Hesse  Darmstadt,  Germany,  on  the 
1st  of  December,  1828.  His  parents  were  Philip  and  Mary  Weiser. 
His  father  was  a well-to-do  farmer  and  land  owner  in  the  old  coun- 
try, but  becoming  dissatisfied  with  the  monarchical  spirit  of  the  Ger- 
man government,  he  determined  to  emigrate  to  America  and  enjoy 
the  freedom  and  equal  advantages  of  republican  institutions.  He 
landed  in  New  York  in  the  fall  of  1888.  His  family  then  consisted 
of  a wife  and  seven  children.  After  living  two  years  in  Pennsylva- 
nia, Mr.  Weiser’s  father  concluded  that  he  could  better  his  condi- 
tion by  moving  to  Illinois.  Accordingly,  in  1841,  the  family  came 
to  this  state  and  settled  in  Cass  county,  about  five  miles  south-east 
of  Beardstown,  then  the  county  seat,  on  unimproved  land  which 
was  entered  at  the  government  price.  Their  farming  operations 
proved  successful,  and  tract  after  tract  was  added  to  their  original 
entry,  until  the  farm  comprised  between  six  and  seven  hundred 
acres  under  good  cultivation  and  with  substantial  buildings.  Mr. 
Weiser’s  father  lived  on  this  place  till  his  death,  which  occurred  on 
the  first  day  of  August,  1853.  His  mother  still  survives,  and  has 
her  home  with  her  son,  the  subject  of  this  biography,  and  though 
seventy-eight  years  old,  is  in  the  enjoyment  of  a hale  and  vigorous 
old  age. 

Mr.  Weiser  was  about  eight  years  of  age  when  the  family  came 
to  this  country,  and  in  his  thirteenth  year  when  they  removed  to 
Illinois.  He  remained  at  home  assisting  on  the  fiirrn  until  he  was 
twenty-four,  and  then  married  Miss  Annie  D.  Musch,  also  a native 


of  Germany.  He  has  three  children  living : Louis  P.,  Caroline  C. 
and  Otto  N.,  all  of  whom  are  now  living  at  home. 

On  the  breaking  out  of  the  war  of  the  Rebellion  in  1861,  Mr. 
Weiser  was  one  of  those  patriotic  men  who  stepped  forward  to  save 
their  country  from  destruction.  He  enlisted  in  company  A.,  27th 
Illinois  Infiintry.  His  company  was  commanded  by  Captain  Smith, 
and  the  regiment  by  Colonel  Buford.  His  regiment  did  its  full 
share  in  sustaining  the  credit  of  the  Illinois  soldiers  for  hardihood 
and  bravery,  and  took  part  in  many  a hard-fought  battle.  Mr. 
Weiser  was  in  the  battle  of  Belmont,  the  first  engagement  under 
Gen.  Grant,  Union  City,  Island  No.  10,  the  siege  of  Corinth, 
Stone  River,  Lavergne,  Chickamauga,  Mission  Ridge,  Rocky  Face, 
Resaca,  Dallas,  Mud  (’reek,  and  Kenesaw  Mountain.  In  the  battle 
of  Kenesaw'  Mountain,  he  received  a wound.  He  was  discharged 
at  Springfield  on  the  20th  of  December,  1864. 

Returning  to  Cass  county  he  resumed  farming.  He  lived  in  that 
county  till  1869,  when  he  purchased  the  farm  on  wdiich  he  now 
lives  in  Buckhart  township,  Christian  county.  He  is  known 
as  one  of  the  enterprising  farmers  and  progressive  citizens  of  Buck- 
hart township,  and  a full  page  illustration  of  his  farm  is  found  on 
another  page  of  this  work.  This  farm  embraces  345  acres  of  excel- 
lent farming  land,  and  has  substantial  buildings  and  improvements. 
He  has  been  content  to  lead  the  unobtrusive  life  of  a peaceful 
farmer,  and  has  no  aspiration  to  hold  public  station,  or  to  mix  con- 
spicuously in  public  afiairs.  Although  ready  to  discharge  every 
obligation  resting  on  a good  citizen,  his  time  has  been  occupied  with 
his  farm,  where  he  has  found  full  scope  for  his  energy  and  industry. 

In  })olitics,  he  is  a member  of  the  republican  party.  He  has  ac- 
quired an  excellent  reputation  as  a man  of  honesty  and  integrity, 
and  is  one  of  that  class  of  citizens  who  do  most  toward  developing 
the  resources  and  promoting  the  prosperity  of  a country. 


198 


HISTORY  OF  CHRISTIAN  COUNTY,  ILLINOIS. 


Capt.  DAXIEL  DE  camp 

Was  born  in  Giles  county,  Virginia,  August  31,  1824.  He  was 
the  sou  of  David  and  Sarah  De  Camp  David  De  Camp  was  a 
native  of  Virginia.  His  father,  Zachariah  De  Camp,  was  a native 
of  X"ew  York.  His  father  and  great-grandfather  of  Daniel  De 
Camp  was  a native  of  France,  and  emigrated  to  America  long  prior 
to  the  Revolutionary  war,  and  was  one  of  the  first  settlers  in  Xew- 
ark.  New  Jersey.  He  was  an  enterprising  business  man,  of  good 
education,  and  accumulated  quite  a fortune.  Before  his  death  he 
made  a will  bequeathing  his  entire  possessions  to  his  two  sons, 
Zachariah  and  brother.  The  realization  of  this  estate  was  funded, 
and  has  not  since  been  reclaimed.  Zachariah  De  Camp  raised  a 
family  of  eight  children,  of  whom  David  De  Camp,  father  of  the  sub- 
ject of  our  sketch,  was  the  eldest  son.  He  was  born  in  tbe  year  1792. 

Zachariah  De  Camp,  when  a boy,  was  placed  as  an  apprentice  to 
learn  tbe  hatter  trade,  in  Elizabethtown,  New  Jersey.  When  he 
grew  to  manhood  he  went  to  Virginia,  and  subsequently  went  to 
Salisbury,  North  Carolina,  where  he  afterward  married  Miss  Eliza- 
beth Kinder.  He  then  returned  to  Virginia  and  settled  in  Monroe 
county,  where  he  lived  until  his  death.  He  raised  a family  of  eight 
children,  four  boys  and  an  equal  number  of  girls,  viz  : David,  Hen- 
ry, John,  De  Porter,  Mary,  Sarah,  Maria,  and  Elizabeth.  John 
De  Camp,  now  living  in  Springfield,  is  the  only  surviving  member 
of  the  family.  Zachariah  De  Camp’s  father  left  his  estate  in  the 
hands  of  some  institution  in  Newark,  N.  J.,  to  be  turned  over  to 
Zachariah  and  his  brother  when  they  became  of  age.  Whether  his 
brother  ever  drew  his  portion  of  the  estate  or  not  is  not  known,  but 
Zachariah  never  received  a dollar.  He  proved  his  identity,  but 
before  he  drew  his  ])ortiou  he  was  taken  sick  and  died.  Daniel 
De  Camp  is  now  making  efforts,  in  connection  with  his  uncle  John, 
in  Springfield,  to  recover  this  property  that  is  justly  due  the  heirs 
of  Zachariah  De  Camj).  David  De  Camp  was  a soldier  in  the  war 
of  1812.  He  went  as  a substitute  for  Joel  Canterbury,  who  was 
drafted.  After  the  clo.se  of  the  war,  he  returned  and  claimed  the 
hand  in  marriage  of  Miss  Sarah  Ford,  the  only  daughter  of  Louis  i 
Ford.  They  raised  a family  of  eight  children — six  boys  and  two  ! 
girls,  of  whom  Daniel  DeCanip  was  the  fourth.  He  attended  school  ! 
very  little  during  his  minority,  and  what  education  he  received  he 
attained  after  he  grew  to  manhood  by  his  own  exertions.  At  the 
age  of  eighteen  he  began  to  tire  of  the  hills  of  Virginia,  and  desirous 
to  better  his  condition  in  life,  he  turned  his  face  westward 
in  the  fall  of  1842.  He  arrived  in  Springfield,  December  of  the 
same  year.  For  a time  he  was  engaged  in  teaming  and  driving  ' 
stage.  In  1845,  he  went  to  Galena,  Illinois,  where  he  took  charge  ; 
of  part  of  the  stage  line  running  between  Galena  and  Milwaukee. 

He  bad  charge  of  the  West  End,  between  Galena  and  Madison, 
Wis.  In  the  s[)ring  of  1847  he  returned  to  Springfield,  and  the 
fall  following  married  Miss  Pernecy  Langley,  a resident  of  Chris- 
tian county  and  daughter  of  Je.sse  and  Sarah  Langley.  After  his 
marriage,  he  opened  a livery  stable  in  Springfield,  this  being  in 
1848,  a business  he  followed  until  1852.  In  1851  he  bought  a farm 
in  Chri.stian  county,  where  he  now  live.s.  He  subsequently  sold  out 
his  livery  intere.sts  in  Springfield,  and  dcvot(;d  his  entire  attention 
to  his  farm  until  1802.  He  rai.se<l  a company  and  went  into  the 
late  war,  he  being  the  captain  of  company  D,  130th  Ills.  \'ols., 
under  Col.  Niles.  He  W!us  in  the  tenth  division,  13th  army  corps, 
nml  was  in  thirteen  hard-fought  battles,  among  which  were  Magno- 
lia Hill,  Raymond,  Chamj)ion  Hill,  Black  Biver,  Siege  of  Vicks- 
burg, and  battle  of  Mansfield,  Louisiana,  where  he  lost  two-thirds 
of  his  company,  among  killed,  wounded  and  taken  |)ri.soners.  After 
that  battle  the  regiment  could  not  muster  one  hundred  men,  and 
the  captain  was  placed  in  command  over  the  remnants  of  four  regi- 


ments that  had  participated  in  the  engagement ; the  total  amount 
of  men  were  about  four  bundred.  He  returned  to  Alexander,  on 
Red  river,  where  the  forces  built  a dam  and  fioated  the  gunboats, 
seven  in  number,  and  transports  over  tbe  falls  at  Alexander.  Soon 
after  this,  he  received  a sun-stroke,  which  disabled  him  for  military 
service,  and  was  forced  to  resign,  this  being  in  tbe  summer  of  1864. 
He  went  to  the  hospital  at  New  Orleans,  where  he  remained  about 
two  weeks,  and  then  returned  to  Baton  Rouge,  Mississippi,  and  from 
there  home.  He  was  in  the  service  just  two  years  In  1870,  he 
laid  out  the  town  of  Edinburg,  the  railroad  being  built  through 
his  farm ; and  since  the  war  he  has  devoted  his  time  to  farming, 
trading  and  handling  horses,  in  which  time  he  has  fitted  and  started 
some  very  speedy  ones.  He  now  has  some  very  promising  colts, 
that  he  is  just  putting  on  the  track.  He  has  a half-mile  track  on 
his  farm,  with  good  barn  and  every  convenience  for  handling  first 
horses. 

In  politics,  he  is  a republican.  He  held  the  office  of  justice  of 
the  peace  for  eight  years.  When  Edinburg  post-office  was  estab- 
lished, in  1870,  he  was  appointed  post-master,  a position  he  has  held 
to  the  present  time.  In  social  life,  the  captain  is  one  of  the 
most  genial  of  men,  his  society  ever  pleasant  and  agreeable.  As  a 
citizen,  he  is  liberal,  enterprising,  and  public-spirited,  and  has  ever 
taken  an  active  part  in  all  matters  calculated  to  advance  the  ma- 
terial interests  of  his  town  and  county. 

E.  S.  HURLBUTT, 

One  of  the  prominent  agriculturalists  of  Buckhart  township,  was 
born  April  9tb,  1821,  in  Odletown,  Lower  Province,  Canada. 
His  father,  Elijah  Hurlbutt,  was  a native  of  Connecticut,  and  of 
English  ancestry.  His  mother,  who  was  a Miss  Patience  Carpenter, 
was  a native  of  Rhode  Island,  and  of  English  ancestry.  Both 
families  settled  in  America  at  an  early  day.  Mr.  Hurlbutt’s 
parents  were  married  in  Connecticut,  where  they  had  ten  children 
born  to  them,  and  afterwards  emigrated  to  Canada,  where  they 
had  two  children  born  to  them,  viz. : Sarah  and  the  subject  of  our 
sketch.  Mr.  Hurlbutt  was  about  six  years  of  age  when  his  father 
emigrated  to  Ohio,  and  settled  in  IMedina  county,  where  he  im- 
proved a farm  and  lived  until  1857.  They  then  emigrated  to  Illi- 
nois and  settled  in  Woodford  county,  where  his  father  and  mother 
died.  IMr.  Hurlbutt  was  married  in  Medina  county,  Ohio,  in  1843, 
to  Miss  Mary  Ann  Iloughlan,  a native  of  Ohio.  He  followed 
fanning  while  in  Ohio,  and  in  1857  moved  to  Illinois  and  settled 
where  he  now  lives.  His  first  purchase  was  eighty  acres  of  raw 
prairie;  he  built  a small  house  and  assiduously  applied  himself  to 
the  improvement  of  his  farm.  His  farm  now  consists  of  three 
hundred  and  fifty-nine  acres  of  well  improved  land  with  good  build- 
ings, a view  of  which  can  be  seen  in  anotber  part  of  this  work. 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Hurlbutt  have  acquired  this  pleasant  home  by  in- 
dustrv  and  economy.  They  have  had  a family  of  nine  children 
born  to  them,  five  now  living,  viz. : Sarah  F.,  now  the  wife  of  John 
4’.  Fowkes,  living  on  part  of  the  old  homestead;  C.  A.,  married 
and  living  also  on  part  of  the  place;  Edwin  F.,  married  and  living 
also  near  by  ; Louis  G.  and  Arthur  kk  now  at  home.  l\Ir.  Hurl- 
butt, in  politics,  is  a republican  ; his  .sons  that  have  grown  up  also 
vote  that  ticket.  He  never  has  taken  an  active  part  in  politics,  desir- 
ing rather  to  devote  his  entire  time  to  the  farm.  He  has  made 
wheat  growing  a specialty,  and  has  never  failed  to  raise  a fair  crop 
but  once  in  twenty-two  years  since  he  has  been  in  Illinois.  His 
farm  is  entirely  fenectl  with  hedge,  the  most  beautiful  of  all  fences. 
He  has  tipwards  of  four  miles  of  hedge  on  his  j>lace  all  in  good 
condition.  He  is  known  as  an  enterprising  and  successful  farmer, 
and  a man  highly  esteemed  by  all. 


K^r-wti 


Residence  of  D.DE  CAMP,  Edinburg 


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^ccreo  iBSo 


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Ban)^  and  Residence:  of  6 EO.  R HARR!  NGTON,  Edinburg  , III. 


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UwtwrtKy  of  IWmIi. 


HISIORY  OF  CHRISTIAN  COUNTY,  ILLINOIS. 


199 


Of  the  many  prominent  farmers  who  are  mentioned  in  this  work, 
none  deserves  a more  conspicuous  place  than  he  whose  name  heads 
this  sketch.  He  is  a lineal  descendant  of  that  noble  and  hardy  band 
of  pilgrims,  who  left  their  nativ^e  land  on  account  of  religious  per- 
secution, and  embarked  in  the  May  Flower  and  came  across  the 
briny  deep  to  America,  and  sought  an  asylum  on  the  bleak  and 
rocky  shores  of  the  New  England  coa.st.  It  was  this  little  band  of 
pure  men  and  noble  women,  who  planted  deeply  and  permanently  the 
seeds  of  religious  and  political  liberty,  and  first  made  patent  the 
fact  that  man  had  the  right  to  worship  God  according  to  the  dictates 
of  his  conscience.  The  germ  of  liberty  ])lanted  by  them,  on  that 
cold  and  dreary  coast,  under  such  inauspicious  circumstances  and 
heroic  faith,  has  grown  to  considerable  proportions ; and  as  the 
morning  sun  of  religious  freedom  dawned  and  shed  its  effulgent 
radiance  on  this  little  band,  has  kept  its  onward  march,  until  from 
this  fountain-head,  the  spirit  of  liberty  has  permeated  all  peoples  and 
every  quarter  of  the  globe.  They  were  the  nucleus  around  which 
clustered  and  grew  that  spirit  which  a little  over  a hundred  years 
after  culminated,  and  gave  to  the  world  the  immortal  Declaration 
of  Independence ; the  Magna  Charta  of  Universal  Liberty.  Happy 
indeed  is  he  who  can  trace  his  ancestral  line  back  to  this  noble  blood. 
Blood  made  noble;  not  by  the  acts  of  the  putrid  and  crumbling 
monarchies  of  the  old  world,  but  bearing  the  stamp  of  the  royal  insig- 
nia of  the  most  powerful  republic  on  earth.  Noyes  Ladd  was  born  in 
New  London  county.  Conn.,  March  81st,  1822,  and  is  the  son  of 
Noyes  and  Harriet  Ladd.  Noyes  Ladd,  Sr.,  was  also  a native  of  the 
land  of  “steady  habits,”  and  it  was  in  that  state  that  he  grew  to  man- 
hood and  married  Miss  Harriet  Z.  Williams,  who  was  the  daughter 
of  Capt.  Elias  Williams,  a sea  captain,  and  he  was  descended  from 


William  Williams,  one  of  the  signers  of  the  Declaration  of  Inde- 
pendence. The  mother  of  Mrs.  Ladd  was  the  only  daughter  of 
Captain  William  Stanton,  who  did  good  service  in  bravely  fighting 
and  defending  the  firesides  of  the  pioneers  during  the  French  and 
Indian  war — and  later,  w’hen  the  revolutionary  conflict  came  on,  he 
was  the  first  to  join  that  patriotic  army  in  defence  of  freedom.  The 
history  and  results  of  that  ever  memorable  conflict  are  known  to 
all  ; the  tedious  marches  and  perilous  hardship  endured  while 
poorly  clad  and  fed,  by  that  little  army  of  sturdy  yeomen,  fur- 
nish a theme  for  the  highest  reverence  and  commendation.  He 
received  his  first  commission  as  Lieutenant  in  the  British  army 
from  George  the  III.,  and  fought  for  his  king  against  the  French 
and  Indians,  in  the  Canada  cani2:)aign.  And  after  the  Declaration 
of  Independence  was  promulgated,  he  joined  the  j^atriotic  army,  as 
above  stated.  His  ancestors  were  also  among  those  who  came  over 
in  the  May  Flower.  Noyes  Ladd,  Sr.,  followed  the  life  of  a farmer 
in  Connecticut.  He  raised  a family  of  eight  children,  seven  boys 
and  one  daughter.  His  death  occurred  about  1840.  His  widow, 
eight  years  thereafter,  with  her  family,  started  for  the  West;  her 
son,  Noyes  Ladd,  the  snbject  of  this  sketch,  was  the  eldest.  He  liad 
jn’eviously  made  a trip  to  this  state,  which  was  in  the  fall  of  1848, 
and  his  choice  of  location  finally  settled  upon  Christian  county, 
where  he  purchased  laud,  and  then  returned  to  Connecticut  to  bring 
out  his  mother  and  the  family.  Previous  to  this  time,  IMr.  Ladd 
had  married  Miss  Pliebe  Williams,  also  a native  of  New  London 
county.  Conn.  Mr.  Ladd,  wife  and  three  children,  his  mother,  four 
brothers  and  one  sister,  and  wife’s  sister.  Miss  Elizabeth  Williams, 
started  for  Illinois  in  the  sj)ring  of  1849,  to  make  for  themselves  in 
this  state  a jiermanent  home.  They  had  been  lured  from  the  laud 


200 


HISTORY  OF  CHRISTIAN  COUNTY,  ILLINOIS. 


of  their  nativity  by  the  pleasing  stories  that  were  told  them  of  the 
prolific  soil  and  genial  climate,  green-verdured  and  flower-decked 
prairies,  whose  broad  expansive  plains  were  only  circumscribed  by 
the  lines  of  the  horizon.  This  vision  of  beauty  formed  a j^icture  of 
surpassing  loveliness,  when  in  contrast  with  the  sterile  and  rugged 
hills  that  they  were  leaving  behind.  Cheerfully  did  they  say  the 
last  good-bye  to  the  friends  and  comjianions  of  their  youth,  as  they 
started  on  their  march  with  their  eyes  basking  in  the  radiance  of 
the  setting  sun,  little  thinking  that  in  a few  short  days,  they  would 
be  overtaken  by  an  accident,  sad  and  dreadful  in  its  consequences. 

On  arriving  in  New  York,  the  ])arty  took  passage  on  the  steam- 
boat Empire  for  Albany,  N.  Y.  And  when  off  Newburg,  and  about 
eleven  o’clock  at  night,  the  boat  came  in  collision  with  a lumber 
schooner ; she  was  badly  damaged,  and  sank  in  deep  water,  and  in 
less  time  than  it  takes  to  tell  the  story,  the  four  brothers  of  Mr. 
Ladd  were  drowned.  Their  names  and  ages  are  as  follows  : 
Cyrus  F.  Ladd,  aged  sixteen  years  ; Darius  Ladd,  fourteen  years  ; 
Nathan  S.  Ladd,  twelve  years ; and  Elias  W.  Ladd,  aged  ten  years. 
]\Irs.  Ladd,  the  mother,  received  severe  injuries,  from  which  she 
never  fully  recovered.  It  was  with  much  difficulty  that  she  was 
rescued,  being  taken  through  a hole  made  in  the  roof  of  the  cabin. 
They  lost  all  their  household  effects,  and  wearing  apparel  and  money. 
]\Ir.  Ladd  found  it  nece.ssary  to  purchase  clothing  in  order  to  pro- 
ceed on  their  journey.  INIr.  Ladd  arrived  in  Chri.stian  county  in 
June,  1849,  and  settled  near  where  he  now  resides,  in  Buckhart 
town.ship.  Ilis  mother  made  her  home  with  him  until  her  death, 
June  7th,  1869.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Ladd  had  four  children  born  to 
them  after  they  came  to  this  county.  Tliey  raised  a fiimily  of 
seven  children,  of  whom  four  are  living,  as  follows:  Harriet  W., 

now  the  wife  of  A.  S.  Hedden,  residents  of  tliis  county.  Curtis  K. 
John  B.  W.  and  Jessie  Y.  Ladd.  The  three  latter  residing  at  home. 
On  the  22d  of  May,  1866,  occurred  the  death  of  Mrs.  Ladd.  He 
was  married  to  his  ]iresent  wife.  Miss  Eliza  J.  Kennard,  on  the  30th 
of  January,  1868.  By  this  union  has  been  born  to  them  a family 
of  three  children,  namely,  Eliza  J.,  Emily  A.,  and  Lillie.  Mr.  Ladd 
spent  his  early  boyhood  days  on  a farm,  and  has  continued  to  make 
farming  the  business  of  his  life.  He  imj)roved  the  place  he  is  living 
on,  which  is  among  the  good  farms  in  the  township;  a view  of 
which  can  be  seen  on  another  page  of  this  work.  Mr.  L.  assisted 
in  organizing  the  first  school  in  Buckhart.  He  and  Barnard  Davis 
and  H.  Nation,  were  the  first  trustees;  they  built  the  first 
school-hou.se,  and  employed  the  first  teacher,  Charles  Burdick;  the 
di.strict  comprised  the  whole  of  Township  14,  Range  2;  the  house 
■was  located  on  the  prc.sent  site  of  the  school  building  near  the  re.si- 
denceofG.  R.  Sharp.  The  only  surviving  member  of  his  father’s 
family  besides  hiimself  is  his  sister,  i\Irs.  Ann  E.  Ralston,  now  a 
resident  of  Hillsboro,  Illinois.  IMr.  Ladd  is  a member  of  the 
I’rcsbyterian  Church,  and  is  a man  whose  moral  worth  makes 
him  highly  esteemed  in  the  community  in  which  he  resides.  In 
])olitics  he  is  a republican,  and  is  one  of  the  zealous  and  stanch 
supporters  of  the  j)rincii)les  of  his  party,  and  a man  Avhose  <;oun.sel  is 
felt  in  the  ranks  of  the  party  of  tliis  county.  During  the  late  Re- 
bellion, the  Union  cause  had  in  him  a consistent  and  firm  supj)orter. 
In  reviewing  briefly  his  career,  we  find  a man  who  began  the  battle 
of  life  with  but  little  of  this  world’s  goods  to  a.ssist  him,  but  being 
endowed  with  energy  ami  habits  of  economy,  he  has  been  enabled 
to  acquire  for  him.sclf  and  family  a comfortable  comjx-tence.  He 
is,  in  the  fiille.st  sense  of  the  word,  a .self-made  man,  and  as  such, 
we  take  pleasure  in  presenting  him  to  our  numermis  reailers. 


IVERSON  STOKES, 

Who  has  lived  within  the  limits  of  what  is  now  Christian  county 
more  than  half  a century,  deserves  something  more  than  a passing 
notice  in  this  work.  He  was  born  in  Todd  county,  Kentucky,  June 
12th,  1825.  He  was  the  son  of  David  and  Sarah  Stokes.  David 
Stokes  was  a native  of  North  Carolina,  as  was  also  his  wife.  His 
father,  John  Stokes,  was  a native  Englishman,  who  emigrated  to 
America  prior  to  the  Revolutionary  war,  and  was  a soldier  in  that 
struggle.  Mr.  Stokes  is  also  of  English  descent  on  the  maternal  side, 
and  his  ancestors  on  that  side  also  participated  in  the  Revolution. 
John  Stokes,  the  grandfather  of  the  subject  of  our  sketch,  settled 
in  North  Carolina.  He  raised  a family  of  ten  children,  nine  boys 
and  one  daughter,  and  died  in  that  state.  David  Stokes  grew  to 
manhood  there,  and  after  his  marriage  emigrated  to  Kentucky, 
where  he  followed  farming.  He  raised  a family  of  twelve  children, 
seven  boys  and  five  girls,  Mr.  Stokes  being  the  tenth  in  number. 
In  1829  David  Stokes,  with  a desire  to  better  his  situation  in  life, 
emigrated  with  his  family  to  Illinois,  and  settled  in  the  extreme 
western  part  of  what  is  now  Christian  county,  where  he  entered 
land  from  the  government  and  improved  a fiirm.  He  lived  on  the 
I)lace  he  improved  until  his  death,  November  14th,  1844,  his  wife 
surviving  him  some  twelve  years.  The  subject  of  our  sketch  was 
between  four  and  five  years  of  age  when  his  father  settled  within 
the  boundaries  of  Christian  county.  He  remained  at  home,  assist- 
ing to  improve  the  farm,  until  he  was  twenty  years  of  age,  and  then 
began  working  for  himself.  xVt  the  age  of  twenty-one  he  was  mar- 
ried to  Miss  Louisa  Ashley,  daughter  of  John  Ashley,  a resident 
of  Sangamon  county.  They  have  a family  of  children  as  follows: 
Jane  A.,  now  the  wife  of  J.  F.  Geoi’ge,  and  living  in  Christian 
county ; John  A.,  now  in  Kansas,  railroading ; Loucinda  A.,  who 
married  G.  I).  Hooker,  and  lives  in  Kansas  ; Anna,  now  the  wife 
of  J.  W.  jMiller,  in  Kansas;  and  Julia  J.,  now  the  wife  of  Oscar 
Thrawls,  and  lives  in  Buckhart  township.  After  Mr.  Stokes’  mar- 
riage he  began  the  improvement  of  a farm,  and  has  continued 
farming  to  the  present  time ; he  has  also  worked  at  the  carpen- 
ter trade  for  nearly  thirty-five  years.  He  has  always  lived  near 
Avhere  his  father  settled  in  1829,  and  has  endured  all  the  hardships 
and  privations  incident  to  a ])ioneer  life.  His  education  thereby 
was  sadly  neglected  when  a boy,  having  such  advantages  only  as 
were  afforded  during  the  “ log  school-house  period.”  By  a diligent 
use  of  the  means  afforded  he  acquired  the  rudiments  of  an  educa- 
tion, and  in  after  life,  by  his  energy  and  industry,  he  qualified 
himself  very  creditably.  IMr.  Stokes’  historj'^  reaches  back  to  the 
days  of  the  early  settlements  of  Central  Illinois,  and  during  his 
residence,  since  he  arrived  at  the  age  of  maturity,  he  has  been 
identified  with  the  interests  of  his  county.  He  has  always  enjoyed 
the  re.spcct  and  confidence  of  the  community  in  which  he  has  lived. 
When  his  father  first  settled  in  this  county  they  were  accustomed 
to  go  to  St.  Louis,  ninety-five  miles  distant,  for  sugar,  .salt,  and 
other  necessaries.  The  j)coj)le,  however,  in  those  early  days  were 
.sociable  and  friendly,  and  would  turn  out  b»  a man  to  help  raise  a 
neighbor’s  cabin.  Mr.  Stokes  in  ])olitics  is  a stanch  democrat,  and 
takes  (piite  an  interest  in  the  success  of  the  party.  Though  not  a 
politician,  in  the  ordinary  accej)tance  of  that  term,  he  has  always 
taken  an  intelligent  interest  in  public  affairs,  supporting  the  prin- 
ciples of  his  party  from  the  belief  that  they  are  the  best  c:ilculated 
to  serve  the  interests  of  the  masses  under  a republican  form  of 
government,  lie  has  filhxl  the  office  of  school  treasurer  in  his 
township  for  fifteen  yc'ars. 


Stock  Farm  & Pcs  i den  ce  of  E.S.H  U RLB  U TT  Sec.  13.  T.  /4.  R.2.  [Buckhart  Tp,)  Christian  Co.,  I ll 


Ik*  LlbrMJ 
of  th« 
Onfy«r«rty  ol 


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Tk«  Library 
of  tho 

Unfvoniltv  of  flttaofo. 


Farni  Res.  or  B.I.RU  CKER  . Sec.35,T.U,R.2,  (Buckhart  Tr)  Christian  Co.  I ll. 


HISTORY  OF  CHRISTIAN  COUNTY,  ILLINOIS. 


201 


Was  one  of  the  prominent  agriculturalists  in  Buckliart  township ; 
he  was  born  in  Leyden,  Mass.,  March  15, 1811,  and  was  the  son  of 
Salmon  Sheldon.  He  was  brought  up  on  a farm,  and  educated  to 
that  avocation.  At  the  age  of  twenty  seven  he  was  united  in  mar- 
riage to  Miss  Evelina  iNIaxwell,  a native  of  Vermont.  Immediately 
after  his  marriage  he  emigrated  west,  and  settled  in  what  is  now 
Buckhart  township,  Christian  county,  Illinois ; this  was  in  the  year 
1838.  He  was  unlike  many  others  coming  to  a new  country  in  this 
particular  ; he  had  quite  an  amount  of  ready  cash  mostly  accumu- 
lated by  himself  after  he  arrived  at  the  age  of  maturity.  He  entered 
in  the  above-named  township,  one  thousand  acres  of  land  from  the 
government,  and  began  farming  and  stock  raising  on  rather  a large 
scale  for  those  days ; in  order  to  carry  on  the  business  in  a way  he 
wished  he  was  compelled  to  borrow  more  or  less  money ; he  invested 
his  entire  capital  in  land  and  improvements,  and  when  the  crash  of 
1849  came  on  him  he  could  not  realize  upon  his  stock,  and  the  con- 
sequences were  he  lost  his  entire  possessions,  the  land  went  into  the 
hands  of  his  creditors,  and  his  father,  being  one  of  them,  received 
two  hundred  and  forty-tive  acres.  Mr.  Sheldon  was  a man  of  energy 
and  industry,  and  while  this  misfortune  would  have  unnerved  some 
men,  it  seemed  to  renew  his  vigor.  He  rented  this  two  hundred 
and  forty-five  acres  of  land  from  his  father ; after  three  years  he 
went  back  to  Mass.,  making  most  of  the  trip  in  a one  horse  wagon 
in  company  with  his  wife.  On  his  return  he  purchased  this  tract  of 
26 


land  from  his  father,  and  began  life  anew,  and  was  more  successful. 
By  degrees,  he  added  acre  after  acre,  until  his  farm  consisted  of  five 
hundred  acres,  well  improved  with  good  buildings.  Mr.  Sheldon 
was  a man  of  integrity  and  industry,  and  proved  to  be  a very  use- 
ful citizen.  He  worked  energetically  to  subdue  the  soil,  and  soon 
found  himself  the  possessor  of  an  excellent  farm.  He  raised  a 
family  of  five  children,  viz:  Mary  E.,  now  deceased,  who  was  the 
wife  of  C.  r.  C.  Miner  ; Emma  I.,  late  wife  of  L.  Bradley;  Leonora, 
now  living  at  the  old  homestead;  Abby  Jenette,  now  decea.scd,  and 
Salmon  jNI.,  who  is  now  living  at  the  old  homestead.  He  was  united 
in  marriage  to  INIiss  Mary  I.  Wood,  a native  of  Hixon,  Illinois, 
February  4,  1874.  They  have  a family  of  three  children,  Jennie  I., 
Victor  L.  and  Maud  L.  Mr.  Sheldon  was  past  sixty-eight  years  of 
age  at  the  time  of  his  death  November  20, 1879.  He  lived  a quiet  life, 
and  was  a member  of  the  M.  E.  Church  nearly  forty  years;  he  took 
an  active  part  in  church  interests  until  the  close  ot  his  life ; the 
church  was  always  near  his  heart,  and  next  to  his  family  he  remem- 
bered the  altar  where  he  worshipped.  He  gave  liberally,  and  his 
was  a simple  faith,  apostolic  in  character,  evangelic  in  results. 
Though  an  active,  busy  life  was  his,  managing  quite  an  estate  for 
many  years,  yet  his  mind  was  unusually  well  informed,  and  he  was 
fully  abreast  with  the  thought  of  the  age.  His  political  affiliations 
were  always  on  the  side  of  freedom,  and  the  Union  cause  of  the  late 
war  had  in  him  a strong  supporter. 


202 


HISTORY  OF  CHRISTIAN  COUNTY,  ILLINOIS. 


Was  born  in  Clail)orne  county,  Tennessee,  November  23d,  1822. 
He  was  the  son  of  William  and  Barbara  Sharp.  His  ancestry  on 
the  paternal  side  were  Scotch-I  rish,  and  on  the  maternal  side,  Ger- 
man. William  Sharp  was  a native  of  Tennessee,  born  in  17!)9. 
The  Sharp  family  settled  in  America  long  prior  to  the  Revolution- 
ary war.  They  first  settled  in  North  ( arolina,  afterward  moved 
into  Virginia,  and  subseijuently  moved  into  the  state  of  Tennessee 
in  an  early  day.  William  Sharji  married  Barbara  Hunter  in  Ten- 
nessee. They  had  nine  children  horn  to  them  in  that  state,  in 
183G  they  emigrated  to  Macoupin  county,  Illinois,  and  settled  in 
the  north-west  jiart  of  the  county.  They  had  one  child  horn  to  them 
after  coming  to  1 llinois.  In  1838  IMrs.  Sharp  died.  Mr.  Sharp 
afterwards  married  Miss  Elizabeth  Wilson,  by  whom  he  had  five 
children,  of  which  two  are  now  living.  Mr.  Sharp  followed  the 
life  of  a farmer  and  blacksmith.  He  died  at  the  residence  of  his 
son,  John  Sharp,  the  subject  of  our  sketch,  June  20,  1875.  John 
Sharp  was  fourteen  years  of  age  when  Jiis  father  moved  to 
Illinois.  He  assisted  on  his  father’s  farm,  in  Macoujiin  county, 
until  he  was  of  age,  and  attended  the  common  schools  of  that 
county  fluring  the  winter  months.  At  the  age  of  twenty-three  he 
enli.stcfl  in  the  Me.xican  war.  He  was  in  Company  G.,  under  Caji- 
tain  .1.  Wyatt,  1st  Illinois  V’ols.,  Col  .John  J.  Hardin  having  com- 
mand of  the  regiment.  He  was  in  the  battle  of  Buena  \'ista,  where 
Cf»I.  Hardin  was  killed,  and  within  a short  distance  of  the  Colonel 
when  he  fell.  .Mr.  Sharji  eidisted  in  this  war  in  .lune,  18-K),  and 
returned  home  Jidy,  1 8 17,  after  his  discharge.  H is  hrothcr,  Henry 
H.,  accort]|iani(sl  him  through  this  war.  The  following  fall  after 
their  discharge  they  went  tf>  Iowa  tf»  lay  their  land  warrants.  After 
traveling  about  over  the  state  for  sometime,  they  made  a choice!  near 
where  < t'kaloosa  i.-  now  locatcfl.  .After  laying  their  claims  they 


remained  in  the  state  for  a few  months,  returning  the  following  year. 
From  that  time  until  1849  i\Ir.  Sharp  farmed,  broke  prairie  and 
taught  school.  September  9th,  1849,  he  was  united  in  marriage  to 
Miss  Emeline  Kcdfern,  a native  of  Macoupin  county.  By  this 
union  they  have  had  a family  of  eight  children,  of  whom  seven  are 
living,  three  boys  and  four  girls,  viz.  : Henry  E.,  Joseph  M.,  Sarah 
A.,  Ida  E.,  Ira  G.,  Emma  C.  and  Lulu  May.  Heury  E.  is  married 
and  lives  in  Taylorville  township.  Sarah  A.  is  now  the  wife  of  Dr. 
F.  A.  McNeill,  living  in  Sharpshurg.  In  1853  Mr.  Sharp  moved 
into  Christian  county,  and  settled  in  Buckhart  township,  where  he 
now  resides.  He  sold  his  land,  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres,  in 
Iowa,  for  $2.50  per  acre,  and  bought  where  he  now  lives  for  $5.00 
j>er  acre.  His  first  purchase  was  eighty  acres.  He  has  made  farm- 
ing and  stock-raising  his  life  occui)ation.  AVhen  the  Springfield, 
Illinois  and  South-Eastern  railroad  was  being  constructed  through 
the  county,  Mr.  Sharp  and  his  brothers,  George  U.  and  Henry  H„ 
were  instrumental  in  getting  a dej)ot  located  near  them,  in  order  to 
facilitate  their  shi|)ments.  The  railroad  comi)any  gave  the  name  of 
the  place  Sharj)shurg,  In  polities  Mr.  Sharp  is  a democrat.  He 
cast  his  first  vote  for  James  K.  Folk,  and  he  has  continued  to  vote 
for  every  democratic  nominee  to  the  present  time.  When  the 
county  went  into  township  organization  he  was  elected  as  the  first 
Supervisor  from  Buckhart  township.  He  is  now  Notary  Public,  a 
position  he  has  held  for  five  years.  For  a numher  of  years  he  has 
been  a member  of  the  .Masonic  order.  Mr.  Sharp  started  out  in 
life  with  nothing,  hut  his  mind  was  made  vij)  from  the  start  to  fight 
his  way  upward  in  the  world  if  anything  could  he  accomj)lishcd  by 
hard  work  and  perseverance.  II  c now  has  a comfortable  home,  with 
everything  about  him  to  make  his  declining  years  full  of  ease  and 
serenity. 


HISTORY  OF  CHRISTIAN  COUNTY,  ILLINOIS. 


203 


Was  born  in  Claiborne  county,  Tenn.,  January  3,  1830.  He 
Avas  the  son  of  William  and  Barbara  Sharp.  They  raised  a family 
of  ten  children,  nine  born  in  Tennessee,  and  one  in  INlacoupin 
county,  after  their  removal  to  Illinois.  Their  names  are  as  fol- 
lows : Elizabeth,  now  the  wife  of  Joseph  Montgomery,  lives  in 
Macoupin  county ; John,  now  living  in  Christian  county  ; Henry 
H.,  also  living  in  Christian  county;  Winnifred,  late  wife  of  Ga- 
briel Hurt,  of  Macoupin  county ; Lawson,  now  living  in  IMissouri ; 
George  R.,  the  subject  of  our  sketch  ; Louisa,  now  the  Avife  of  John 
Fair,  living  in  Nebraska;  William  N.,  noAV  living  in  Barton 
county,  Missouri ; Barbara,  late  Avife  of  Thomas  J.  Fair,  and  iVIary, 
Avife  of  Wesley  Henderson,  living  in  Kansas.  In  the  fall  of  1836 
William  Sharp,  Avith  his  family,  emigrated  from  Tennessee  ami 
settled  in  Macoupin  county,  Illinois.  Tavo  years  subsequently  he 
lost  his  Avife  ; he  afterAvards  married  Miss  Elizabeth  Wilson.  They 
had  five  children,  tAVO  of  Avhom  are  living,  viz. : Susan,  iioaa"  the 
AA'ife  of  William  Coons,  living  in  Missouri,  and  Agnes,  aa’Iio  mar- 
ried Robert  IMiddleton,  and  lives  in  Nebraska.  In  1869  jNIr. 
Sharp  removed  to  Barton  county,  Missouri,  AA’here  he  remained 
tlu’ee  years;  he  then  came  to  Christian  county  and  made  his  home 
AA'itli  his  son,  John  Sharp,  until  his  death,  June  20,  1875.  Too 
much  cannot  be  said  in  praiseAVorthy  terms  of  the  character  of 
William  Sharp,  Avho  alAA’ays  taught  by  example  Avhat  he  held  by 
precept.  For  forty  years  he  Avas  held  as  a model  for  the  old  and 
the  young,  being  a professor  of  religion  and  a member  of  the  Bap- 
tist church,  in  Avhich  he  held  the  position  of  deacon  for  a number 
of  years.  His  second  Avife  died  about  four  years  prior  to  his  death. 
George  R.  Sharp  grew  to  manhood  on  a farm,  and  at  the  age  of 
twenty-six,  he  Avas  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Susan  Hanon,  Sep- 


tember 28,  1856.  She  Avas  a daughter  of  Martin  and  Sarah 
Hanon,  and  born  within  the  limits  of  Christian  county,  but  before 
the  county  Avas  organized  ; her  birth  dates  February  19,  1838. 
Her  father,  Martin  Hanon,  Avas  a native  of  Tennessee ; his  parents 
moved  to  Kentucky  when  he  Avas  quite  small,  Avhere  they  lived 
until  he  Avas  about  tAvelve  years  of  age.  They  then  remoA^ed  to 
what  is  noAV  Gallatin  county,  Illinois,  this  being  in  the  year  1812. 
At  the  age  of  fifteen  his  father  died ; his  mother  subsequently 
moved  further  north  in  the  state,  and  in  1818  Mrs.  Hanon  AA’ith  her 
family  settled  Avithin  the  present  limits  of  Christian  county.  Mrs. 
Sharp’s  father  Avas  about  nineteen  years  of  age  AA’hen  his  mother 
settled  here.  At  the  age  of  tAA'enty-four  he  married  Mi.ss  Sarah 
Miller  ; by  this  union  they  had  eleven  children,  of  Avhom  ]\Irs. 
Sharp  Avas  the  eighth.  Mr.  Hanon  lived  in  this  county  until  his 
death,  January  25, 1879,  at  the  advanced  age  of  eighty  years.  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Sharp  have  raised  a family  of  seven  children,  tAvo  sons  and 
five  daughters,  viz  : William  Virgil,  the  oldest,  noAV  deceased,  Avho 
died  at  the  age  of  eighteen  years  and  six  months,  January  27,  1876  ; 
Xemenia  Pruella,  noAV  the  Avife  of  N.  D.  Waller,  living  in  Sharps- 
burg ; Mary  A.,  George  E.,  Emma  A.,  I\Iabel  Jane,  and  Nina  Pearl. 
After  Mr.  Sharp’s  marriage  he  began  the  improvement  of  the  place 
he  is  noAA'  living  on ; he  has  ahvays  folloAA'ed  farming.  In  politics 
he  is  a democrat.  He  has  represented  his  toAVnship  in  the  Board  of 
Supervisors  for  nine  successive  years.  His  actions  Avhile  in  this 
position  have  met  AA'ith  the  general  support  of  the  best  classes  of  the 
community,  he  having  determined  to  adopt  a liberal  and  at  the 
same  time  economic  jiolicy,  and  to  do  Avhat  he  considered  best  for 
the  sound  interests  of  the  county.  He  is  uoav  a candidate  for  the 
Legislature  on  the  democratic  ticket. 


204 


HISTORY  OF  CHRISTIAN  COUNTY,  ILLINOIS. 


GEORGE  C.  WILKIXSON, 

One  among  the  prominent  business  men  of  Edinburg,  is  a native 
of  Cbristian  county,  and  was  born  January  13,  1853.  He  was  the 
son  of  Reuben  and  Esther  Wilkinson.  Reuben  Wilkinson  was  a 
native  of  Kentucky,  and  emigrated  to  Illinois  at  an  early  date 
with  his  parents,  where  he  grew  to  manhood.  He  married  JVIiss  Es- 
ther Bratt,  a native  of  England.  They  raised  a family  of  two 
children,  viz. : Emma  J.,  now  the  wife  of  George  P.  Herrington, 
living  in  Edinburg,  and  the  subject  of  our  sketch.  Reuben  Wil- 
kinson for  many  years  has  been  a prominent  citizen  of  Christian 
county,  and  is  well  known  to  most  all  the  old  settlers.  He  has  been 
a prominent  farmer  in  the  county  for  many  years ; also  been  en- 
gaged in  the  milling  business  quite  extensively  for  several  years ; 
is  one  of  the  principal  shippers  of  grain  on  the  O.  & M.  railroad, 


and  is  known  as  one  of  Christian  county’s  industrious  and  success- 
ful citizens.  George  C.  Wilkinson  was  united  in  marriage  January 
22,  1874,  to  Miss  Lizzie  Vandeveer,  also  a native  of  Christian 
county.  They  have  one  child — Harry.  Mr.  Wilkimson  began 
his  business  career  in  Edinburg  in  1873.  He  is  engaged  in  the 
livery  busine.ss,  and  has  one  of  the  finest  livery  buildings  in  Central 
Illinois,  as  well  stocked  with  good  horses  and  rigs  of  every  descrip- 
tion as  can  be  found  in  any  first-cla.ss  stable.  He  is  also  engaged  in 
farming  and  general  trading.  A view  of  his  farm  and  livery  build- 
ings can  be  seen  in  another  part  of  this  work.  Thus  far  his  life 
has  been  well  spent ; with  his  social  and  industrious  qualities,  he  is 
destined  to  make  life  a success.  IMay  imosperity  attend  him  in  all 
the  varied  walks  of  life. 


11  r c K s 


TOWNSHIP. 


AS  so  named  in  honor  of  the  “ Ricks  ” family,  who  were 
pioneers,  and  settled  on  the  head  waters  of  Bear  CVeek, 
at  an  early  date. 

This  township,  formerly  a j)art  of  Bear  Creek  pre- 
cinct, was  formed  in  1866,  upon  the  adoption  of  township  organiza- 
tion. It  embraces  the  congressional  township,  known  as  T.  11  N., 
R.  3 W.  The  .surface  is  a beautiful  undulating  j)rairie,  with  but 
little  or  no  timber.  The  soil  is  a deep,  rich,  black  loam,  very  fer- 
tile and  productive,  every  acre  of  which  is  suscej)tible  of  a high 
state  of  cultivation.  The  head  waters  of  Bear  Creek  traverse  its 
center,  meandering  in  a northerly  direction,  and  pass  out  of  the 
township  at  the  north-east  corner  of  section  5.  This  creek  and  its 
affluents,  Prairie  Fork,  Ivick,  iuid  two  or  three  minor  tributaries, 
drain  the  lands,  and  furnish  a good  supply  of  water  for  stock 
purposes. 

A few  years  ago  this  whole  area  was  comj)aratively  an  unluibiUHl 
waste;  only  here  and  there  stood  the  lone  (‘abin  as  an  evidence  of 
the  more  advanced  [)ioneer  of  civilization;  while  to-day  its  broad 
acres  are  subdued  anil  made  to  yield,  and  on  every  hand  may  be 
seen  well-made  farms  and  houses,  teeming  with  life  and  activity. 
An  energetic  people,  not  to  be  surpassed  in  industry,  perseverance 
and  progression,  are  using  their  united  efiiirts  to  make  this  one  of 
the  first  townships  in  the  county. 

The  early  history  of  Ricks  may  be  found  in  the  Bear  Creek 
townshij)  hi.story,  as,  for  many  years  after  the  county  was  organized, 
it  was  included  as  a jiart  of  that  precinct. 

The  first  land  entered  in  this  township  was  by  Gabriel  B.  .lerni- 
gan,  December  !llh,  1835.  It  constituted  the  E.  d,  A.  E.  of  section 
4,  86  acres,  and  A.  W.,  N.  E.  section  4,  43  acres.  Also  on  the 
same  dafi'  'flios.  P.  Pond  entered  N.  W.,  N.  W.  section  3,  41?,',, 
acres.  September  3(lth,  1836,  Wm.  S.  Ricks,  W.  d,  N.  E.  section 
3,  82il!:,  acres. 


Below  we  give  !i  list  of  the  'fownsbii)  Officers. 

Snpervisora — J.  I f.  Sisna,  elected  1866;  and  re-elected  1867  and 
1868;  Alpheus  Wall,  186!);  J.  B.  White,  1870,  re-elected  1871, 


1872,  1873,  1874,  and  1875;  A.  B.  Herdman,  1876,  and  by  re-elec- 
tion served  till  1879 ; E.  S.  Shull,  1880. 

As.smors. — John  S.  Craig,  1876;  E.  S.  Shull,  1877  ; W.  T.  Ricks, 
1878;  Fred.  Grundy,  1879;  Wm.  T.  Ricks,  1880. 

Collectors. — John  D.  Fuller,  elected  1866;  Wm.  Montgomery, 
1867,  1868,  and  1869  ; N.  W.  Dennis,  1870;  Wm.  T.  Ricks,  1871 ; 
Wm.  Monegan,  1872,1873,  1874;  W.  H.  Hearin,  1875 ; Geo.  A. 
Vandeveer,  1876,  and  by  re-election  served  till  1879;  Louis  John- 
son, 1880. 

Town  Clerics. — Joseph  G.  White,  elected  1869  ; Wm.  A.  Ander- 
son, 1870  ; Peter  Clickener,  1871 ; Silas  Iron,  1872  ; D.  F.  Murry, 

1873,  and  re-elected  each  succeeding  year. 

Commissioners  of  Hujhwmjs. — Anson  Wall,  1876  ; Fred.  Bertman, 
1877  ; Fred.  Schmidt,  1878;  W.  H.  Beaty,  1879;  Fred.  Bertman, 
1880. 

Constables. — Anson  Wall  and  James  M.  Fuller,  elected  in  1873 ; 
James  M.  Arnold  and  John  W.  Hunter,  1877;  Charles  Dinwiddle, 
1878;  I.  J.  Christopher,  1879. 

Justices  of  the  Peace. — James  II.  Sisna  and  Joseph  W.  Snively, 
elected  in  1866;  Newell  I).  Ricks,  1867;  Sanford  Petty,  1868; 
James  II.  Sisna  and  John  S.  Craig,  1870;  John  S.  Craig  and  James 
11.  Sisna,  re-elected  in  1876;  John  S.  Craig,  re-elected  1877; 
James  Stork,  1877. 


.MOintlSONVIEEE. 

The  land  on  which  this  town  is  located,  was  entered  by  Ex-Gov- 
Carlin,  June  14th,  1871,  at  the  nominal  sum  of  $1.25  per  acre, 
'fhe  title  of  the  present  town  site  was  vested  in  Col.  J.  L.  D.  Mor- 
ri.son,  of  Belleville,  Illinois,  now  a resident  of  St.  Louis,  Mis.souri, 
who  purchased  it  from  the  heirs  of  his  first  wife,  the  daughter  of 
p]x-Gov.  Carlin. 

Col.  Morri.son  laid  out  the,  town,  in  the  fall  of  186!),  under  the 
supervision  of  the  Decatur  and  East  St.  Louis  Railroad  Company, 
now  the  Waba.'<h,  St.  Louis  and  Pacific  Railway,  donating  one-half 
the  land  with  the  exjiress  condition  that  the  company  would  make 


WAMNS  a-  BUG&IES 


muunAL 


LI  VERY 


ST  A BLES 


[ 0>F/  Cf.  [ 


Residence  AND  Farm  or  GEO  .C.  Wl  LKI NSON,  Edinburg,  iLLi  NOis, 


• 


« 


HISTORY  OF  CHRISTIAN  COUNTY,  ILLINOIS. 


205 


tliis  station  a regular  stopping  place  for  all  trains.  He  in  addition 
donated  fifty  lots,  conditioned  that  the  occupants  build  on  the 
same. 

Situation  and  Surveij — The  town  is  eligibly  situated  on  high,  roll- 
ing ground,  in  the  center  of  a populous  prairie,  and  commands  the 
trade  of  the  surrounding  country  for  many  miles.  It  received  its 
name  in  honor  of  the  original  proprietor.  Col.  Morrison.  The  main 
part  of  the  town  is  located  on  the  west  half  of  the  North-west 
quarter  of  section  eight,  and  was  surveyed  and  platted  by  Richard 
M.  Powel,  county  surveyor  in  1870,  and  acknowledged  by  Col.  J. 
L.  D.  Morrison  and  Adelia  8.  Morrison,  his  wife,  April  4th,  1871. 
The  plat  was  filed  in  county  Recorder’s  office,  April  8th,  1871. 
Since  then  there  have  been  two  additions  made,  viz.  : W.  E.  Morri- 
son’s addition,  south-west  (piarter  of  section  five,  and  T.  F.  Potts’ 
addition,  south-east  quarter  of  section  six. 

The  Wabash,  St.  Louis  and  Pacific  Railway  runs  in  a south-west 
direction,  diagonally  through  the  center  of  the  town  plat.  The 
track  was  laid  through  the  town  in  May,  1870,  about  six  months 
after  the  location  of  Morrisonville. 

SETTI.ExMENT. 

The  first  resident  within  the  present  town  limits,  was  James 
Arnold,  who  lived  on  the  estate  of  the  late  Mr.  Perrine.  This 
tract,  however,  was  not  within  the  limits  of  the  town  at  the  time  of 
its  location.  The  original  town  plat  contained  but  eighty  acres. 
The  first  settler,  in  the  town  proper  then,  was  Richard  McLean, 
who  erected  the  first  house  in  January,  1870.  It  was  located  near 
the  depot,  and  was  then  used  for  saloon  ])urposes.  The  building  is 
now  owned  by  J.  P.  Stark. 

Joseph  Poggenpol  built  the  first  dwelling-house,  in  February  of 
the  same  year.  During  this  month  several  families — N.  N.  Bell, 
James  Sanford,  and  A.  Wall,  became  residents  on  the  same  day  ; and 
others  followed  in  quick  succession. 

The  first  store  building  was  erected  by  N.  N.  Bell,  in  which  he 
opened  the  first  stock  of  goods  for  sale.  This  was  in  the  latter  part 
of  February,  1870.  The  building  is  now  owned  by  M.  F.  Cheney. 
Mr.  Bell’s  goods  were  the  first  shipped  on  the  new  railroad  to  Mor- 
risonville. 

C.  M.  Leberman  built  and  opened  the  second  store,  with  a gen- 
eral stock  of  goods.  Both  these  establishments  were  located  on  Carlin 
street. 

The  next  store  was  erected  and  opened  by  D.  F.  Bonnell,  with  a 
complete  stock  of  general  goods.  This  store  is  now  owned  by  N. 
K.  Beardslee.  All  these  stores  were  built  and  opened  during  the 
early  part  of  the  year  1870. 

The  following  named  persons  located  here  first  in  their  respective 
occupations; — E.  Green,  Carpenter  shop;  II.  Meain, mill  in 
running  order;  Stewart  and  Post,  Elevator;  Anson  Wall,  Hotel; 
Alpheus  Wall,  Post-master;  C.  Wucherpfennig,  Blachsmitli;  Mr. 

Tetzloff,  Wagon-mahcr ; Chedister  & Shull,  Lumbermen;  C. 

Townsend  & Co.,  Druggists;  Wm.  Wilkins,  Banker;  Geo.  Britton, 
Hardware  store;  Dr.  C.  Voorhees,  Physician.  George  Hall,  was 
the  first  child  born  in  the  town  limits.  The  first  death  was  an  in- 
fant child  of  Mr. Burts. 

During  the  year  1871,  the  commercial  intei’ests  were  represented 
in  almost  every  branch,  and  a large  number  of  business  houses  and 
residences  were  erected. 

When  the  census  was  taken  in  1870,  there  were  but  one  hundred 
and  twenty-eight  souls,  and  at  jjresent  as  nearly  as  can  be  judged, 
would  reach  a population  of  twelve  hundred. 

Below  we  give  a list  of  the  present  business  houses  in  Morrison- 
ville : — 


NEWSPAPER. 

The  Morrisonville  Times,  was  established  by  Thomas  E.  Cox, 
editor  and  proprietor,  and  the  first  number  issued  August  20,  1875. 
It  was  a folio  of  twenty-four  columns,  and  quite  creditable  and  neat 
in  its  mechanical  arrangement.  The  paper  is  now  edited  and  pub- 
lished by  Steen  Brothers. 

THE  I’OST-OFFICE, 

Was  established  in  1870,  with  Alpheus  ATall,  as  the  first  post-master. 
The  succeeding  ones  have  been  Geo.  H.  Cox,  R.  A.  Buxton  and  J. 
W.  ('ampbell. 

BANK. 

The  banking  house  of  J.  H.  Vandeveer,  was  established  October 
15,  1879.  A.  II.  Vandeveer,  cashier. 

MILLS  AND  ELEVATORS. 

Glenn  Bros.  Alill  and  Elevator  was  built  in  1871,  and  is  now 
owned  by  Fredrick  & Harrison.  The  mill  has  four  run  of  burrs. 
The  elevator  is  constructed  for  handling  all  kinds  of  grain,  and  has 
a capacity  of  20,000  bushels  small  grain. 

A.  B.  Herdman  & Co.’s  elevator  was  erected  by  J.  R.  Stewart,  in 
1871.  It  is  constructed  for  handling  all  kinds  of  grain,  with  a 
capacity  of  1 6,000  bushels. 

The  elevator-  owned  and  operated  by  Settlemire  A Son,  is  built 
for  handling  all  kinds  of  grain,  and  has  a capacity  of  16,000  storage. 

Physicians. — W.  AV.  Crane,  J.  AA’^.  Campbell,  A.  B.  Simmons,  D. 
F.  Salander. 

(ten  I Stores. — T.  S.  Knotts,  J.  L.  Terrell  & Co.,  N.  K.  Beardslee. 
Groceries  and  Queensware. — J.  B.  & C.  H.  Walker,  Kelley  & 
Cole,  J.  AA".  & A.  S.  AIcCauley,  E.  L.  Cheatham  A Co. 

Drug  Stores. — Steen  Bros.,  Leroy  Martin. 

Hardware  and  Agricultural  Implements  — AVyckoff  A Randolph. 
Hardware  and  Timvare. — Rafter  and  Hammack. 

Tin  Store. — AA’^m.  Drake  A Bro. 

Clothing  and  Geids'  Furnishing  Goods. — V.  Breen. 

Dry  Goods  and  Groceries. — J-  AA’^elsh. 

Dry  Goods  and  Clothing. — Jacob  Levi. 

Merchant  Tailor. — G.  H.  Schmidt. 

Clothing,  Boots  and  Shoes. — David  Noonan. 

Boot  and  Shoe  Store- — E Overand. 

Shoe  Shops- — Joseph  Kins,  F.  Sandhagen,  A.  AViegant. 

Harness  Store- — A.  Michael. 

Bakery  and  Confectionery- — George  Atzger. 

Bakery  and  Bestaurant. — M.  AI.  Sternberg. 

Grocery  and  Bestaurant- — J.  H.  Poggenpol. 

Tobacco  and  Bestaurant. — A.  Alunsterman,  Alichael  AIcLean. 
Dentist. — C.  AI  Brown. 

Lumber  Yard- — E.  S.  Shull. 

Architects,  Builders  & Wagon  Mamif  rs. — GfHighter  and  AVarren. 
Wagon  Factory. — A.  AA'^.  Aliller. 

Livery  and  Feed  Stables. — Anson  AA'^all. 

Blacksmith  Shops. — J.  T.  Hall,  Christ  AVucherj)fennig,  .loseph 
Ochsner,  Templeton  A Galloway. 

3Ieat  Market. — Samuel  Brown. 

Photographer. — E.  P.  Tilley. 

Barber  Shops. — Simon  Byer,  E.  P.  Tilley. 

Millinery  and  Fancy  Store. — Aliss  Emma  Buchanan,  Aliss  Rosie 
Ingalls,  Airs.  Dora  Thatcher. 

HOTELS. 

Tremont  House. — N.  N.  Bell,  proprietor. 

Cheney  House. — AA^.  H.  Hearin,  proprietor. 

City  Hotel. — Lewis  Banschbach,  ])roprietor. 


206 


HISTORY  OF  CHRISTIAN  COUNTY,  ILLINOIS. 


BENEVOLENT  SOCIETIES. 

Morrisonville  Lodge  No.  681,  A.  F.  and  A.  M.,  was  organized 
under  dispensation,  Feb.  28,  1871,  and  charter  granted  Oct.  3d, 
1871.  The  charter  members  numbered  nineteen. 

The  First  Officers  ivere:  J.  C.  Wood,  W.  M.  ; R.  K.  Pence,  S. 
AV.  ; AV.  T.  Ricks,  J.  AA^. ; S.  M-  McReynolds,  Treas. ; 1).  F.  Salan- 
der.  Sec.  ; K K.  Beardslee,  S.  D. ; A.  AVall,  J.  D. ; H.  C.  Bartho- 
lomew, Tyler. 

Present  Officers  are  : J.  M,  Pence,  AA^.  M. ; A.  AV.  Miller,  S.  AV.; 
AA'm.  Drake,  J.  AA^.  ; D.  F.  Murry,  Treas.  ; J.  P.  Stark,  Sec. ; G.  AV, 
Ladley,  S.  D. ; John  Smith,  J.  D.  ; R.  K.  Pence  and  C.  A.  AA^’yc- 
koff.  Stewards ; Geo.  De  Spam,  Tyler. 

Morrisonville  Lodge  No.  459,  I.  O.  O.  F.,  instituted  July  26th, 
1871.  Chartered  Oct.  10th,  1871. 

First  Officers. — Lewis  Puckett,  N.  G- ; James  Miller,  A^.  G. ; M. 
F.  Cheney,  Sec. ; E.  P.  Tilley,  Treas. 

Present  Officers. — E.  P.  Tilley,  N.  G. ; James  Miller,  A’’.  G. ; A. 
AA'.  Aliller,  Sec. ; D.  F.  Murry,  Treas. 

Werner  Lodge,  No.  497,  I.  O.  O.  F.,  was  chartered  Oct-  8,  1872. 
Number  of  charter  members,  ten. 

First  Officers. — J.  Ring,  N.  G.  ; E.  Klugchnle,  V.  G ; M. 
Sternberg,  Treas.  ; L.  Banschbach,  Sec. 

Present  Officers. — AA^m.  Klusmann,  N.  G. ; J.  B.  Sager,  G. ; 
Fred  Sandhagen,  Treas. ; L.  Banschbach,  Sec. 

Ancient  Order  United  Workmen,  Star  Lodge,  No.  44,  was  char- 
tered Feb.  16th,  1877.  Charter  members  numbered  sixteen. 

First  Officers. — A.  AV.  Miller,  P.  M.  AV. ; John  AVatson,  Jr.,  M. 
AV. ; J M.  Pence,  G.  F. ; Frank  N.  Haven,  O.  ; AAC  S.  AVarren, 
Rec. ; H.  P.  Lentz,  F. ; J B.  AValker,  Rec. ; J.  AV.  Campbell, 
Guide;  F.  Sandhagen,  I.  AV. ; A.  M.  Young,  O.  AV. 

Present  Officers. — F.  N.  Haven,  P.  M.  AV. ; C.  G.  Koown,  M.  AV. ; 
Ed.  Charlson,  G.  F. ; A.  AV.  Miller,  O;  J.  B.  AValker,  Rec.;  J. 
AV.  Campbell,  F. ; A.  M.  Young,  Rec. ; E S.  Little,  Guide;  G.  A. 
Vandeveer,  I.  AA''. ; J.  AV. ; J.  Shake,  O.  AV. ; J.  AV.  Campbell,  Rep. 

The  financial  interests  are  of  fair  proportions,  as  may  be  inferred 
from  the  fact  that  upward  of  $200,000  worth  of  merchandize  is  an- 
nually sold  by  retail  alone,  with  an  annual  sale  of  from  50,000  to 
60,000  feet  of  lumber;  and  from  700,000  to  800,000  bushels  of 
grain  is  received  yearly,  and  either  manufactured  into  flour  here, 
or  shipped  to  distant  markets,  together  with  a large  amount  of 
stock,  worth,  perhaps,  $60,000,  making,  in  the  aggregate,  annually, 
a large  sum  of  money  that  is  employed  in  the  tran.saction  of  busine.ss. 

s(Tiooi.a. 

Early  attention  was  given  to  educational  facilities.  Under  town- 
ship organization,  a neat  frame  school-hou.se  was  built  May  1,  1870. 
It  was  used  also  as  a town  hall  and  for  church  purposes.  To  avoid 
(lis])Utes  and  uni)lcasant  feelings,  and  to  keep  the  j)cacc,  the  directors 
a.ssigncd  a special  Sabbath  to  each  denomination.  Mi.ss  Gertrude 
Pence  wa.s  the  first  teacher  em])Ioyed  by  tlie  district  to  occupy  it. 
As  the  town  increiused  in  ])opulation  the  erection  of  a larger  house 
became  necessary.  In  1874,  tlie.  board  of  directors  met  and 
<lecided  on  tlie  cost  and  jilan  ofa  building,  which  was  soon  erected. 
It  is  a brick  structure,  40x50  feet  in  size,  two  stories  high,  and  con- 
tains suitable  rooms  for  three  de|)artmcnts.  It  was  comiileted  at  a 
cost  of  $l*b00(). 

'fhe  building  is  an  ornament  to  the  place  and  speaks  well  for  the 
eiiterpri.se  of  the  people  and  the  interest  they  exhibit  in  iiopular 
education. 

rnuKCHES. 

Mr.  A'an  Eminon,  a Dunkard,  has  the  credit  of  preaching  the 
first  sermon  in  Morri.sonville,  ,AIay  22,  1870,  in  the  first  achool- 
liou.se,  soon  after  its  completion. 


The  Presbyterian  church  was  the  first  organized  in  the  town. 
The  society  made  out  a list  of  names  of  those  desiring  to  unite  in 
the  formation  of  a church.  Sept.  1,  1870,  and  it  was  presented  to 
the  Presbytery,  at  Matoon,  111.  On  the  4th  of  October  in  the 
.same  year  it  received  favorable  action,  and  Rev.  AV.  Maynard 
and  Elder  C.  Goudy,  were  appointed  a committee  to  visit  and 
complete  the  organization,  which  they  did  January  15, 1871.  Rev. 
E.  P.  Rankin,  became  the  first  resident  pastor. 

The  Presbyterian  church  was  the  first  erected  in  Morrisonville, 
on  ground  presented  by  Col  Morrison.  The  ground  was  first 
broken,  early  in  October,  1871.  The  enclosure  was  completed  in 
the  following  December,  but  the  plastering  was  not  done  till  the 
spring  of  1872.  The  building  was  completed  at  a cost  of  $10,000. 
The  house  was  dedicated  July  14,  1872.  The  sermon  was  delivered 
by  Rev.  L.  F.  Root,  then  at  Shelbyville,  111.  It  is  a large  hand- 
some structure  of  the  gothic  type,  with  steeple. 

The  first  Sunday  school  was  organized  in  the  school-house,  July 
10,  1870,  at  nine  o’clock,  A.  IM. 

It  was  re-organized  August  7,  1870,  with  forty-seven  scholars 
and  seven  teachers,  as  the  Union  Sabbath  School,  composed  of  all 
denominations,  with  Alebane  Anderson,  as  Superintendent,  and 
AA’^illiam  Anderson,  Librarian  and  Treasurer.  It  was  moved  into 
the  new  Presbyterian  church  July  28,  1872. 

The  Catholic  church  was  erected  in  1872,  at  a cost  of  $4,000.  It 
is  a large  frame  building,  and  has  a parsonage  in  connection. 

The  Cumberland  Presbyterian  church  was  built  in  1873.  It  is  a 
frame  building,  rather  small,  and  is  also  used  by  other  denomina- 
tions. 

There  is  now'  in  course  of  erection  a Methodist  Episcopal  church, 
which  will  be  completed  this  year. 

INCORPORATION. 

The  town  was  incorporated  under  the  general  city  and  village 
law  in  May  1872.  The  first  board  of  Trustees  consisted  of  the 
following  named  persons: — C.  M.  Leiberman,  Dr.  C.  Voorhees,  AA’’. 
T.  Ricks,  E.  f$.  Shull  and  J.  T.  Hall ; with  Dr.  Silas  Irion  as  Po- 
lice Magistrate. 

The  present  board  of  Trustees  are: — J.  AV.  Campbell,  J.  T.  Hall, 
J.  L.  Terrell,  G.  A.  A’^andeveer,  Jos.  Sanford  and  J.  D.  Offlighter. 

The  streets  are  kejit  in  a fair  condition,  and  good  plank  walks  are 
laid  on  all  the  principal  ones.  A large  number  of  shade  and  orna- 
mental trees  have  been  jilanted,  and  in  a few'  years  they  will  gi'eatly 
aid  in  enhancing  the  beauty  of  the  town. 

FINALE. 

In  this  brief  record  of  Morrisonville  there  is  but  little  to  regret, 
and  much  to  awaken  a just  pride.  On  all  the  stirring  questions  of 
her  time  she  has  occupied  advanced  ground  in  the  van  of  progress. 
1 ler  peo)>le  were  early  friends  of  the  Temperance  cause ; and  zealous 
advocates  of  education  and  religion  from  the  start.  Knowing  that 
good  .society  is  the  outgrowth  of  a sound  morality  as  taught  in  the 
church,  she  established  churches,  and  liberally  maintained  them. 
Conscious  that  the  sum  of  human  hapi)iness  is  increased  by  culture, 
she  early  established  schools,  and  has  generously  sustained  them. 
Believing  that  ])rosperity  is  the  reward  of  enterprise,  .she  has  evinced 
a stirring  activity  in  the  i)ursnits  of  the  various  industries,  and  has 
prospered.  I'eeling  that  a manly  independence  is  what  makes  the 
free  man,  her  peojile  have  carved  their  own  way,  and  are  not  j)lace- 
seekers.  Realizing  that  worth  makes  the  man,  her  peojile  do  no 
liomage  to  place  or  station  and  court  no  man  for  patronage.  Her 
history  is  not  yet  made ; the  first  ten  years  of  her  existence  was  lay- 
ing the  groundwork,  from  which  history  is  hereafter  to  be  con- 
structed. 


Libruy 

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Farm  and  Pesidcnce  of  THOS.M  ONE&AN,  Sec,  12,  Ricks  Tq,wnship.  {I I) Ran&e3, Christian  Co.,Iu. 


ASH  GROVE,  Stocf  Farm  o‘  J S.CRAIQ,  ESQ.  Sec.  26  Picks  Township,  ( I IJ  R.3.W.  Christian  Co., III. 

NEAR  NIOHHISONVILLL. 


BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCPIES. 


E.  S.  SHULL. 

Mr.  Shull,  one  of  the  leading  business  men  of  Morrisonville,  was 
born  at  Steubenville,  Ohio,  on  the  3d  of  April,  1838.  When  be 
was  ten  years  old  bis  father  died,  and  be  was  then  a[)prenticed  to  a 
farmer  in  Columbiana  County,  Ohio,  and  lived  with  him  until  be 
was  sixteen  years  old.  He  afterward  worked  on  a farm  for  two 
summers  at  nine  dollars  a month  wages,  and  in  the  winter  went  to 
school.  When  eighteen,  be  attended  the  bigb-scbool  at  Xew  Lisbon, 
Ohio.  Having  thus  by  bis  own  efforts  secured  a substantial  Eng- 
lish education,  in  the  fall  of  1857,  he  took  charge  of  a school  in 
Columbiana  county.  He  was  engaged  in  teaching  till  the  spring  of 
1859.  Considerable  excitement  arose  that  year  about  the  discovery 
of  gold  at  Pike’s  Peak,  and  Mr.  Shull,  in  company  with  three  other 
young  men,  left  Columbiana  county,  Ohio,  in  March,  1857,  for 
Colorado.  The  party  traveled  by  steamer  down  the  Ohio  and  ujj 
the  Mississippi  and  Missouri  rivers  to  Leavenworth,  Kansas.  At  this 
point  they  bought  two  ponies,  on  which  they  packed  the  necessary 
outfit  for  cooking  and  camping  out,  and  set  out  across  the  plains 
for  Denver.  A month  was  occupied  in  making  this  journey  of 
about  six  hundred  miles.  The  whole  distance  was  made  on  foot. 
On  their  arrival  they  found  Denver  filled  with  a multitude  of  for- 
tune seekers  and  gold  diggers,  like  themselves,  without  any  capital, 
all  of  them  anxious  to  get  back  to  tbe  states  once  more,  and  many 
of  them  totally  without  the  means  of  making  the  journey.  After 
a stay  of  two  weeks  in  Denver,  Mr.  Shull  and  his  comrades  con- 
cluded to  return.  In  company  with  two  others  he  made  a skiff, 
laid  in  provisions,  and  launched  it  on  the  Platte  river,  and  in  less 
than  two  weeks  reached  Brownsville,  Nebraska.  The  whole  dis- 
tance was  in  the  neighborhood  of  a thousand  miles.  Indians  and 
buffalo  were  the  only  objects  at  that  time  discernible  on  the  banks 
of  the  Platte.  From  Brownsville  he  took  passage  by  boat  to  St. 
Louis. 

His  comrades  returned  to  Ohio,  but  Mr.  Shull,  unwilling  to  go 
back  after  such  a disastrous  ending  to  the  Pike’s  Peak  expedition, 
concluded  to  come  to  Illinois.  At  that  time  he  was  unacquainted 
with  a single  person  in  this  state,  and  had  only  sixteen  dollars  in 
money.  He  first  went  to  Sangamon  county,  where  he  worked  on  a 
farm  for  a few  months,  and  in  the  winter  of  1859-60  taught  school. 
He  spent  about  eleven  years  in  the  southern  part  of  Sangamon,  and 
in  the  northern  part  of  Macoupin  county,  mostly  engaged  in  teach- 
ing school.  On  the  30th  of  September,  1864,  he  was  married  at 
Springfield,  by  Judge  N.  M.  Broadwell,  to  Martha  E.  Summer.  She 
was  born  in  Morgan  county,  but  raised  mostly  in  Sangamon,  and 
her  father,  Michael  Summer,  was  an  old  resident  of  that  part  of  the 
state. 

He  came  to  Morrisonville  on  the  26th  of  July,  1870,  and  began 
the  lumber  business.  The  Wabash  railway  had  at  that  time  just 
been  completed  through  the  county,  and  the  town  of  INIorrisonville 
had  been  started  a few  months  previously.  The  vacant  land  in 


that  part  of  the  county  settled  up  rapidly,  and  the  improvements 
made  necessary  the  use  of  large  quantities  of  lumber.  He  was  first 
in  partnership  with  Mr.  G M.  Chedester,  of  Virden,  but  since 
January,  1873,  has  carried  on  business  for  himself,  and  without  a 
competitor.  He  has  been  closely  connected  with  the  business  in- 
terests of  Morrisonville.  He  is  a democrat  in  j^olitics.  He  was 
elected  supervisor  from  Ricks  township,  in  the  spring  of  1880.  He 
is  a total  abstainer  from  the  luse  of  intoxicating  drinks.  While  a 
member  of  no  religious  denomination,  he  has  liberally  contributed 
to  the  support  of  all,  and  has  gained  a reputation  as  an  enterpris- 
ing, liberal  and  honorable  business  man. 


J.  B.  WHITE. 

Mr.  White  is  a lawyer  by  profession,  and  for  a number  of  years 
was  prominently  connected  with  the  bar  at  Springfield.  He  was 
born  in  Greene  county,  Ohio,  on  the  5th  of  June,  1828.  His  an- 
cestors were  of  English  and  Scotch  origin,  and  came  to  America, 
and  settted  in  Maryland,  in  the  year  1750.  His  grandfather, 
Thomas  White,  was  too  young  to  take  part  in  the  Revolutionary 
War,  but  six  of  his  older  brothers  were  soldiers  in  the  colonial 
army.  His  grandfather  removed  from  IMaryland  to  Pennsylvania, 
and  in  the  year  1811,  emigrated  to  Greene  county,  Ohio,  in  which 
part  of  the  state  he  was  one  of  the  earliest  settlers 

The  subject  of  this  biography  was  the  third  of  a family  of  ten 
children  of  J.  B.  White  and  Hannah  Stevenson.  His  mother  was 
a native  of  Virginia.  The  part  of  Ohio  in  which  he  was  born  and 
raised,  was  one  of  the  most  fertile  and  populous  parts  of  the  state. 
His  father’s  farm  was  eight  miles  south  of  Dayton.  He  was 
raised  much  after  the  usual  fashion  of  farmers’  sons  at  that  day, 
attending  the  ordinary  district  schools,  and  afterward  an  academy. 
At  the  age  of  eighteen  he  took  charge  of  a school,  and  from  that 
time  till  after  he  had  attained  his  majority,  was  eni])loyed,  for  a 
considerable  part  of  his  time,  in  teaching.  He  had  formed  an 
early  resolution  to  study  law,  and  in  1850  entered  the  office  of 
Thomas  Moore,  one  of  the  most  popular  lawyers  of  Hamilton,  Ohio. 
He  attended  law  lectures  at  the  Cincinnati  Law  fcchool,  from  which 
he  graduated  in  1852 

He  had  already  resolved  to  practice  his  profession  in  the  West, 
and  in  April,  1853,  settled  at  Sj)ringfield,  Illinois.  On  his  arrival 
in  that  town,  he  found  himself  a total  stranger,  but  at  once  o[)ened 
an  office.  He  found  that  success  in  the  legal  ])rofession  was  ob- 
tained only  by  slow  steps,  and  by  constant  and  persistent  effort,  but 
he  gradually  succeeded  in  establishing  himself  in  a large  ])ractice. 
In  1867,  the  bar  of  the  18th  Judicial  District,  comprising  the 
counties  of  Sangamon,  Macoui)in,  INIontgomery  and  Christian,  united 
in  recommending  him  for  Prosecuting  Attorney.  He  was  elected 
to  this  office,  and  held  it  for  eight  years.  At  that  time  the  prose- 
cuting attorney  of  the  district  embracing  Springfield,  was  ex-officio 

207 


208 


HISTORY  OF  CHRISTIAN  COUNTY,  ILLINOIS. 


attorney  general  of  the  state,  thus  making  the  office  one  of  great 
care  and  responsihility.  He  occupied  this  position  during  the  ])c- 
riod  of  the  war,  when  its  duties  were  more  than  usually  burden- 
some and  important.  lie  had  become  the  owner  of  a section  of 
land  in  Ricks  township,  Christian  county,  and  becoming  interested 
in  its  improvement,  in  1867,  he  removed  from  Springfield,  quit  the 
practice  of  his  profession,  and  has  since  been  residing  in  this  county. 
His  wife  was  iMiss  M.  J.  Mills,  by  whom  he  has  two  children.  He 
is  a man  of  liberal  and  ])rogressive  ideas.  In  politics  he  has 
always  been  a democrat,  but  has  never  taken  any  active  personal 
interest  in  politics,  nor  has  ever  been  a candidate  for  any  political 
office.  He  was  a member  of  the  Board  of  Supervisors  for  six  years, 
the  latter  two  of  which  he  was  chairman  of  the  Board. 


JOHX  C.  CONROY. 

Mr.  Conroy  has  been  farming  in  Ricks  township  since  I860. 
His  parents,  Henry  Conroy  and  Mary  Davis,  were  natives  of  the 
state  of  Vermont.  While  on  their  way  West,  they  stopped  for  a 
few  months  in  I’hiladelphia,  and  in  that  city  Mr.  Conroy’s  birth  oc- 
curred on  the  fourth  day  of  July,  1849.  The  following  December 
his  father  settled  in  Chicago,  where  Mr.  Conroy  was  brought  up. 
He  received  his  education  in  the  ])ublic  schools  of  Chicago,  and 
at  Bryant  tt  Stratton’s  Commercial  College.  He  also  spent  a 
couple  of  winters  at  the  Union  High  School,  at  Battle  Creek,  Michi- 
gan. At  the  age  of  thirteen  he  began  life  on  his  own  account,  travel- 
ing in  the  summer  through  Michigan  in  the  interests  of  a wholc.sale 
grocery  house  in  Chicago.  He  followed  this  busine.ss  till  1868.  On 
the  twelfth  day  of  March,  1868,  he  married  Mary  A.  Chance^ 
daughter  of  Charles  and  Elizabeth  Chance,  who  resided  in  Macon, 
pin  county,  near  Shipman,  and  were  both  natives  of  Jersey  county. 
Mr.  Conroy’s  health  was,  at  that  time,  so  impaired  that  he  con- 
cluded to  go  to  farming.  He  lived  one  year  in  Macoupin  county. 
In  February,  1869,  he  bought  eighty  acres  of  land  in  section  thirty- 
four  of  Ricks  township,  on  which  he  settled.  He  is  now  the  owner 
of  125  acres,  45  of  which  are  in  Montgomery  county.  When  he 
first  undertook  farming  his  weight,  on  account  of  bad  health,  was 
greatly  reduced,  but  exercise  in  the  open  air  has  fully  restored  him 
to  his  former  vigor.  On  the  fifteenth  of  August,  1879,  his  wife 
died,  leaving  him  four  children,  Charles  II.,  John  W.,  Ella  May  and 
Lizzie.  lie  is  a democrat  in  politics. 


HON.  W.  E.  MORRISON. 

'riiK  Morri.son  family  is  one  of  the  oldest  in  the  state.  Robert 
Morrison,  the  grandfather  of  Mr.  Morrison,  came  from  I’hiladelphia 
about  the  year  1792,  and  settled  in  Kaskaskia,  which  at  that  time 
was  a village  composed  almost  entirely  of  French  inhabitants,  and 
which,  in  tlie  early  history  of  Illinois,  was  the  commercial  metrojK)- 
lis  of  the  Mi.ssi.ssippi  valley,  outranking  St.  Ijouis  and  New  Orleans 
as  a ])lacc  of  importance.  The  Morri.sons  at  Kaskaskia  were  the 
leaders  in  commercial  enter])riscs,  and  among  the  most  influential 
and  sagacious  men  in  the  lichls  of  business  and  politics  in  the  then 
territory  of  Illinois.  Robert  Morrison  married  Eliza  L.  Lowry, 
daughter  of  Col.  Lowry,  of  Baltimore,  and  sister  of  James  Lowry 
I fonald.son,  one  of  tlie  S[)anish  land  commissioners,  with  whom  she 
came  to  Illinois  in  1805.  She  was  of  Irish  de.scent.  .lames  Lowry 
Donaldson  was  killed  at  the  battle  of  North  Point,  in  the  war  of 
1812,  and  a monument  to  his  memory  now  stands  in  Monumental 
S(juare,  in  the  city  of  Baltimore. 

.lames  Lowry  Donald.son  Morrison,  the  father  of  the  subject  of 
this  sketch,  wa.s  born  at  Kmskaskia  on  the  12th  of  April,  1816.  At 


one  time  his  father,  Robert  Morrison,  was  one  of  the  largest  mail 
contractors  in  Illinois,  and  had  charge  of  the  routes  extending  from 
Kaskaskia  to  ShawueetOAvn,  Cairo,  Yandalia,  Cape  Girardeau,  and 
other  points.  He  received  his  pay  by  drafts  on  the  various  offices, 
and  it  was  Col.  ^Morrison’s  duty,  when  a boy.  to  travel  to  these 
various  points  and  collect  these  drafts.  In  the  spring  of  1832,  when 
sixteen,  he  was  appointed  midshipman  in  the  United  States  navy. 
His  first  cruise  was  to  the  Pacific,  on  board  the  sloop  of  war,  “Fair- 
field,”  and  it  lasted  twenty-seven  months.  He  w’as  afterward  trans- 
ferred to  the  West  India  squadron,  and  was  confined  for  eight 
months  in  the  naval  hospital  at  Pensacola,  with  an  attack  of  rheu- 
matism, brought  on  by  exposure.  It  was  there  that  he  began  the 
study  of  law.  He  picked  uj)  the  first  volume  of  Blackstone  to  pass 
away  the  time,  and,  becoming  interested,  sent  to  Mobile  for  Black- 
stone  and  Kent,  which  for  seven  months  he  studied  thoroughly. 
He  returned  to  Illinois,  and  in  1836  entered  the  law  office  of  .ludjre 
Pope,  and  in  about  a year  afterward  w'as  admitted  to  the  bar.  His 
first  fee  of  a hundred  dollars  he  earned  by  quashing  an  indictment 
for  murder  in  Jackson  county,  Illinois.  He  took  a prominent  part 
on  the  whig  side  in  the  campaign  of  1840.  The  whigs  made  him 
their  candidate  for  Lieutenant-Governor.  At  the  beginning  of  the 
JMexican  war  he  raised  in  St.  Clair  county  the  first  company  of  vol- 
unteers organized  in  the  state.  This  company  subsequently  became 
incorporated  with  the  Second  Illinois  regiment,  of  which  he  was 
chosen  Lieutenant-Colonel.  At  Buena  Vista  this  regiment  lost 
thirteen  commissioned  officers  and  ninety  men.  At  the  close  of  the 
war  the  legislature  of  Illinois  presented  Col.  Morrison  with  a sword, 
suitably  inscribed,  in  recognition  of  his  services  in  the  field.  On 
returning  from  the  army  he  devoted  his  attention  to  the  law  and 
investments  in  land.  On  the  dissolution  of  the  whig  party  he 
became  a democrat.  He  represented  St.  Clair  county  in  the  lower 
house  of  the  legislature,  and  St.  Clair  and  Monroe  in  the  senate, 
and  was  elected  to  Congress.  Since  his  removal  from  Belleville  to 
St.  Louis,  his  law  practice  has  been  confined  mostly  to  large  land 
cases  of  his  own  in  the  supreme  court  of  the  United  States.  In 
1842  he  married  Mary  A.  Carlin,  daughter  of  Ex-Gov.  Thomas  A. 
Carlin.  She  was  the  mother  of  the  subject  of  this  biography. 

William  Edward  Morrison  was  born  at  Belleville,  Illinois,  on  the 
13th  of  April,  1846.  He  was  the  next  to  the  oldest  child.'  At  the 
time  of  his  birth  his  father  was  absent  in  Mexico,  the  Mexican  war 
then  being  in  progress.  His  boyhood  was  spent  mostly  at  Belleville. 
The  chief  part  of  his  education  was  obtained  at  the  college  of  the 
Christian  Brothers,  in  St.  Louis.  In  1862,  when  sixteen,  he  entered 
the  Ignited  States  army  as  midshipman.  This  was  during  the  war 
of  the  rebellion.  His  first  service  was  on  board  the  “Constitu- 
tion,” originally  the  “ Old  Ironsides.”  He  was  at  .sea  about  two 
years.  At  the  request  of  his  father,  who  wished  him  to  enter  the 
legal  profession,  he  resigned  from  the  navy  on  the  16th  of  February, 

1866.  He  returned  to  Belleville,  and  entered  the  law  office  of  Wil- 
liam 11.  Snyder,  now  judge  of  the  judicial  circuit  in  which  St.Clair 
county  is  included.  After  spending  about  two  years  in  Judge  Sny- 
der’s office,  he  wius  examined  by  a committee  appointed  by  the 
supreme  court,  who  j)ronounced  him  qualified  for  the  practice  of  the 
profession.  At  the  time  of  his  examination  he  was  under  twenty- 
one  years  of  age,  and  according  to  the  statutory  regulations  could 
not  take  the  oath  until  he  had  attained  his  majority.  He  was  ad- 
mitted to  the  bar  on  his  twenty-first  birthday,  the  13th  of  April, 

1867.  The  fall  succeeding  his  admi.s.sion  he  began  the  j)ractice  of 
his  [)rofe.ssion  at  Springfield,  lie  was  first  in  the  office  of  Stuart, 
Edwards  tSt  Brown,  and  afterward  in  that  of  McClernand,  Broad- 
well  A Springer.  He  resided  in  Springfield  till  jMay,  1871. 

He  had  always  taken  an  active  interest  in  politics,  and  from  hoy- 


Farm  Res. of  HON,  W.  E . MORRISON,  Mohrisonviub.  Sf.c.6,RicksTp.JjiJR.3.W.Christi/\nCo..Ill. 


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HISTORY  OF  CHRISTIAN  COUNTY,  ILLINOIS. 


209 


hood  was  a democrat  of  a stanch  and  steadfast  type.  During  the 
campaign  of  1868,  in  which  Seymour  was  the  democratic  candidate 
for  president,  in  opposition  to  Grant,  at  the  re<piest  of  the  state 
central  committee  he  made  the  canvass  of  Peoria,  Fulton,  Sauira- 
mou,  Christian,  De  Witt,  Scott  and  Menard  counties,  in  the  inter- 
ests of  the  democratic  candidates.  He  had  inherited  a natural 
taste  for  oratory,  and  the  speeches  of  young  Morrison  were  received 
with  popular  favor. 

The  farm  on  which  he  now  resides,  near  Morri.sonville,  he  first 
saw  on  the  9th  of  October,  1867.  It  was  then  covered  with  tall 
prairie  grass.  The  railroad  had  not  yet  been  built.  He  came  to 
Christian  county  in  May,  1871,  for  the  purpose  of  improving  this 
tract  of  land.  The  Wabash  railway  had  been  constructed  the  pre- 
vious year,  and  the  town  of  Morrisonville,  which  took  its  name 
from  Mr.  Morrison’s  father,  founded.  In  the  summer  of  1871  he 
began  building  his  present  residence,  half  a mile  north  of  Morrison- 
ville. Mr.  Morrison  has  since  been  closely  identified  with  the 
interests  of  Christian  county.  He  has  been  an  influential  man  in 
shaping  the  policy  of  the  democratic  party  in  this  part  of  the  state. 
In  1876  he  received  the  democratic  nomination  for  representative 
in  the  legislature  from  the  thirty-fourth  senatorial  district,  compris- 
ing Christian  and  Montgomery  counties.  The  democrats  of  the  dis- 
trict supported  him  with  great  unanimity  and  enthusiasm,  and  he 
was  elected  by  a majority  of  several  hundred  votes  in  excess  of  that 
received  by  the  general  ticket.  ()n  taking  his  seat,  he  was  the  next 
to  the  youngest  man  in  the  house.  The  house  was  republican  by  a 
small  majority,  except  when  the  democrats  and  independents  united 
in  opposition.  During  this  session  occurred  the  memorable  contest 
which  resulted  in  the  election  of  David  Davis  as  United  States  sen- 
ator. Mr.  Morrison  recorded  his  vote  on  every  ballot  against  Gen. 
Logan,  the  republican  candidate,  and  in  the  democratic  caucus  was 
one  of  the  first  to  advocate  the  throwing  of  the  democratic  strength 
in  favor  of  Davis,  a movement  which  resulted  in  Davis’  election, 
and  the  defeat  of  a regular  republican.  He  was  a member  of  the 
committee  on  railroads,  and  strongly  opposed  a measure  introduced 
in  the  interest  of  the  railroads,  with  the  object  of  relieving  their 
capital  stock  from  taxation.  He  made  a speech  in  favor  of  a uni- 
form system  of  school  books  throughout  the  state,  a measure  which 
would  have  saved  the  people  much  money.  He  also  supported  a 
measure  to  allow  the  Chicago  Board  of  Trade  to  appoint  their  own 
inspector  of  grain.  In  March,  1877,  a resolution  was  introduced 
to  appropriate  fifty  thousand  dollars  for  the  completion  of  the  Doug- 
las monument.  On  coming  up  for  passage,  it  was  opposed  by  Mer- 
ritt, of  Marion,  in  a bitter  speech,  in  which  he  attacked  Douglas 
in  the  most  vindictive  manner.  After  Mendtt  took  his  seat,  Mr. 
Morrison  as  soon  as  possible  gained  the  floor,  and  delivered  in  favor 
of  the  bill  a speech  which  was  greeted  wdth  tremendous  applause, 
and  w'hich  was  afterward  conceded  to  be  one  of  the  finest  oratorical 
eflbrts  ever  made  in  the  house.  Though  made  on  the  spur  of  the 
moment,  and  without  preparation,  its  power  and  eloquence  won  for 
the  member  from  Christian  a reputation  as  one  of  the  best  speakers 
in  the  legislature.  The  Springfield  Journal  said  that  the  speech 
was  one  of  impassioned  eloquence,  and  was  heartily  applauded.” 
The  Monitor  said  that  the  member  from  Christian  had  shown  that 
he  had  “ every  requisite  for  the  making  of  a great  orator  and  states- 
man, and  possessed  ability  and  talent  that  would  eventually  seek  a 
lofty  outlet.”  The  Chicago  Inter- Ocean  declared  it  to  be  “ the  most 
successful  speech  yet  delivered  on  any  question.  In  acknowledg- 
ment of  his  speech  in  support  of  the  Douglas  monument,  several 
members  of  the  legislature,  merchants  in  Chicago,  and  Leonard 
Volk,  the  sculptor,  united  in  presenting  him  w’ith  a suitable  memo- 
rial, in  the  shape  of  a statue  of  Douglas. 

27 


Mr.  Morrison  is  e.ssentially  a democrat.  He  is  not  only  a strong 
and  ardent  supporter  of  the  time-honored  princi2)les  of  democracy, 
but  the  natural  tendencies  of  his  mind  are  opposed  to  everything 
in  the  nature  of  aristocracy  and  monojioly. 

Hs  was  married  on  the  20th  of  October,  1869,  to  Annie  C.  Per- 
kins, a native  of  Springfield,  and  daughter  of  Joseph  B.  Perkins, 
an  old  resident  of  Sangamon  county.  Her  death  occurred  on  the 
20th  of  March,  1874,  leaving  him  one  child,  James  L.  D.  Mor- 
rison, jr. 


EUGENE  M.  MORRISON, 

Who  has  been  a resident  of  Christian  county  since  October,  1877, 
was  born  at  Belleville,  St  Clair  county  this  state,  on  the  first  day 
of  January,  1849.  Few  families  have  been  more  intimately  identi- 
fied with  the  history  of  Illinois  than  the  one  with  which  INIr.  Mor- 
rison is  connected.  Nearly  a century  ago  the  INIorrisons  came  from 
Pennsylvania  to  Kaskaskia,  then  the  largest  and  most  important 
settlement  in  the  Mississippi  Valley,  and  at  once  took  rank  among 
the  leading  men  who  gave  the  first  imjjetus  to  the  growth  of  the 
mighty  empire  which  now  has  its  seat  in  the  states  which  border 
the  Mississijipi.  His  grandfather  was  Robert  Morrison.  His 
grandmother  was  Eliza  L.  Lowry,  who  made  on  horseback  the 
dangerous  and  adventurous  journey  through  the  wilderness  from 
Baltimore  to  Kaskaskia  in  the  year  1805.  His  father.  Col.  J.  L. 
D.  Morrison,  is  a man  already  well  known  to  the  jjeople  of  Illinois. 
Born  at  Kaskaskia  in  the  year  1816,  his  boyhood  made  him  fa- 
miliar with  the  incidents  which  marked  the  history  of  Illinois 
during  the  few  years  after  its  admission  into  the  Union  as  a state. 
Entering  the  United  States  Navy  as  midshipman  at  the  age  of  six- 
teen, he  cruised  on  the  Pacific,  and  while  sick  in  the  Naval  Hospital 
at  Pensacola  began  the  study  of  law.  Returning  to  Illinois  he  was 
admitted  to  the  bar  and  became  one  of  the  leading  lawyers  of  the 
state.  Gn  the  breaking  out  of  the  war  with  Mexico  he  raised  a 
company  of  volunteers  in  St.  Clair  county,  which  became  j)art  of 
the  Second  Illinois  regiment,  of  which  he  w'as  made  Lieutenant 
Colonel.  On  the  field  of  Buena  Vista  this  regiment  distinguished 
itself  by  its  bravery,  and  on  his  return  the  Legislature  of  Illinois 
jjresented  Col.  Morri.son  with  a sword  in  acknowledgment  of  his 
services.  He  represented  St.  Clair  county  in  the  State  Senate  and 
in  the  lower  house  of  the  Legislature,  and  was  elected  a member  of 
Congress.  Of  late  years  his  home  has  been  in  St.  Louis,  but  his 
numerous  visits  have  made  his  fiice  familiar  to  the  people  of  this 
county.  Mary  A.  Carlin,  daughter  of  Thomas  A.  Carlin,  at  one 
time  Governor  of  Illinois,  was  Col.  INIorrison’s  first  wife  and  the 
mother  of  Eugene  M.  Morrison. 

Mr.  Morrison’s  boyhood  was  spent  mostly  in  the  vicinity  of  Belle- 
ville. When  he  was  six  years  old  he  was  sent  to  the  College  of  the 
Christian  Brothers  in  St.  Louis,  which  school  he  attended  for  about 
six  years.  For  one  term  he  was  a student  at  McKendree  College 
at  Lebanon.  He  was  next  sent  to  Georgetown  College  in  the  Dis- 
trict of  Columbia,  where  he  remained  two  years.  He  was  at  George- 
town during  1864  and  1865,  the  closing  years  of  the  war  of  the  Re- 
bellion. Washington  w’as  at  that  time  the  scene  of  many  important 
events,  which  made  a residence  in  its  neighborhood  memorable.  The 
years  1866  and  1867  were  spent  at  the  St.  Louis  University,  from 
Avhich  he  graduated  in  the  summer  of  1867.  During  part  of  the 
years  1868  and  1869  he  was  in  Euro2)e  with  his  father.  In  Novem- 
ber, 1869,  he  went  to  Bloomington  and  entered  the  law  office  of 
Robert  E.  Williams,  at  one  time  Attorney  General  of  Illinois.  He 
read  law  Avith  him  fourteen  months,  and  then  returned  to  Belleville. 
In  the  summer  of  1871  he  visited  Louisiana.  On  the  twenty-first 


210 


HISTORY  OF  CHRISTIAN  COUNTY,  ILLINOIS. 


(lav  of  November  of  the  same  year  he  married  jNIiss  Olivia  A.  Eason, 
of  Port  Jefferson,  Louisiana.  j\Irs.  Morrison  was  born  in  East 
Feliciana  parish,  Louisiana.  Her  father  was  Col.  C.  W.  Eason,  a 
native  of  South  Carolina,  but  an  old  resident  of  the  state  of  Louisi- 
ana. He  had  taken  part  in  the  war  with  Mexico.  After  his  mar- 
riage iVIr.  Morrison  resided  in  Louisiana  till  1877,  when  he  returned 
to  Illinois  and  became  a resident  of  this  county.  He  settled  on 
section  nine  of  Ricks  township.  His  residence  is  three-c^u aiders  of 
a mile  east  of  the  town  of  Morrisonville,  which  was  named  in  honor 
of  Mr.  Morrison’s  father.  The  farm  under  his  care  embraces  a whole 
section  of  land,  of  which  about  five  hundred  acres  have  been  im- 
proved. A full  page  illustration  of  his  residence  and  its  surround- 
ings may  be  seen  elsewhere.  He  has  two  children — Mary  Adele 
and  Alma  Eugenia.  He  has  never  taken  part  in  juiblic  life,  but  in 
his  political  belief  is  a member  of  the  democratic  party. 


THOMAS  MONEGAN. 

The  city  of  Enniskillen,  in  the  county  Fermanagh,  Ireland,  was 
the  birth-place  of  Mr.  Monegan.  He  was  born  on  the  30th  of 
August,  1838.  In  the  fall  of  1846  his  parents,  Henry  and  Catha- 
rine Monegan„  emigrated  with  the  family  to  America.  After  a 
voyage  of  three  months  in  the  sailing  vessel,  “ Ashland,”  the  family 
landed  at  New  Orleans,  where  they  remained  till  the  spring  of  1847, 
and  then  came  up  the  Mississippi  to  Alton.  His  father  rented  land 
in  the  Dorsey  settlement,  in  the  northern  part  of  Madison  county, 
and  lived  there  till  1850,  then  removing  to  the  vicinity  of  Bunker 
Hill,  in  Macoupin  county.  The  fir.«t  land  which  his  father  owned 
was  a farm  in  the  north-west  corner  of  Bunker  Hill  township, 
where  the  family  lived  till  1802,  and  then  came  to  Christian  county. 
The  greater  part  of  Mr.  Monegan’s  common  school  education  was 
obtained  at  the  little  town  of  Woodburn,  in  Macoupin  county.  In 
September,  1858,  he  entered  Illinois  College,  at  Jacksonville,  and 
attended  the  .sessions  of  that  institution  during  the  winters  of  1858- 
59  and  1859-60.  In  the  year  1865,  in  partnership  with  his  brother 
AVilliam,  he  bought  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres  of  land,  the  south- 
west (juarter  of  section  twelve  of  Ricks  township.  The  two  brothers 
carried  on  the  farm  togetlier,  and  increased  the  amount  of  their 
land  to  eight  luindred  acres.  A division  of  tlieir  property  was 
made  in  1871,  and  he  and  his  lirothor  liave  since  lieen  living  on 
adjoining  farms.  He  was  married  on  tlic  22d  of  September,  1870, 
to  Clara  A.  Estabrook,  daughter  of  James  W.  and  Susan  Estabrook. 
She  was  l)orn  in  Madi.son  county,  in  this  state,  and  came  to  Cliris- 
tian  comity  with  lier  father  in  1866.  Mr.  and  IMrs.  Monegan  have 
four  children.  A view  of  his  residence  in  Kicks  township  is  shown 
elsewhere.  He  owns  three  hundred  and  sixty  acres  of  land.  He 
has  always  been  a democrat  in  jiolitics.  His  father  died  on  the 
22(1  of  January,  1879,  in  Ricks  township,  at  the  age  of  nearly 
seventy;  his  mother  is  still  living.  Beside  his  brother  and  him- 
self, one  sister,  Jane,  now  the  wife  of  William  Craig,  of  Greenwood 
township,  is  living  in  this  county. 


WILLI  A. M S.  KANDLE. 

Tin;  history  of  the  Kandle  family  in  America,  dates  back  to 
three  brothers,  who  came  over  from  England  in  the  Mayflower,  in 
1620.  Krom  one  of  these  brothers  the  subject  of  this  .‘(ketch  is  de- 
scended. His  grandfather,  Isom  Kandle,  became  a resident  of 
North  Carolina,  and  served  in  the  Kevolutionary  war  with  the 
rank  of  major.  Mr.  Kandlc’s  father,  Josiah  Kandle,  was  born  in 
North  Carolina,  and  there  married  Hannah  romjikins.  She  was 
the  (laughter  of  Kichard  Tompkins,  who  was  also  one  of  the  brave 


men  who  took  part  in  the  struggle  of  the  colonies  for  their  independ- 
ence. He  held  a colonel’s  commission,  and  fought  through  the 
whole  seven  years  of  the  war.  Josiah  and  Hannah  Randle  were 
the  parents  of  eleven  children,  five  of  whom  were  sons,  and  six 
daughters.  At  this  date  four  daughters  and  two  sons  are  still 
living.  William  S.  Randle  was  the  youngest  son,  and  the  next  to 
the  youngest  child,  and  was  born  in  Montgomery  county.  North 
Carolina,  on  the  10th  of  May,  1827.  When  he  was  eight  years  old, 
in  the  year  1835,  his  father  moved  with  the  family,  to  Madison 
county,  in  this  state.  The  winter  of  1835-6  was  spent  at  Edwards- 
ville,  and  the  next  spring  the  family  moved  to  a farm,  three  or 
four  miles  south  of  that  town.  Josiah  Randle  afterwards  moved 
to  the  eastern  part  of  that  county,  and  died  in  August,  1858.  The 
subject  of  this  biography  had  only  ordinary  advantages  for  obtain- 
ing an  education.  He  attended  the  common  schools  and  endeav- 
ored to  improve  his  opportunities  to  the  best  of  his  ability,  but  still 
the  most  of  his  knowledge  has  been  gained  by  his  own  efforts.  On 
the  10th  day  of  May,  1849,  he  married  Sarah  Hausberger,  daughter 
of  Henry  Hausberger.  Her  father  was  a native  of  Virginia,  and 
settled  in  Madison  county,  in  the  year  1848.  Mrs.  Randle  was 
born  in  Trigg  county,  Kentucky. 

For  a number  of  years  previous  to  the  war,  Mr.  Randle  was 
quite  extensively  engaged  in  trading  in  stock.  During  the  rebel- 
lion, he  supplied  the  government  with  large  quantities  of  horses 
and  mules,  and  was  engaged  in  other  business  enterprises  of  a simi- 
lar character.  In  the  fall  of  1869,  he  moved  from  Madison  to 
Christian  county,  and  settled  on  his  present  farm,  on  section  3,  of 
Ricks  townshij).  He  and  his  wife  have  had  ten  children,  of  whom 
seven,  five  daughters  and  two  sons,  are  now  living.  Beside  farm- 
ing, he  has  been  engaged  to  some  extent  in  the  practice  of  law — a 
profession  with  which  he  first  became  familiar,  while  living  in 
Madison  county.  His  practice  of  the  legal  profession  has,  however, 
been  limited  to  the  time  he  has  had  to  spare  from  his  other  business. 
In  his  political  sympathies,  he  has  been  a democrat.  He  is  a man, 
however,  on  whom  party  ties  sit  lightly,  and  he  believes  that  the 
interests  of  the  country  arc  often  best  served,  by  voting  for  the 
best  man  for  office,  irrespective  of  party  affiliations.  On  another 
page  is  an  illustration  of  his  farm,  the  improvements  on  which  he 
has  built  since  his  residence  in  this  county. 


STEEN  BROTHERS 

(JEOIKiE  II.  STEEN  AND  .lOSEIUI  W.  STEEN. 

Amonc  the  business  men  who  have  more  recently  identified  them- 
selves with  the  interests  of  Christian  county,  are  iMessrs.  George  H. 
and  Joseph  W.  Steen,  who  are  engaged  in  the  drug  business  at 
Morrisonville,  and  are  the  editors  and  proprietors  of  the  Morrison- 
villc  Times.  They  are  natives  of  Tippecanoe  county,  Indiana. 
Their  grandfather,  George  Hamilton  Steen,  was  an  Irishman  by 
birth,  who  emigrati'd  from  Ireland  to  America  about  the  time  of  the 
Revolutionary  war.  In  his  religious  faith  he  was  a strong  Protes- 
tant. He  .settled  near  Lancaster,  Penn.sylvania,  and  for  several 
years  Avas  in  the  distilling  business,  an  occupation  which  at  that 
time  wa.s  considered  most  respectable  and  honorable.  The  family 
was  connected  with  the  Hamilton  family,  of  which  Alexander 
Hamilton  was  a distinguished  member,  and  the  name  Hamilton  has 
since  been  handed  down  successively  from  father  to  son  for  several 
generations. 

Their  father,  George  Hamilton  Steen,  was  born  in  Lancaster 
county,  Pennsylvania,  near  the  city  of  Lancaster,  in  the  year  1797. 

He  left  home  when  sixteen.  Ho  subsequently  came  to  Indiana^ 
and  entered  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres  of  land  in  Tippecanoe 


Farm  and  Hesi  den  cc  of  1/I/m,  S.  RANDLE,  F<  i cks  Jr, Sec.3.  Tow  n.I  I,  R.  3.  Christian  Co, la. 


Ti*  Ubrwi 

9\  the 


HISTORY  OF  CHRISTIAN  COUNTY,  ILLINOIS. 


211 


county  in  1828,  on  which  he  afterward  settled,  and  which  tvas  his 
home  till  the  time  of  his  death.  This  farm  which  was  located  in 
one  of  the  richest  sections  of  Indiana,  he  subsequently  increased  to 
three  hundred  and  twenty-eight  acres;  improved  it  with  great  care, 
and  erected  large  and  substantial  buildings.  In  May,  1835,  he 
married  Mary  Whitson.  She  was  about  fifteen  years  younger  than 
her  husband.  Her  father  was  John  Whitson,  who  was  of  Welsh 
descent,  and  (Quaker  parentage,  though  his  own  connection  with  the 
Friends’  denomination  had  been  severed  by  reason  of  his  having 
married  outside  the  membership  of  the  society.  The  father  of  the 
Messrs.  Steen  died  in  April,  1859.  He  was  a man  much  respected 
in  the  community  in  which  he  lived.  In  disposition  he  was  quiet 
and  reserved,  and  always  refused  to  hold  office  or  take  any  active 
part  in  public  affairs-  He  managed  his  farming  operations  and  his 
own  private  business  in  the  most  exact  and  methodical  manner,  and 
died  possessed  of  abundant  means-  He  was  kind-hearted,  and  be- 
side his  own  children  raised  several  boys.  Some  of  the  be.st  business 
men  now  of  Tippecanoe  county,  Indiana,  and  of  the  city  of  Lafay- 
ette, owe  their  successful  start  in  life  to  the  excellent  training  which 
they  received  at  his  hands.  In  his  politics  he  had  been  an  old  line 
whig,  and  at  the  time  of  his  death  was  a member  of  the  Presbyte- 
rian church.  He  had  twelve  children.  Several  died  in  infancy, 
and  five  are  now  living.  John  W.  Steen,  one  of  the  sons,  is  in  the 
drug  business  at  Litchfield  ; one  daughter,  now  INIrs.  Harriet  Bum- 
hard,  resides  at  Lafayette,  Indiana ; another  daughter,  Mrs.  Eliza 
Kenyon,  lives  in  Marion  county,  Ohio  The  two  others  are  George 
H.  and  Joseph  W-  Steen.  The  first  was  the  tenth  child,  and  the 
latter  the  youngest. 

GEORGE  H.  STEEN 

Was  born  in  Tippecanoe  county,  Indiana,  ten  miles  south-east  of 
Lafayette,  on  the  29th  of  February,  1852.  In  the  year  1864,  when 
a boy  of  twelve,  he  was  thrown  violently  from  a horse  and  received 
severe  injuries  from  which  he  has  never  fully  recovered.  In  April, 
1865,  after  partially  regaining  his  strength  he  entered  the  Western 
Methodist  Academy,  at  Dayton,  Indiana,  and  with  the  exception 
of  one  or  two  terms  was  a student  in  this  school  for  four  years.  In 
1869,  after  leaving  school,  he  became  a clerk  in  a drug  store  at 
Dayton,  and  there  received  his  first  lessons  in  the  business  which  he 
has  since  followed.  The  next  year,  1870,  he  was  given  charge  of  a 
drug  store  at  Waldron,  in  Shelby  county,  Indiana,  and  was  occupied 
in  its  management  till  March,  1875.  He  had  a natural  inclination 
for  the  business,  and  fo  it  he  devoted  his  undivided  attention  and 
thus  secured  a thorough  acquaintance  with  every  branch  of  the 
trade.  In  June,  1875,  in  partnership  with  his  brother,  John  W. 
Steen,  he  purchased  a drug  store  at  Litchfield,  Montgomery  county, 
and  for  the  first  time  became  a resident  of  Illinois.  The  firm  also 
carried  on  the  business  of  manufacturing  baking  powders.  While 
residing  at  Litchfield,  on  the  5th  of  September,  1877,  he  married 
Ida  J.  Lawrence,  daughter  of  Joseph  Lawrence.  Her  father  was 
an  old  resident  of  Litchfield ; he  was  one  of  the  veterans  under  Gen. 
Taylor  who  took  part  in  the  Mexican  war,  and  was  also  a soldier  in 
the  late  war  of  the  rebellion.  Mrs.  Steen  was  born  at  Carlinville, 
Macoupin  county. 

JOSEPH  \V.  STEEN, 

the  youngest  son  of  George  Hamilton  Steen  and  Mary  Steen,  was 
born  on  the  old  homestead  farm  in  Tippecanoe  county,  Indiana,  on 
the  29th  of  July,  1857.  He  was  only  two  years  of  age  at  the  time 
of  his  father’s  death.  In  1867,  his  mother  moved  with  the  family 
to  Dayton,  Indiana.  His  brother,  George  H.  Steen,  was  already 
attending  school  at  that  place,  and  this  change  of  residence  was 
made  so  that  the  two  younger  children  might  also  enjoy  good 


educational  advantages  and  at  the  .same  time  live  at  home  with  their 
mother.  In  the  summer  of  1869,  he  returned  with  his  mother  to  the 
farm  in  Tippecanoe  county,  Indiana.  During  the  winter  of  1871-2, 
he  attended  school  at  Waldo,  Marion  county,  Ohio,  where  his 
brother-in-law,  IMr.  D.  H.  Kenyon,  was  extensively  engaged  in 
farming.  The  summer  of  1872  and  that  of  1873.  he  spent  in  a little 
town  on  the  Ohio  river,  in  the  extreme  south-west  corner  of  West 
Virginia.  In  the  year  1874,  he  lived  with  a Dr.  Ritchie,  at  Ren- 
saellaer,  Jasper  county,  Indiana.  After  attending  the  high  school 
at  Attica,  Indiana,  during  the  winter  of  1875-6,  in  the  spring  of 
1876  he  came  to  Litchfield,  Illinois,  where  his  two  older  brothers 
had  gone  into  the  drug  business  the  previous  year.  The  following 
winter  he  attended  school  at  Litchfield,  and  in  the  fall  of  1878  went  to 
Chicago,  and  was  a student  in  the  Chicago  College  of  Pharmacy  till 
the  next  spring,  when  he  went  back  to  Litchfield. 

In  April,  1878,  George  H.  Steen  disposed  of  his  interest  in  the 
store  at  Litchfield  to  his  brother,  John  W.  Steen,  and  after  winding 
up  his  business  there,  the  two  brothers^  came  to  Morrisonville,  pur- 
chased the  drug  store  formerly  carried  on  by  C.  A.  Roach,  and  on 
the  10th  of  September,  1878,  began  business.  During  their  residence 
at  Morrisonville  they  have  endeavored  to  secure  the  confidence  of  the 
jmblic,  and  establish  themselves  as  liberal  and  enterprising  business 
men.  They  carry  a full  stock  of  drugs  and  other  articles,  and  have 
endeavored  to  meet  the  wants  of  the  people,  and  to  give  them  the 
benefit  of  low  prices  and  unadulterated  drugs.  Beside  carrying  on 
the  drug  business  they  are  the  publishers  of  the  Morrisonville  Times, 
the  only  newsi)aper  published  in  the  south-vvestern  part  of  Christian 
county.  They  took  charge  of  this  paper  on  the  1st  of  October, 
1879,  and  under  their  management  the  paper  has  attained  a larger 
circulation,  and  has  been  placed  on  a paying  basis.  It  is  a journal 
filled  with  live  local  news,  and  does  credit  to  the  publishers,  who 
had  no  previous  experience  in  the  journalistic  profession,  except 
that  George  H.  Steen  was  formerly  connected  with  one  of  the 
metropolitan  newspapers  as  special  correspondent.  The  Messrs. 
Steen  have  proved  a valuable  addition  to  the  list  of  business  men  at 
Morrisonville,  and  their  social  qualities  and  liberal  and  oblig- 
ing methods  of  transacting  business,  have  made  them  many  friends. 


A.  W.  MILLER. 

Mr.  Miller,  the  police  magistrate  at  Morrisonville,  was  born  in 
Floyd  county,  Indiana,  on  the  4th  of  February,  1830.  His  father, 
Henry  Miller,  was  a native  of  Kentucky,  and  an  early  settler  in 
Indiana.  Before  coming  to  Indiana,  he  was  married  in  Kentucky 
to  Anna  Crow.  Mr.  Miller’s  father  moved  from  Indiana  to  Illi- 
nois in  the  year  1838,  and  first  settled  on  the  Macoupin  creek,  east 
of  Carlinville,  in  Macoupin  county.  In  1839  he  moved  on  a farm 
in  South  Otter  township  in  the  same  county.  Mr  Miller  was 
mostly  raised  in  that  locality,  attending  the  schools  of  South  Otter 
township  and  working  on  his  father’s  farm,  which  he  helped  im- 
prove from  the  raw  land.  He  learned  the  cooper  trade.  On  the 
24th  of  May,  1850,  he  married  Miss  Maria  Gill,  daughter  of  John 
Gill.  She  was  born  in  Yorkshire,  England,  and  came  to  this 
country  when  seven  years  old,  about  the  year  1840.  In  August, 
1850,  he  moved  to  Carlinville,  and  after  working  one  year  at  the 
cooper’s  trade,  learned  the  trade  of  a carpenter.  In  1853  he 
moved  back  to  South  Otter  township,  rented  land  and  impi’oved  a 
farm.  From  1856  to  1858  he  lived  in  Carlinville  where  he  had  an 
interest  in  a machine  shop.  In  the  latter  year  he  Avent  back  to  the 
farm  on  Avhich  he  was  raised  and  assumed  its  management,  his 
father  having  become  too  old  to  attend  to  it  properly.  He  was 
living  there  at  the  beginning  of  the  war  of  the  rebellion.  He  en- 


212 


HISTORY  OF  CHRISTIAN  COUNTY,  ILLINOIS. 


listed  on  the  loth  of  October,  1861,  in  Battery  K of  the  2d  Illinois 
Artillery.  He  served  three  years  and  two  months  and  a half,  all 
of  the  time  in  the  department  of  the  Mississippi.  At  Fort  Donel- 
son  he  was  on  one  of  the  gnn-boats  which  participitated  in  the 
close  of  that  fight.  After  the  evacuation  by  the  rebels  of  Colum- 
bus, Kentucky,  he  was  stationed  there.  In  the  summer  of  1863 
he  took  part  in  the  various  movements  under  Geii.  Grant  which 
resulted  in  the  capture  of  Vicksburg.  He  was  in  the  siege  of 
Jackson,  Mississipi.  For  thirteen  months  his  battery  was  stationed 
at  Katchez.  During  the  remainder  of  his  term  of  service  he  was 
engaged  in  scouting  and  destroying  the  railroads  leading  to  Mo- 
bile, with  the  object  of  cutting  off  the  rebel  communications.  He 
was  discharged  at  Memphis,  December  31st,  1864. 

In  1869,  he  bought  a quarter  section  of  unimproved  land  in 
Harvel  township,  Montgomery  county,  on  which  he  lived  till  the 
spring  of  1873.  Since  that  date  he  has  been  living  at  INIorrison- 
ville,  and  carrying  on  the  wheelwright  business  and  manufacturing 
patent  spring  wagon  seats,  of  the  improvement  on  which  he  took 
out  a patent  in  March,  1874.  He  was  formerly  a whig  in  politics, 
and  since  the  war  has  been  a republican-  He  has  nine  children. 
In  the  spring  of  1879,  he  was  elected  police  magistrate  of  INIorrison- 
ville  for  a term  of  four  years. 


THEODORE  LANGEN,  (Deceased). 

Theodore  Langen  was  one  of  the  oldest  residents  of  Ricks 
township,  and  a good  and  useful  citizen.  He  was  born  in  the  vil- 
lage of  Wiinnenberg,  Prussia,  on  the  27th  of  February,  1827.  His 
parents’  names  were  Frederick  Langen  and  Elizabeth  Wegener, 
and  he  was  the  youngest  of  eight  children.  His  father  was  a fixrmer, 
and  a man  in  good  circumstances.  He  attended  school  according 
to  the  German  custom  till  he  was  fourteen.  He  was  a boy  of  un- 
usually bright  mind,  paid  close  attention  to  his  studies,  and  invari- 
ably stood  at  the  head  of  his  class.  He  secured  a good  education, 
and  was  well  versed  in  the  I.,atin  language.  He  lived  at  home  till 


twenty-one,  and  then  went  into  the  Prussian  army,  where  he  served 
three  years.  After  returning  from  the  army  he  emigrated  to 
America.  He  came  over  to  this  country  by  himself ; the  rest  of  the 
family  remaining  behind  in  Germany.  He  landed  at  New  York  in 
the  spring  of  1852,  and  came  directly  to  Illinois  in  the  neighbor- 
hood of  Jerseyville,  in  Jersey  county.  On  the  17th  of  October,. 
1855,  he  married  Elizabeth  Brockamp,  who  was  born  in  Ahnburg, 
Germany,  on  the  10th  of  March,  1840.  Her  father,  Henry  Broc- 
kamp, on  coming  to  America,  settled  in  Jersey  county,  Illinois, 
seven  miles  west  of  Jerseyville,  where  he  lived  till  his  death,  in  Feb- 
ruary, 1870.  Her  mother,  whose  maiden  name  was  Catharine 
Mormann,  also  died  in  Jersey  county. 

After  Mr.  Langeu’s  marriage  he  moved  to  Greene  county,  and 
rented  a farm  three  miles  from  Carrollton,  on  which  he  labored  for 
eight  years.  He  came  to  Christian  county  in  the  spring  of  1853. 
He  bought  from  the  government  a quarter  section  of  land  in  sec- 
tion twenty-nine  of  Ricks  township,  the  first  laud  of  which  he  was 
the  owner.  The  north-western  part  of  the  county  was  at  that  time 
thinly  settled,  and  few  improvements  had  been  made  on  the  prairie. 
He  was  an  industrious  and  energetic  man,  and  afterward  bought 
additional  land.  At  the  time  of  his  death  he  owned  six  hundred 
and  forty  acres.  He  was  a peaceable  and  useful  citizen,  honest  and 
upright  in  his  business  dealings,  and  all  his  neighbors  testify  to  his 
many  good  qualities.  He  died  on  the  31st  day  of  August,  1876. 
In  politics  he  was  a democrat,  though  he  was  no  active  politician, 
and  had  no  desire  to  fill  public  office.  He  preferred  to  attend  to 
the  management  of  his  farm  and  his  own  private  business  affairs. 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Langen  had  eight  children,  all  of  whom  are  now 
living,  and  residing  in  Ricks  township.  Henry  Langen,  the  oldest 
son,  married  Amelia  Schwabe,  and  is  now  farming  on  section 
twenty-one.  Catharine  is  the  wife  of  Anthony  Lentz.  The  remain- 
ing children,  William,  Mary,  Elenora,  John,  Elizabeth  and  Helena, 
are  living  at  home.  Mrs.  Langen  lives  on  a valuable  farm,  four 
miles  from  Morrisonville,  which  her  husband  improved  during  his 
life-time.  A view  of  this  place  appears  among  our  illustrations. 


MAY  TOWNSHIP. 


.S  bounded  on  the  north  by  Stonington  ; east,  by  Prairie- 
ton  and  Assumption;  soutli,  by  Locust;  west,  by  Tay- 
lorville  township.  May  is  drained  by  the  Flat  Branch 
and  its  adlucnts,  which  empty  their  waters  in  the  Sanga- 
mon. .Much  of  this  township  wa.s  originally  heavily 
timltercd  with  the  several  kinds  of  oak,  hickory,  walnut,  cotton- 
wooil,  and  other  forest  trees,  and  at  tliis  writing  there  is  eonsider- 
ublc  tiinlxT  along  the  margins  of  tlie  streams,  sufficient  to  supply 
the  necessary  fuel,  and  tinilau'  for  building  and  fencing  purposes, 
for  many  y<-ars  to  come. 

May  eoin|irises  the  congre.ssional  township  thirteen,  range  one, 
we,st,  ami  i.s  just  six  inikw  stjuare.  .\t  first,  for  elective  franchise 
purposes,  its  territory  was  attached  to  'I'aylorville  and  Stonington 
pri'cinet.s  ; but,  on  the  adoiition  of  townshii)  organization,  in  1866, 
it  w.'is  formed  into  a separate  precinct,  and  named  at  first,  by  the 


county  authorities,  “ Smith.”  The  people  objected  to  this  name, 
not  because  of  the  numerous  family  of  that  name,  but  on  account  of 
the  political  itroclivities  of  the  person  for  whom  it  was  named. 
The  Mr.  Thomas  Smith,  whom  it  was  intended  to  honor  by  his 
friends,  was  at  the  time  a resident  of  the  township,  an  Englishman 
by  birth,  and  a strong  partizan  democrat.  It  was  then  changed  to 
“ Howard,”  but  it  was  ascertained  that  then'  was  already  a town- 
shii) of  that  name,  and  that  the  law  forbade  there  being  more  than 
one  of  the  same  name  in  the  state.  It  was  next  named  “May,”  in 
honor  of  the  brave  t^olonel  May,  of  the  artillery  arm  of  the  service 
in  the  Mexican  war. 

I’loiiccr  Hcttlrrs  were  : John  Shanock,  John  Estes,  Benj.  Williams,  - 
William  B.  Hall,  David  Hall,  O.  Banning,  Daniel  C.  Goode,  Hiram 
Walker,  4'homas  Dawson,  William  Rolls,  Gabriel  McKenzie,  and 
their  families.  Some  of  the  above  were  residents  here  before  the 


I be  Llbrery 
•<  the 

jaMrtity  HlhteU 


HISTORY  OF  CHRISTIAN  COUNTY,  ILLINOIS 


213 


organization  of  the  county.  At  a later  date  of  “ old  settlers”  we 
will  mention  the  names  of  Silas  Harris,  David  Rutledge,  James  S. 
Grant,  James  M.  Galloway,  Jose[)h  Bugg,  Thomas  Bugg,  Thomas 
Smith,  John  S.  Fraley,  J.  D.  Allsmau,  John  Tedlie,  William  Tedlie, 
and  Joseph  Funk. 

May  township  is  well  supplied  with  streams  for  stock  purposes, 
the  Flat  Branch  entering  it  in  the  north-eastern  part,  on  section 
one,  and  traversing  it  in  a south-westerly  direction,  and  leaving  the 
township  on  section  nineteen  Spring  Branch  courses  along  the  east 
side  in  a northerly  direction,  passing  nearly  through  the  centre  of 
the  eastern  tier  of  sections,  and  mingles  its  waters  with  those  of  the 
Flat  Branch  on  section  one.  On  its  headwaters  is  “Clawson’s 
Point,”  at  the  head  of  the  timber  on  the  road  from  Taylorville  to 
Assumption.  It  used  to  be  one  of  tbe  old  “ land-marks  ” in  guiding 
travelers  over  the  lonely,  uninhabited  prairie  in  going  to  Shelby- 
ville. 

There  is  a noted  spring,  in  a romantic  spot  in  the  north-western 
part  of  the  township,  above  tbe  old  residence  of  Daniel  C.  Goode, 
more  recently  occupied  by  the  Hammers.  Gabriel  McKenzie  lived 
near  it  at  an  early  day.  But  the  improvements  were  long  since 
removed,  and  the  little  cascade  alone  sings  its  requiem.  This  town- 
ship, at  a very  early  day,  was  more  favored  than  some  other  sec- 
tions of  the  county  by  having  milling  facilities.  Thomas  Dawson 
operated  a cog  horse-mill,  near  the  present  residence  of  William  B. 
Hall,  which  served  a useful  purpose.  In  time  he  sold  it  to  Aaron 
McKenzie,  who  moved  it  farther  up  the  branch  to  Prairieton  town- 
ship. At  a later  date  Silas  Harris  erected  a horse-mill  on  his  farm, 
on  the  east  side  of  the  Flat  Branch,  in  1842.  Most  of  the  settle- 
ments at  first  were  made  along  the  borders  of  Flat  Branch  tim- 
ber. This  township  is  settled  by  an  upright,  industrious,  energetic 
population,  wbo  take  a great  interest  in  churches  and  schools.  The 
United  Presbyterians  built  a church  some  years  ago,  located  in  the 
north-west  corner  of  section  twenty-seven,  on  the  public  road  lead- 
ing to  Assumption.  There  are  several  families  of  the  Waddles 
living  in  this  neighborhood,  and  for  a time  it  was  called  “Waddle 
Settlement.”  The  voting  centre  is  at  “ Tedlie’s  School-House,”  in 
the  west  part  of  section  twenty-two,  about  a mile  north  of  the  FT.  P. 
Church. 

Railroads. — The  Wabash,  St.  Louis  and  I’acific  Railroad  crosses 
the  north-west  corner  of  this  township,  passing  through  sections 
five,  six,  and  seven.  Willey’s  Station  is  located  in  the  south-east 
corner  of  section  six.  It  was  laid  out  by  Israel  Willey,  and 
from  him  took  its  name.  The  first  store  was  opened  by  the  Messrs. 
Willey.  It  is  a great  shipping  point  for  grain  and  stock. 
Willey  Post-Office  is  located  here.  The  village  has  considerable 
trade  with  the  farmers  of  this  township.  The  O.  and  M.  Railroad 
crosses  the  south-west  corner  of  the  township  on  section  thirty-one. 

Early  Mills. — Isaac  Harris  erected  a horse-mill  on  his  farm  in 
the  south-west  part  of  the  township,  some  four  miles  east  of  Tay- 


lorville, in  1836  ; the  old  mill  house  stood  on  Spring  branch,  for 
many  years  thereafter  serving  as  an  old  land-mark  of  the  past. 
The  population  of  May,  in  1870,  was  681. 

The  first  lands  entered,  as  shown  in  the  county  records,  are  as 
follows : March  13th,  1833,  Peter  R.  Ketcham,  N.  W.  X.  E.  Sec.  3, 
40.4.5  acres;  Feb.  20th,  1834,  Daniel  C.  Goode,  W.  I N.  W.  Sec. 
19,  69.19  acres;  W.  -I  S.  W.  Sec.  18,  74.88  acres;  Oct.  9,  1834, 
Joseph  N.  Bennefield,  X.  W.,  X.  W.  Sec.  17,  40  acres. 

Among  the  persons  who  have  well  improved  farms  in  this 
township  may  be  mentioned  tbe  following:  John  W.  Allsman,  H. 
B.  Long,  Sr.,  William  J.  Ettinger,  John  Shetlar,  Alfred  Spates, 
Richard  Peck,  Edward  Bugg  and  Fred.  F.  Weiser. 

The  farm  improvements  of  May  will  rank  favorably  with  those 
of  any  other  township  in  the  county.  Quite  a number  of  old  set- 
tlers of  the  county  are  now  residents  of  May.  Among  them  may 
be  mentioned  William  B.  Hall,  a native  of  Virginia  ; he  settled  in 
the  county  in  1835;  and  he  subsequently  married  Eloisa  Moore, 
also  a Virginian  by  birth  ; she  became  a resident  of  Christian  coun- 
ty in  1838.  Another  old  settler  is  Xancy  Willey,  relict  of  Stephen 
Willey  ; she  is  a Tenneseean  by  birth,  and  came  to  the  county  in 
1833.  Her  husband  was  a native  of  Ohio,  and  settled  in  this 
county  in  1844.  X.  D.  Sanders  came  to  and  settled  in  the  county 
in  1837  ; he  is  a native  of  Connecticut,  and  has  always  been  the 
stanch  friend  of  churches  and  public  schools,  and  is  a farmer 
and  stock  raiser  by  occupation.  Robert  A.  Hazlett,  a leading 
farmer  and  stock  raiser,  became  a resident  of  the  county  in  1827. 
He  is  an  Ohioan  by  birtb.  His  wife,  formerly  Elizabeth  H.  Steel, 
settled  here  in  1829  ; she  is  a native  of  Kentucky. 

We  apjiend  the  township  officers  since  organization. 

Supervisors. — John  S.  Fraley,  elected  1866,  and  re-elected  1867 ; 
John  Waddle,  1868  ; J.  S.  Fraley,  1869,  re-elected  1870  and  ’72  ; 
B.  M.  Burdick,  1873,  re-elected  1874  ; J.  S.  Fraley,  1875  and  ’76; 
H.  B.  Long,  1877  ; J.  S.  Fraley,  1878 ; Joseph  Hackenburg,  1879, 
re-elected  1880. 

Assessors. — Richard  Peck,  1876,  re-elected  1877,  78,  ’79  and  ’80. 

Collectors. — Richard  Peck,  elected  1866  ; re-elected  1867,  ’68, 
’69,  ’70,  ’71  and  72;  James  Waddle,  1873, ’74  and ’75;  H.  B. 
Long,  Sr.,  1876;  Edward  Bugg,  1877,  re-elected  1878,  ’79  and  ’80. 

Town  Clerks. — Win.  D.  Coffman,  1876,  re  elected  each  succeed- 
ing year. 

Commissioners  of  Highways — Wm  Tedlie,  1876;  W.  I).  Coffman, 
1877;  B.  E.  Waddle,  1878;  Wm.  Bugg,  1879;  John  Hazlett, 
1880. 

Constables. — Jefferson  Stephens  and  J.  E.  George,  elected  in 
1877 ; F.  S.  Wilson,  1878 ; J.  T.  Moody  and  J.  D.  Coffman,  1879 ; 
John  W.  Waddle  and  Samuel  Waddle,  1880. 

Justices  of  the  Peace. — B.  M.  Burdick,  elected  in  1866  ; Thomas 
Smith,  1870  ; Wm.  G.  Henry.  1870;  John  H.  Herdman,  1876 ; 
John  H.  Herdman  and  B.  E.  Waddle,  1877. 


BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES. 


Richard  Peck,  a view  of  whose  farm  and  residence  in  May 
townshij)  ajipcars  on  tlie  ojiposite  page,  and  wliose  portrait  heads 
this  sketch,  is  a native  of  England,  and  wa.s  horn  in  tlie  East  Rid- 
ing, of  Yorkshire,  near  Hidl,  on  the  eighth  of  December,  1816.  lie 
was  the  fourth  of  ten  children  of  Simon  I*eck  and  Ids  wife  Jane, 
whose  maiden  name  was  Routledge.  In  tlie  year  1834,  his  father 
emigrated  with  the  family  to  America,  and  settled  on  a farm  near 
Terre  Haute,  Indiana.  For  a couple  of  years  after  coming  to  In- 
diana, Mr.  Peck  worked  in  Terre  Haute,  and  then  rented  his  father’s 
farm  ami  went  to  farming.  In  18-‘)7  he  made  a trip  to  New  Or- 
leans on  a flat  boat,  as  he  did  also  in  ]H4I,that  being  the  usual 
method  by  which  in  tho.^e  days  the  farmers  of  llic  Waba.'h  valley 
dis])Osed  of  their  .surplus  iiroduce.  He  was  married  on  the  sixth  of 
March,  1842,  to  Naomi  Gould,  who  was  born  in  Lewis  (now  I'p- 
shur)  county.  West  Virginia,  March  tlie  fourteenth,  1820.  Her 
father,  whose  name  wa.s  Daniel  Gould,  died  in  Virginia.  Her 
mother,  whose  maiden  name  wa.s  Margaret  Strange,  married  a .‘srond 
hu.sband,  and  moved  to  Indiana  with  the  family,  and  settled  near 
Terre  Haute  in  the  year  1820. 

In  the  sjiring  of  1850,  .Mr.  Peck  came  to  Christian  county.  Dur- 
ing the  summer  of  the  .same  year  he  entered  a'  (piarter  seetion  of 
214 


land  in  section  thirteen,  of  township  thirteen,  range  one  west,  and 
at  the  land  .sales  in  1852  secured  eighty  additional  acres.  When 
he  first  came  to  this  county  the  prairie  in  May  township  had  not 
begun  to  be  improved.  On  his  first  journey  to  this  part  of  the  state 
he  rode  eighteen  miles  without  seeing  a house  He  went  back  to 
Indiana  in  the  sjiring  of  1854,  but  returned  to  this  county  in  the 
spring  of  1858,  and  has  since  been  a resident  of  May  townshiji. 
Since  1864  his  home  has  been  on  section  thirty-six.  He  has  one 
hundred  and  ninety  acres  of  land.  He  is  a gentleman  in  whom 
the  people  of  IMay  township  .seem  to  have  every  confidence  as  to  his 
business  ability  and  personal  integrity-  On  the  adoption  of  town- 
ship organization,  he  was  chosen  collector  of  the  township,  and 
served  in  that  capacity  for  .seven  years.  Since  leaving  the  collec- 
i torship,  from  1873  to  the  present  time,  he  has  been  assessor.  In 

I bis  ])olitical  sympathies  he  was  a whig,  and  cast  his  first  vote  for 

jiresidcnt  for  General  Harrison,  in  the  celebrated  log  cabin  and 
hard  cider  campaign  of  1840.  He  has  been  a republican  since  the 
organization  of  the  party,  though  in  county  and  township  elections, 
he  has  often  voted  independently  of  party  affiliations.  For  twenty 
years  he  has  been  a subseriber  and  reader  of  the  New  York 
Trihiaie,  and  has  kept  himself  well-informed  on  the  topics  of  the  day. 


V - T»  t' 


Tk«  ubonr 

•f  the 

IlMivertIty  ot 


V 


HISTORY  OF  CHRISTIAN  COUNTY,  ILLINOIS. 


215 


JOHN  SMITH. 

Among  the  old  settlers  of  May  township,  was  Thomas  Smith, 
whose  portrait  appears  at  the  head  of  this  sketch.  He  was  born  in 
England  on  the  sixth  day  of  June,  1811.  He  emigrated  to  Ameri- 
ca in  June,  1844,  and  .soon  afterward  came  to  Christian  county. 
He  settled  on  a farm  on  the  edge  of  the  Flat  Branch  timber,  in 
section  15,  May  township,  where  he  lived  till  the  time  of  his  death. 
He  came  to  this  county  poor,  and  by  dint  of  hard  work  and  rigid 
economy,  he  managed  to  become  the  owner  of  a valuable  fiirm,  and 
to  accumulate  a competence.  He  was  full  of  energy,  and  had  ex- 
cellent business  capacity.  He  filled  the  office  of  justice  of  the 
peace  for  twenty-six  years,  and  the  good  common  sense  and  sound 
judgment  he  displayed  in  this  position,  gave  the  people  of  the 
township  confidence  in  him  as  an  able  business  man,  and  an  im- 
partial magistrate.  He  also,  for  a long  number  of  years,  filled  the 
office  of  township  treasurer.  He  was  a man  very  reserved  in  his 
disposition,  and  said  little  about  his  own  business  affairs,  even  to 
those  with  whom  he  was  best  acquainted.  As  far  as  his  dealings 
with  his  fellow-men  were  concerned,  he  was  scrupulously  honest, 
and  no  imputation  was  ever  breathed  on  his  integrity.  He  was  an 
ardent  democrat  in  politics.  He  died  in  January,  1877. 

John  Smith,  who  now  lives  on  the  farm  in  May  township,  on 
which  his  father  formerly  resided,  was  born  at  Stoke,  Lancashire, 
England,  on  the  18th  of  April,  1838.  The  maiden  name  of  his 
mother  was  Elizabeth  Jane  Cooper.  John  was  next  to  the  oldest 
of  a family  of  four  children.  He  came  to  America  in  1844,  and 


was  raised  in  the  neighborhood  of  Griggsville,  in  Pike  county,  in 
this  state.  From  the  time  he  was  eight  years  old  he  was  obliged  to 
work  for  his  own  living.  For  a year  and  a half,  he  had  his  home 
with  a man  named  Wm.  Pine,  in  Pike  county.  In  the  fall  of  1849,  he 
went  to  Naples  and  was  employed  in  a hotel  there  for  some  months. 
His  home  was  in  the  vicinity  of  Jacksonville  from  1850  to  1855. 
During  1852  and  1853,  he  carried  the  mail  between  Jacksonville 
and  Brighton.  He  was  then  a boy  of  fourteen  or  fifteen.  The 
distance  between  the  two  places  was  fifty-five  miles,  and  he  made 
the  round  trip  once  a week,  most  of  the  time  on  horseback.  His 
route  was  through  Greenfield,  Rhoads  Point  (where  is  now  the 
town  of  Medora)  and  Piasa,  He  was  often  obliged  to  ride  late  at 
night  to  reach  his  stopping  places,  to  cross  streams  when  they  were 
dangerous  from  being  swollen  by  recent  rains,  and  altogether  the 
duty  was  not  so  pleasant  as  might  be  imagined.  When  he  first 
went  to  Jacksonville  he  worked  for  six  bits  a week,  and  when  he 
carried  the  mail  he  received  eight  dollars  a month.  For  two  years 
he  worked  on  the  farm  of  Anthony  Thornton,  ten  miles  south  of 
•Jacksonville. 

In  1855,  he  went  to  Brown  county.  He  was  then  seventeen.  He 
there  learned  to  chop.  He  mastered  the  art  of  handling  an  axe  as 
well  as  most  men.  He  principally  followed  getting  out  rails  and 
staves.  One  of  the  first  contracts  he  made  was  to  clear  and  fence 
a ten-acre  tract  of  land  and  to  pay  fifty  dollars  cash  for  a horse. 
The  other  party  to  the  arrangement  had,  of  course,  the  best  of  the 
bargain,  but  Mr.  Smith  went  to  work,  cleared  off  the  timber,  and 


216 


HISTORY  OF  CHRISTIAN  COUNTY,  ILLINOIS. 


got  out  twenty-nine  hundred  rails.  He  already  had  thirty  dollars, 
and  the  remaining  twenty,  with  which  to  make  the  cash  payment, 
he  earned  by  chopping  cord  wood  in  the  Illinois  bottom.  The 
horse  was  dearly  earned,  but  it  was  the  first  step  in  the  way  of 
making  his  own  living.  The  next  summer  he  earned  a second 
horse  by  working  for  an  uncle.  In  January,  1858,  he  had  two 
horses  clear,  but  not  a nickel  in  money,  and  only  clothes  enough  to 
keej)  him  warm.  He  next  arranged  with  another  man  to  rent  land 
and  raise  a crop  in  partnership,  but  this  agreement  was  not  carried 
out,  and  Mr.  Smith  worked  from  March  to  June,  receiving  for  his 
labor  oidy  fifteen  dollars.  In  1859,  he  rai.sed  a small  crop,  but 
was  principally  employed  in  making  staves.  He  rented  land  in 
Pike  county,  in  1860,  which  he  farmed  for  two  years,  and  then 
leased  an  adjoining  farm.  By  January,  1864,  he  had  saved  three 
hundred  dollars  in  money  and  owned  beside  four  head  of  horses, 
sixteen  head  of  cattle,  and  other  stock  and  farming  utensils.  He 
then  determined  to  buy  land,  and  paid  half  down  for  eighty  acres 
which  he  purchased  for  six  hundred  dollars.  Only  eighteen  acres 
were  cleared  ; the  rest  was  timber.  He  had  it  all  paid  for  at  the 
end  of  the  year. 

On  the  10th  of  April,  1864,  he  married  Ruth  Jane  Kaylor,  who 
died  on  the  thirteenth  of  A{)ril,  1875.  In  1866,  he  bought  au  addi- 
tional 160  acres.  When  not  busy  on  the  farm  he  was  hard  at  work 
in  the  timber,  getting  out  rails  and  ties,  hauling  them  sixteen  miles 
to  the  railroad,  and  working  all  day  and  sometimes  late  into  the 
night.  As  soon  as  he  had  means,  he  bought  another  110  acres.  By 
hard  work  he  managed  to  accumulate  considerable  property,  and 
was  known  as  an  industrious,  energetic  and  prosperous  man.  His 
second  marriage  was  on  the  7th  of  November,  1875,  to  Sarab  E. 
Lane,  who  was  born  in  Adams  county.  In  April,  1878,  after  his 
father’s  death,  Mr.  Smith  moved  on  his  father’s  old  farm,  in  May 
townshij).  He  is  now  the  owner  of  710  acres  of  land— 360  in  May 
townshif*,  and  the  balance  in  Adams  county.  He  is  a man  who  has 
made  his  way  through  the  world  by  his  own  energy.  He  began  life 
with  nothing,  and  by  indu.stry  managed  to  place  himself  in  com- 
fortable circumstances  j)revious  to  his  father’s  death,  and  to  show 
that  he  was  competent  to  make  his  own  way  in  the  world.  He  has 
had  seven  children,  five  by  his  first  and  two  by  his  second  marriage. 
Two  by  his  first  marriage  are  dead,  one  of  whom,  Ellen  Catharine 
Jemima  Smith,  was  eight  years  old  when  she  died,  and  a child  of 
unusual  Imightness,  whose  death  made  a vacant  place  in  the  family 
circle  hard  to  bo  filled.  The  other,  Arthur,  died  in  infancy.  The 
names  of  the  children  living  are  Lydia  Elizabeth,  George  Thomas, 
John  William,  Orj)ha  Myrtle,  and  Virgil  Arnold.  He  has  always 
been  a democrat  in  politicos. 


WILLIAM  M.  LEACH 

W.\.s  born  in  Stafliu'd  county,  Virginia,  within  twelve  miles  of 
Fredericksburgli,  July  9,  18.‘>2.  His  grandfather,  James  H.  Leach, 
came  from  England,  and  settled  in  Virginia,  before  the  Revolution- 
ary war.  lie  had  been  a sailor,  and  during  the  Revolution,  served 
in  the  American  navy.  Philemon  M.  Leach,  the  father  of  the  sub- 
jeet  of  this  sketch,  was  born  in  Prince  William  county,  Virginia, 
ami  during  the  war  of  1812,  was  one  of  tin;  I'orcc  raised  to  defend 
Wasldngton  City  from  the  attach  of  the  Hritish.  After  ndurning 
from  the  army,  he  married  Mary,  daughter  of  George  Curtis,  of 
Stafford  county,  Virginia,  who  was  an  1‘inglishman  by  birth,  and 
lunl  been  a soldier  of  the  Kevolution.  i\Ir.  Leach  was  the  seventh 
of  a family  of  ton  children.  In  1839,  his  father  moved  to  Perry 
county,  < >hio.  There  Mr.  Leach  was  principally  rai.sed.  He  at- 
tended school,  working  through  the  inysterics  of  calculations  in 


pounds,  shillings,  and  pence,  in  the  old  Pike’s  arithmetic,  and  ob- 
tained a fair  education.  He  learned  the  trade  of  a potter.  In 
1854,  he  came  to  Indianajmlis,  Indiana,  and  after  working  at  his 
trade  about  eighteen  months,  w'ent  to  farming,  four  miles  north-east 
of  that  city.  April  28,  1856,  he  married  Minerva  J.  Gresh,  a na- 
tive of  Wayne  county,  Indiana.  In  1857,  he  removed  to  Fayette 
county,  Illinois,  and  in  1859,  came  to  this  county.  His  first  wife 
having  died  in  1874,  he  was  married,  on  the  31st  of  August,  1875, 
to  Mrs.  Maggie  Irion,  widow'  of  Dr.  Silas  Irion,  formerly  of  Mor- 
risonville.  Her  maiden  name  Avas  Stout,  and  she  was  born  in 
Greene  county  of  this  state.  Mr.  Leach  was  raised  a democrat,  but 
of  late  years  has  occupied  an  independent  position  in  politics,  be- 
lieving that  the  most  good  can,  perhaps,  be  accomplished,  by  each 
man  voting  for  the  best  candidate  for  public  office,  irrespective  of 
the  political  party  to  Avhich  he  belongs. 


JOHN  W.  ALLSMAN 

Is  a native  of  Jes.samine  county,  Kentucky,  and  was  born  on  the 
twenty-ninth  of  November,  1828,  the  seventh  of  a family  of  four- 
teen children  of  Aaron  and  Elizabeth  (Logue)  Allsman.  Andrew 
Allsman,  grandfather  of  the  subject  of  this  sketch,  emigrated  from 
Germany,  first  settling  near  Allegheny,  Pennsylvania,  and  then 
moved  to  Kentucky,  where  he  was  a pioneer  settler.  He  took  part 
in  many  of  the  conflicts  which  occurred  “on  the  dark  and  bloody 
ground,”  and  his  oldest  son,  Andrew  Allsman,  was  killed  in  one  of  the 
Indian  battle.s.  About  1833  he  moved  to  Sullivan  county,  Indiana, 
w'here  he  lived  the  balance  of  his  life,  dying  at  the  green  old  age  of 
one  hundred  and  seventeen.  He  was  a man  of  remarkable  physical 
strength,  and  made  a full  hand  in  the  harvest  field  when  over  one 
hundred  years  old.  He  and  his  wife  lived  together  seventy-five 
years  to  a day. 

Aaron  Allsman,  father  of  John  W.  Allsman,  was  born  in  Ken- 
tucky ; was  married  in  1815  ; moved  to  Indiana  in  1830  and  to  Il- 
linois in  1849.  He  settled  on  the  farm  now  occupied  by  his  son  in 
Christian  county,  entering  the  land,  April  tenth,  1850.  He  died  in 
October,  1865,  surviving  his  wife  three  days.  He  was  also  a man  of 
wonderful  strength,  and  w hen  sixty-five,  at  the  town  of  Assumption 
he  lifted  with  ease  a barrel  of  molasses  from  the  floor.  Both  he  and 
his  wife  were  members  of  the  Methodist  chui'ch.  Of  his  family 
only  four  sons  and  one  daughter  arc  now  living. 

John  W.  Allsman  spent  his  early  life  in  Indiana,  and  had  limited 
opportunities  for  getting  an  education.  He  is,  however,  well  in- 
formed on  the  current  toj)ics  of  the  day.  March  the  twenty-eighth, 
1852,  he  married  Miss  Frances  T.  Cook,  daughter  of  Thomas  Cook. 
She  was  born  in  the  state  of  Arkansas.  From  this  union  eight 
children  have  been  born,  two  of  whom  are  now  deceased.  Four 
sons  and  two  daughters  are  now  living.  The  second  son  is  mar- 
ried, and  a resident  of  Fillmore  county,  Nebraska.  IMr.  Allsman 
was  in  early  life  a Whig.  He  joined  the  Republican  party  on  its 
organization,  and  has  been  one  of  the  stanch  Republicans  of  that 
county.  During  the  late  rebellion  the  rnion  cause  did  not  have 
a stronger  supporter.  His  first  vote  for  President  was  ca.st  for  Scott 
in  1852.  He  voted  twice  for  the  immortal  Lincoln  and  twice 
for  Grant.  When  he  came  to  this  county  he  only  had  three  dollars 
in  money,  but  Avith  indefatigable  industry  and  energy  he  kept  on 
adding  little  by  little  to  his  original  po.^scssions,  till  noAV  he  has  a 
farm  of  three  hundred  acres,  a vicAV  of  Avhich  is  shoAvn  elseAvhere. 
lie  is  c.ssonlially  a self-made  man,  and  takes  pride  in  assisting 
the  development  and  groAvth  of  his  adopted  county.  We  take 
pleasure  in  i)resenting  his  name  as  one  of  the  representative  citi- 
zens of  l\Iay  toAvnshi]). 


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Farm  and  Res-  of  C.Q.LOVER  I N G-,  Sec.  32,  Jr,  \ ? , R.I,E.ChristianCo.,Ill. 


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VfZYj  or  Wl  ILEY  STATI  ON,  Sects.  6 8c  7,  May  Jp,  (l3)  R. I, W. Christian  Co.,  I ll. 


IV  ARE  HOUSE 


CHAIN  HOUSE. 


I 


Is  oue  of  the  representative  young  business  men 
of  this  county.  He  was  born  in  Cass  county,  of 
this  state,  July  the  twentieth,  1856.  His  parents, 
Philip  Weiser  and  Margaretta  Dexheimer,  were 
both  natives  of  Germany.  His  father  was  three 
years  old  on  coming  to  America ; he  first  lived  in 
Pennsylvania ; afterward  settled  in  Cass  county, 
Illinois,  and  in  1870  removed  to  Christian  county, 
and  now  owns  a fine  farm  of  over  four  hundred 
acres  in  Stonington  township. 

The  subject  of  this  sketch  is  the  oldest  of 
a family  of  seven  children.  He  lived  in  Cass 
county  till  fourteen  years  of  age.  At  the  age  of 
sixteen  he  became  a clerk  in  the  store  of  Kuder 

Bros.,  at  Taylorville,  where  he  remained  three 
•28 


years.  After  spending  a year  at  the  Commer- 
cial College  at  Springfield,  he  returned  to  Tay- 
lorville, and  for  about  six  months  was  employed 
in  the  store  of  Marblestone  Bros.  In  September, 
1879,  he  bought  out  the  store  at  Willey’s  Station, 
formerly  kept  by  Charles  Hall,  and  has  since 
been  carrying  on  a general  mercantile  business, 
and  is  the  proprietor  of  the  only  store  at  Willey’s. 

He  also  acts  as  post-master,  and  as  station 
agent  for  the  Wabash,  St  Louis  and  Pacific  Rail- 
way. He  has  likewise  been  engaged  in  dealing 
in  grain.  Mr.  Weiser,  though  still  a young  man, 
has  made  a good  business  record.  A picture  of 
his  store  appears  on  another  page,  and  his  por- 
trait heads  this  sketch. 


I 


217 


218 


HISTORY  OF  CHRISTIAN  COUNTY,  ILLINOIS. 


Mrs.  SUSANNAH  BUGG. 

Among  the  old  settlers  oflMay  tovvuship  is  IMrs.  Susannah  Biigg, 
whu  has  been  a resident  of  the  county  since  February,  1839.  She 
was  born  in  the  East  Riding  of  Yorkshire,  near  Hull,  on  the  tenth 
of  August,  1812.  Her  luaiden  name  was  Peck.  Her  father  was 
named  Simon  Peck,  and  her  mother’s  name  before  marriage  was 
Jane  Koutledge.  She  was  the  next  to  the  oldest  of  a family  of  ten 
children.  She  was  married  on  the  twenty-seventh  of  February, 
1833,  to  Joseph  Bugg,  who  was  born  on  the  twelfth  of  March,  1810, 
at  Levan,  in  the  East  Riding  of  Yorkshire.  In  June,  1834,  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Bugg  sailed  for  America.  They  landed  at  Quebec,  in 
Canada.  The  winter  of  1834-5  was  spent  in  the  vicinity  of  Toronto, 
IMrs.  Bugg  having  relations  in  thatjiart  of  Canada.  In  May,  1835, 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Bugg  came  to  Indiana,  and  settled  on  a farm  three 
miles  north-east  of  Terre  Haute.  In  February,  1839,  they  came  to 
this  county. 

Their  first  settlement  was  in  .section  four  of  May  township,  north 
of  the  Flat  Branch,  on  the  farm  recently  belonging  to  Henry  Tan- 
ner. Their  location  was  bn  the  prairie,  half  a mile  distant  from 
the  timber.  At  that  time  all  the  settlements  in  May  township  were 
along  the  timber,  and  the  Bugg  family  was  the  only  one  which  had 
ventured  out  on  the  prairie.  The  whole  south  eastern  part  of  the 
township  was  an  uncultivated  prairie,  which  people  in  those  days 
had  little  expected  would  develop  into  the  fine  farms  which  now 
may  be  seen  in  that  part  of  the  county.  After  living  five  years 
north  of  the  timber,  they  moved  to  a tract  of  laiid  in  sections  four- 
teen and  twenty-three.  This  was  in  the  year  1844.  At  that  date 
there  was  no  settlement  on  the  prairie  in  their  neighborhood.  For 
eighteen  miles  the  prairie  extended  toward  the  east  without  a single 
house  or  improvement  of  any  kind.  People  wondered  at  their 
choosing  the  prairie  for  a residence,  when  they  might  have  located 
in  the  timber.  Herds  of  deer  were  a frequent  sight.  Wolves  were 
abundant  and  troublesome, filling  the  night  with  their  howling,  and 
carrying  away  pigs  and  fowls,  which  had  ventured  too  great  a dis- 
tance from  the  house.  The  health  of  different  members  of  the 
family  also  suffered,  each  having  serious  attacks  of  the  chills  and 
fever.  The  horses  and  cows  also  died,  and  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Bugg 
almost  wished  that  they  had  remained  in  Old  England,  or  at  least 
were  back  at  their  former  home  in  Indiana.  Mr.  Bugg  improved 
a farm  of  three  hundred  and  eighty  acres,  and  died  May  the  tenth, 
1885.  He  was  a man  of  quiet  disposition,  attended  to  his  own  pri-  i 
vate  busine.ss  aflairs,  and  was  a good  citizen  of  the  township.  For  j 
a mimb(‘r  of  years  he  was  a member  of  the  Methodist  Church.  He 
had  eight  children  : Richard,  who  dif^d  at  the  age  of  sixteen ; John 
Thomas,  who  is  now  farming  in  this  county;  William  Bugg,  one  of 
the  farmers  of  May  township  ; Simon,  who  died  in  infancy  ; George 
P.,  whose  death  occurred  at  the  age  of  twenty ; Joseph  R.,  who  is 
farming  in  May  township  ; Edward,  and  Henry,  who  died  at  the 
a^e  of  nine  months. 

Edward  Bugg,  who  is  now  living  on  the  old  homestead,  a view  of 
whieh  is  shown  elsewhere,  was  born  on  the  thirty-first  of  IMarch, 
1818,  on  the  .same  farm  on  which  he  now  lives.  1 1 is  education  he 
received  in  the  schools  of  May  township.  He  was  married  on  the 
tenth  of  February,  1873,  to  Christina  Bailey,  daughter  of  M.  S. 
Bailey.  She  was  born  in  Oneida  county.  New  York,  and  at  the 
time  of  her  marriage  was  living  in  Steuben  county,  in  wc.stcrn  New 
York.  Her  grandfather  came  from  Massachusetts,  ami  was  one  of 
the  original  .settlers  of  Oneida  county.  New  York,  locating  there 
when  the  country  was  almost  a wilderm'.ss.  Mr.  Bugg  has  always 
been  a republican  in  politics.  For  three  years  he  was  collector  of  | 
.May  township. 


J.  ALONZO  WADDLE 

Was  born  in  Ohio  county.  West  Virginia,  October  twenty-ninth, 
1849.  His  father,  James  Waddle,  was  born  in  Virginia,  though  of 
Irish  descent.  He  married  Ruth  Morrison,  and  lived  in  Virginia 
till  1856,  and  then  came  to  this  state,  and  settled  on  section  twenty- 
two  of  May  township.  He  died  in  January,  1879.  His  wife,  mother 
of  the  subject  of  this  sketch,  had  previously  died  in  December,  1870. 
James  Waddle  was  a man  who  began  life  with  no  capital.  He  was 
industrious,  and  managed  to  accumulate  sufficient  money  to  buy, 
on  coming  to  this  state  four  hundred  acres  of  improved  prairie  land 
in  May  township,  In  politics  he  was  Republican.  He  belonged 
to  the  United  Presbyterian  denomination,  and  for  a number  of 
years  was  one  of  the  members  of  the  Spring  Creek  church  in  May 
township.  He  had  many  excellent  traits  of  character,  and  served 
as  collector  and  treasurer  of  May  township. 

J.  Alonzo  Waddle  was  the  fourth  of  nine  children.  He  was 
seven  years  old  when  he  came  to  this  county.  In  the  spring  of 
1870  he  began  farming  for  himself  on  section  twenty  three  of  May 
township.  October  twenty-seventh,  1870,  he  married  Jane  E. 
Henry,  who  died  on  the  twenty-second  of  ^larch,  1872.  His  second 
wife  was  formerly  Miss  Anna  R.  Fulton,  a native  of  Mercer  county, 
Pennsylvania.  Her  father,  W.  K.  Fulton,  on  coming  to  this  state, 
settled  in  Mercer  county.  Her  marriage  to  Mr.  Waddle  took  place 
on  the  fourth  of  February,  1875. 

REV.  D.  M.  McBRIDE, 

Pastor  of  the  Stonington  Baptist  church,  was  born  in  Montgom- 
eiy  county,  Pennsylvania,  December  31st,  1849.  On  his  father’s 
side  his  ancestors  were  of  Scotch  descent,  and  for  two  or  three  gene- 
rations had  been  residents  of  the  state  of  Delaware.  His  father, 
David  McBride,  was  born  in  Kent  county,  Delaware,  and  married 
Hannah  Taylor,  who  was  born  in  England,  and  who,  on  coming 
with  her  father  to  America,  settled  at  Gloucester,  N.  J.  David 
McBride  lived  for  a time  on  a farm  in  Montgomery  county,  Penn- 
sylvania, and  then  moved  to  Kent  county,  Delaware.  Here  the 
subject  of  our  sketch  was  princijially  raised.  From  eleven  to 
seventeen  he  was  alternately  engaged  as  a sailor  and  a soldier. 
From  December,  1864,  to  September,  1865,  he  served  in  the  213th 
Pennsylvania  regiment,  having  enlisted  at  the  age  of  fifteen.  He 
first  came  west  in  1868,  but  returned  to  Delaware,  and  in  the  fall 
of  1870,  entered  the  Wyoming  Institute,  at  Wyoming,  Delaware, 
in  which  he  was  a student  for  nearly  two  years.  Leaving  school  in 
February,  1872,  he  came  west,  and  was  first  employed  in  teaching 
music  ill  Jersey  county.  April  20th,  1873,  he  married  Mary  Bel- 
lamy, a native  of  Greene  county,  and  daughter  of  David  Bellamy. 
This  marriage  took  jilace  at  Stonington,  and  he  afterward  went  to 
farming  in  Stonington  township.  August  16th,  1873,  he  was  or- 
dained a minister  of  the  Baptist  denomination,  and  installed  pastor 
of  the  Providence  church,  in  Stonington  township,  of  which  he  had 
charge  for  two  years.  I'or  eighteen  months  he  was  pastor  of  a 
Baptist  church  near  Oconee,  in  Montgomery  county.  He  took 
charge  of  the  Stonington  Bajitist  church  in  the  spring  of  1873. 
Till  the  spring  of  1880  he  resided  on  his  farm  in  Stonington  town- 
shi[),  but  at  that  date  moved  to  the  Stonington  church.  He  has 
four  children. 


TOM  C.  PONTING. 

Tom  C.  Ponting,  one  of  the  leading  stock  men  of  Christian 
county,  was  born  near  Radstock,  in  Somersetshire,  England,  on  the 
26th  of  Augmst,  1829.  His  father,  John  Ponting,  was  a cattle 
grazer.  The  Ponting  family  is  of  Norman  origin,  and  came  over 


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HISTORY  OF  CHRISTIAN  COUNTY,  ILLINOIS. 


219 


to  England  at  the  time  of  the  Norman  conquest.  His  mother,  Ruth 
Sherne,  came  from  a Saxon  family.  Tom,  as  he  was  christened, 
was  the  third  of  nine  children,  of  whom  eight  are  now  living. 
Three  came  to  America.  John  settled  in  Knox  county,  Ohio,  and 
is  now  one  of  the  representative  citizens  of  that  part  of  that  State. 
Another  brother,  William,  died  in  this  country.  The  father  carried 
on  a business  of  some  magnitude  in  England,  but  some  of  his  enter- 
prises i)roving  disastrous,  Tom,  at  the  age  of  seventeen,  determined 
to  come  to  America. 

This  was  in  the  year  1847.  The  first  winter  after  coming  to  this 
country  was  spent  at  Columbus,  Ohio.  In  1848  he  went  to  Mil- 
waukee, Wisconsin,  and  for  a few  months  sold  cattle  for  a firm  at 
that  place.  He  then  resolved  to  go  into  business  on  his  own 
account.  He  had  brought  one  hundred  and  twenty-five  dollars 
from  England,  which,  with  forty-five  dollars  that  he  had  afterward 
earned,  constituted  his  whole  capital.  His  first  investment  was 
forty-five  dollars  in  a mare,  which  he  traded  for  nine  heifers.  The 
heifers  he  drove  to  Milwaukee  and  sold  for  ninety  dollars  cash. 
This  was  his  first  speculation.  He  was  considered  an  excellent 
judge  of  cattle  and  stock  even  at  tliat  age.  He  then  went  to  buy- 
ing stock,  camped  out,  and  carried  his  camp  before  him  on  horse- 
back as  he  moved  from  place  to  place.  In  1849  he  came  to  East- 
ern Central  Illinois  to  purchase  cows  and  calves.  He  camped  out 
at  Champaign,  then  an  open  plain  without  any  inhabitants  on  the 
surrounding  prairie.  He  sold  the  calves  and  lean  cows  to  emi- 
grants, and  the  fat  cows  to  butchers.  His  means  were  still  limited. 
He  and  his  partner  were  without  a wagon.  It  was  an  easy  matter 
to  pick  up  a calf,  carry  it  on  ahead  horseback,  and  by  this  means 
get  their  purchases  together.  He  came  to  this  county  in  1850  to 
purchase  cows  for  the  Milwaukee  market.  There  were  no  banks  at 
that  time,  and  the  money  to  pay  for  their  cattle,  in  big  Mexican 
silver  dollars,  was  carried  in  shot  bags  across  their  saddles.  An 
old  wagon  covered  with  cotton  drilling,  and  two  yoke  of  oxen,  con- 
stituted their  outfit.  At  night  a good  place  was  selected  to  pitch 
their  tent  and  they  camped  out.  In  those  early  times  they  found 
the  settlers  through  the  State  sociable  and  hospitable,  and  at  the 
farm-houses  a merry  time  was  often  had.  The  evenings  were  some- 
times spent  in  music  and  dancing. 

In  1853  he  started  out  through  Missouri,  Arkansas,  and  thence 
down  through  the  Indian  Territory  into  Texas.  That  was  a wild 
country  in  those  days.  Northern  Texas  contained  few  settlements, 
and  the  country  was  not  as  familiar  as  it  has  since  been  made  by 
the  opening  up  of  railroad  communication.  In  passing  through 
the  Indian  nation  they  met  few  evidences  of  civilization.  Among 
his  experiences  was  that  of  sleeping  one  night  in  a pigeon-roost, 
which  he  left  the  next  morning  at  daybreak  to  find  a hut  in  which 
an  Indian  had  his  habitation.  He  was,  of  course,  unacquainted 
with  the  Indian  vernacular,  but  managed  by  signs  to  make  it  plain 
that  he  wanted  something  to  eat.  He  was  served  up  with  a dish 
of  “tomsee-shofa,”  a mixture  of  cow’s  liver  and  lights  and  corn. 
It  was  placed  before  him  in  a wooden  bowl.  The  point  of  a cow’s 
horn  answered  for  a spoon.  He  tendered  a two  dollar  and  a-half 
gold  j)iece  in  payment.  When  the  old  Indian  i-eceived  it  he  laughed 
all  over,  but  gave  back  no  change. 

Texas  herds  were  then  wide  between.  They  succeeded  in  gath- 
ering together  three  hundred  and  fifty  steers  and  forty-five  horses, 
which  they  drove  into  Illinois  and  fed  for  a time  on  the  farm  on 
which  Mr.  I'onting  now  resides.  This  was  the  first  experiment  in 
Texas  cattle,  none  having  previously  been  seen  in  this  country.  In 
June  the  cattle  were  started  for  New  York.  An  old  ox  with  a bell 
was  led  ahead,  and  the  strangers  from  Texas  followed  behind.  At 
the  Wabash  the  ox  was  placed  in  a ferry-boat,  and  ferried  over. 


and  the  steers  swam  across  in  good  order  behind.  At  Muncietown, 
Indiana,  they  were  shipped  on  board  cars.  They  created  a great 
sensation  on  their  arrival  in  New  York.  Their  long  horns  fixed 
attention,  and  people  said,  “They  must  be  Iowa  cattle,”  knowing 
they  must  have  come  from  some  distant  point,  and  Iowa  at  that 
time  being  far  off  and  little  known.  When  it  was  discovered  that 
they  were  from  Texas,  2>eople  were  astonished.  Solon  Robinson  in- 
terviewed Mr.  Pouting,  and  published  a long  account  of  their  first 
experiment  with  Texas  cattle,  in  the  New  York  Tribune.  The 
next  year,  1855,  began  the  great  rush  to  Texas  for  cattle,  and  the 
trade  in  long  horns  has  been  kejff  up  ever  since. 

In  September,  1856,  he  married  Margai’et,  daughter  of  Michael 
Snyder.  Her  father  is  one  of  the  oldest  settlers  of  Prairieton  town- 
ship, and  a history  of  his  life  is  found  elsewhere.  Mr.  Pouting  was 
born  in  this  county  on  the  1st  of  September,  1839.  Up  to  the  year 
1857  Mr.  Pouting  had  succeeded  in  a financial  way  remarkably 
well,  but  when  the  crash  of  1857  came  it  swept  away  all  his  means 
and  left  him  twenty  thousand  dollars  w'orse  off  than  nothing,  it 
being  necessary  for  him  to  pay  out  both  his  own  and  his  partner’s 
liabilities.  But  his  nature  was  not  such  as  to  readily  give  way  to 
disaster,  and  he  set  resolutely  to  work  to  repair  his  broken  fortunes. 
He  had  good  friends,  and  people  seemed  never  to  doubt  his  honesty. 
In  a few  years  he  placed  himself  square  on  his  feet  again.  During 
the  war  of  the  rebellion,  when  prices  rose  and  opportunities  were 
offered  for  making  money  rapidly,  he  was  not  in  a situation  to  em- 
bark in  enterprises  of  any  considerable  magnitude.  He  was 
advised  to  take  advantage  of  the  bankrupt  act,  but  he  and  his  wife 
considered  that  they  would  prefer  paying  their  obligations,  which 
they  did,  at  last,  successfully. 

For  a considerable  number  of  years  he  handled  Texas  cattle,  but 
during  the  last  two  or  three  years  has  devoted  his  attention  to 
Colorado,  Oregon,  and  Montana  stock.  During  the  last  three 
years  he  has  been  breeding  short  horns,  and  among  his  herd  are  a 
number  of  as  fine  cattle  as  can  be  found  in  the  United  States.  He 
was  raised  in  a part  of  England  abounding  in  Hereford  cattle,  and 
has  always  retained  a great  admiration  for  that  stock.  Until 
within  the  last  few  years  no  Herefords  could  be  found  in  this  State. 
In  1879  Mr.  Pouting  introduced  the  stock  in  this  j^art  of  Illinois. 
He  believes  that  they  will  be  found  superior  to  short  horns,  making 
more  pounds  of  beef  to  a less  quantity  of  corn.  His  farm  consists 
of  eleven  hundred  acres.  He  and  his  wife  have  three  children : 
Jessie  A.,  Theophilus  W.,  and  Everett  A.  He  was  originally  a 
whig,  and  is  now  a republican.  He  is  a man,  however,  on  whom 
party  ties  sit  lightly,  and  he  frequently  votes  independent  of  party 
considerations.  Though  of  foreign  birth  he  is  a genuine  American 
in  his  sentiments.  He  has  a great  admiration  for  this  country,  and 
believes  that  it  offers  the  finest  business  opportunities,  and  the  best 
chances  for  development,  of  any  land  on  the  face  of  the  earth. 


NICHOLAS  SANDERS,  (Deceased). 

Nicholas  Sanders,  who  died  on  the  twenty-second  of  September^ 
1878,  was  one  of  the  pioneer  settlers  and  leading  citizens  of  May 
township.  He  was  born  at  Hopkinton,  Rhode  Island,  on  the  seventh 
of  April,  1805.  The  Sanders  family  had  been  residents  of  New 
England  from  an  early  period,  and  was  known  for  its  strict  tem- 
perance principles.  Several  members  of  the  family  advocated  total 
abstinance — a very  unusual  thing  in  those  days,  when  everybody 
occasionally  indulged  in  the  use  of  intoxicating  drinks.  Nicholas 
Sanders  was  one  of  thirteen  children,  twelve  of  whom  grew  to  ma- 
turity, married,  and  had  families.  His  father  w:is  named  William 
Sanders,  and  his  mother’s  name  before  marriage  was  Nancy  Vinson. 


220 


HISTORY  OF  CHRISTIAN  COUNTY,  ILLINOIS. 


About  the  year  1812  his  father  bought  laud  at  VoUmtown,  Connec- 
ticut, moved  to  that  locality,  where  he  followed  farming, and  carried 
on  a saw  and  grist-mill.  There  the  snbject  of  this  sketch  was  prin- 
cipally raised.  He  obtained  a good  business  education  in  the  com- 
mon schools  of  Connecticut.  On  the  twentieth  of  February,  1825, 
he  married  Sarah  Douglass,  who  was  born  at  Voluntown,  Connec- 
ticut, June  the  thirtieth,  1804,  the  daughter  of  William  Douglass 
and  his  wife  Ruth,  whose  maiden  name  was  Wilkinson.  Her  great- 
grandfather came  to  America  from  Ireland  and  settled  in  New  Eng- 
land. After  his  marriage  ]\Ir.  Sanders  engaged  in  farming,  which 
he  principally  followed  till  his  removal  to  Illinois. 

He  came  to  this  state  in  the  year  1837,  and  settled  on  section  one 
of  the  present  May  township.  His  first  residence  was  in  a log  cabin, 
at  the  point  of  the  timber,  and  his  residence  was  afterward  in  the 
same  vicinity  till  the  termination  of  his  life.  He  came  to  Illinois 
almost  entirely  without  means.  He  had  ])aid  for  eighty  acres  of 
land  before  leaving  Connecticut,  and  had  beside  barely  snthcient 
funds  to  pay  for  the  removal  to  this  state  of  the  small  amount  of 
goods  which  constitnted  his  only  personal  property.  He  devoted 
his  attention  toward  improving  Ids  land.  About  the  year  1851  he 
opened  a store  in  a small  way,  laid  in  a limited  stock  of  goods,  and 
began  the  business  of  merchandizing.  He  carried  on  this  store  for 
about  eighteen  years.  As  the  county  became  settled  he  gradually 
built  up  a large  trade,  and  annually  sold  large  (piantities  of  goods. 
At  tliat  time  Old  Stoniiigton  was  a place  of  considerable  ini2)ortance, 
and  the  centre  of  a large  trade  which,  since  the  building  of  the  rail- 
roads, has  been  drawn  to  other  localities.  By  rea.son  of  insufficient 
means,  he  was  obliged  to  commence  the  mercantile  business  in  a 
very  modest  manner,  in  a small  frame  building.  He  had  no  pre- 
vious exj)erience  at  selling  goods,  but  the  manifest  honesty  which 
characterized  his  dealings  and  his  constant  endeavors  to  oblige  his 
customers,  caused  a ra])id  increase  in  his  trade,  and  he  was  .soon 
comj)elled  to  enlarge  his  facilities,  and  add  to  his  accommodations. 
Accordingly,  he  built  the  brick  store  which  now  stands  adjoining 
his  former  residence.  In  this  building  he  carried  on  business  for  a 
considerable  number  of  years,  till  his  failing  liealth  induced  him  to 
clo.se  out  the  busine.ss  to  other  parties.  He  had  inherited  a vigorous 
con.stitution,  and  his  health  had  generally  been  good,  but  he  was 
struck  with  j>aralysis,  and  after  a few  years  of  feebleness,  died  on 
the  twenty-second  of  September,  1878.  He  had  live  children.  The 
oldest,  Sarah  Louisa,  died  at  the  age  of  about  eleven,  a few  weeks 
after  tbc  removal  of  the  family  to  tliis  state.  The  two  sons  of  this 
gentleman,  N.  D.  Sanders  and  J.  Ij.  Sanders,  are  now  residing  in  the 
vicinity  of  ( )ld  Stonington.  One  of  the  daughters,  Lydia  L., 
is  the  wife  of  ( '.  T.  t^hapman,  anil  the  other,  Julia  L.,  married 
Alfred  Brigg.s. 

As  a merchant  and  busine.ss  man,  Mr.  Sanders  bore  a reputation 
which  for  hone.sty  and  integrity  has  not  been  excelled  by  that  of 
any  other  citizen  of  this  county.  During  the  long  number  of  years 
in  which  he  had  busine,ss  relations  with  hundreds  of  peojde,  friends 
and  strangers,  no  im])utation  of  dishonesty  was  ever  breathed 
against  his  character.  He  was  one  of  those  men  of  whom  it  could  be 
truthfully  said,  “ His  word  is  its  good  as  his  bond.”  His  veracity 
was  uiif|UCStioned.  He  ])0.ssessed  considerable  determination  of 
character,  and  generally  accomplished  what  he  .set  out  to  do.  His 
early  life  wius  in  the  days  of  the  old  whig  and  democratic  partie.s. 
He  wiis  a member  of  the  whig  organization,  and  usually  supported 
its  candidates.  He  was  op|)osed  to  slavery  as  a matter  of  ]>rinciplc, 
and  was  one  of  the  first  to  connect  hini.self  with  the  republican  party 
on  its  organization.  During  the  war  of  the  rebellion,  Christian 
county  knew  no  stronger  union  man,  nor  one  who.se  heart  beat  more 
devotedly  for  the  maintciiiiiice  of  tlu;  union  and  the  preservation  of 


our  common  country.  For  a number  of  years  he  was  a justice  of 
the  peace,  and  also  acted  as  post-master  at  Old  Stonington. 

His  religions  and  moral  character  can  well  be  spoken  of  in  terms 
of  the  highest  praise.  He  was  a strong  advocate  of  the  temperance 
cause,  and  exemplified  the  benefits  of  that  cardinal  virtue  in  his 
daily  life.  From  the  year  1830  he  had  been  a member  of  the  Bap- 
tist Church.  He  was  one  of  the  founders  of  the  Stonington  Church, 
and  among  its  most  active  and  influential  members.  He  was  chari- 
table and  benevolent,  and  was  always  foremost  in  the  support  of 
every  good  object  and  religious  enterprise.  One  year  he  sup2)orted 
a missionary  at  his  own  exj)ense,  and  during  the  .same  time  paid 
one-fourth  of  the  supi)ort  of  the  pastor  of  the  Stonington  Church. 
By  a provision  of  his  will  he  left  two  thousand  dollars,  the  interest 
on  which  is  to  be  used  for  the  sup2>ort  of  some  missionary  minister 
of  the  Baptist  denomination  in  Christian  county.  These  facts  speak 
of  the  sinceritj'  of  his  religion  better  than  words  can  do.  His  death 
was  lamented  by  a large  circle  of  friends  and  neighbors.  His  re- 
mains now  re2>ose  in  the  Old  Stonington  Cemetery,  where  his  last 
I’esting-place  is  marked  by  a suitable  monument,  which  his  friends 
have  erected  to  his  memory. 


V.  A.  BAKER. 

Mr.  Baker,  one  of  the  farmers  of  May  township,  was  born  in 
Hardin  county,  Kentucky,  October  19th,  1838,  and  is  the  son  of 
William  Baker  and  Caroline  Utterbeck.  When  five  years  old  his 
father  moved  to  Richland  county,  Illinois,  where  the  snbject  of  this 
sketch  lived  till  he  was  eighteen  years  cf  age,  when  he  came  to 
Shelby  county,  and  worked  for  a cou2)le  of  years  near  Moweai2ua. 
He  then  came  to  May  township,  in  Christian  county.  In  1861  he 
went  back  to  Richland  county.  December  1st,  1861,  he  enlisted  in 
Company  C.,  63d  Regiment  Illinois  Infantry.  For  over  two  years 
he  was  on  detached  service,  and  stationed  at  Cairo,  where  he  was 
on  2>olice  duty.  He  rejoined  his  regiment  at  Huntsville,  Alabama, 
just  before  General  Sherman  started  out  on  his  famous  march  from 
Atlanta  to  the  sea.  He  accompanied  Sherman  through  Georgia 
and  other  southern  states,  and  arrived  at  Goldsboro,  North  Caro- 
lina, just  as  the  southern  confederacy  was  falling  to  pieces  and  the 
war  was  closing.  He  was  discharged  at  Goldsboro,  April  9th, 
1865,  and  reached  Washington  the  morning  of  the  day,  on  the 
night  of  which,  Lincoln  was  assassinated.  He  returned  to  Chri.s- 
tian  county.  He  was  married  August  29th,  1867,  to  Mary  H. 
Keiser.  Mrs.  Baker  was  born  April  22d,  1838,  in  Fayette  county, 
Kentucky.  Her  father,  .Tames  L.  Keiser,  was  born  at  Lexington, 
Kentucky,  and  married  Abigail  Stipp ; he  then  moved  from  Ken- 
tucky to  Christian  county,  in  March,  1853,  and  settled  on  a farm 
in  sectipn  two  of  May  townshi2),  on  which  he  lived  till  his  death, 
March  19tb,  18()6.  Mr.  Keiser  was  one  of  the  substantial  farmers 
of  May  township;  he  came  to  the  county  with  but  little  means,  and 
began  life  with  nothing  on  which  to  rely  excc2)t  his  own  industry. 
He  accumulated  considerable  2>i'01H'rty,  and  when  he  died  owned 
six  hundred  and  eighty  acres  of  land,  beside  other  pi’02icrty.  He 
was  a good  business  man,  industrious,  and  a good  trader.  In  early 
life  he  had  been  a whig  in  2>olitics,  and  was  afterwards  a democrat. 
He  was  a man  of  excellent  character.  l\Irs.  Baker  was  the  third 
of  seven  children.  After  their  marriage  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Baker  began 
farming  where  they  now  live,  on  section  fifteen,  in  May  township, 
on  one  of  the  earliest  inqu-oved  farms  in  that  of  the  county. 
They  have  two  children,  Vincent  August  and  Anna  Victoria.  Mr. 
Baker  has  been  indo2)endent  in  2)olitics,  and  has  generally  voted  for 
the  be.st  man  for  the  office.  His  first  vote  for  president  was  cast 
for  Lincoln,  in  I860.  He  is  known  as  a good  busine.ss  man,  and  to 


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ELM  GROVE  FARM"  RES.  and  Scene  on  TheStockFarm  ofH.  B.LON&  SR.,  Sects.  24  & 25  MayTp,  (13)  R.l,W.  Christian  Co.,  I ll. 


HISTORY  OF  CHRISTIAN  COUNTY,  ILLINOIS. 


221 


a considerable  extent  has  been  engaged  in  feeding  cattle  and 
trading  in  stock. 


ROBERT  A.  HAZLETT. 

Robert  Hazlett,  grandfather  of  Mr.  Hazlett,  came  from  Ire- 
land and  settled  in  North  Carolina  before  the  Revolutionary  war. 
Chandler  Hazlett,  his  grandfather’s  brother,  was  a soldier  in  the 
Revolution.  He  was  wounded  at  the  battle  of  Bunker  Hill,  and 
there  is  still  preserved  in  the  family  a book  which  he  picked  up  as 
he  crawled  off  that  hotly  contested  field.  Mr.  Hazlett ’s  father, 
John  Hazlett,  was  born  in  North  Carolina,  moved  to  what  is  now 
West  Virginia,  and  from  there  to  the  state  of  Ohio.  He  mar- 
ried Nancy  Patton,  in  Gallia  county,  Ohio,  February  7 th, 
1817.  In  1819  he  moved  to  Mercer  county.  West  Virginia,  on  the 
opposite  side  of  the  Ohio  river.  In  1827,  he  came  to  Illinois. 
Robert  A.  Hazlett  was  born  eight  miles  below  Gallipolis,  in  Gallia 
county,  Ohio,  on  the  29th  of  October,  1817.  He  was  eighteen 


months  old  when  his  father  moved  over  to  West  Virginia,  and  ten 
when  the  family  came  to  Illinois.  His  father  settled  in  Sangamon 
county,  four  miles  north-west  from  Springfield,  and  died  January 
31,  1842.  His  mother  died  March  2d,  1857.  Mr.  Hazlett  was 
raised  in  Sangamon  county.  January  3d,  1839,  he  married  Eliza- 
beth H.  Steele,  who  W'as  born  in  Christian  county,  Kentucky,  April 
11th,  1821.  In  1856,  he  settled  in  Mt.  Auburn  township,  in  this 
county,  where  he  lived  till  February,  1879,  when  he  moved  to  his 
present  farm  in  May  township.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Hazlett  have  had 
fourteen  children,  whose  names  are  as  follows : Rachel,  now  the 
wife  of  George  T.  Fagan,  John,  Nancy  J.,  who  married  David  Doy, 
Sarah  Eliza,  who  married  George  Moler,  James  Robert,  George 
Francis,  who  died  in  1865  at  the  age  of  fourteen,  Virgil,  Norman, 
Jasper  and  Martin,  who  died  in  infancy,  Elizabeth,  Laura  Bell 
and  Vallandigham.  Mr.  Hazlett  is  now  one  of  the  oldest  settlers 
of  this  part  of  the  state.  He  w'as  first  a whig,  and  since  has  been 
a democrat.  He  served  a term  as  justice  of  the  peace  in  Mt.  Au- 
burn township,  and  was  also  once  a collector  of  that  township. 


JOHNSON  TOWNSHIP. 


HIS  township  comj)rises  town  twelve  north,  range  two 
west,  and  lies  directly  south  of  Taylorville.  A large 
portion  of  the  territory  is  prairie,  which  remained  un- 
occupied for  many  years  after  the  organization  of  the 
county.  A few  settlers  with  log  cabins  and  small  improvements — 
graced  the  linings  of  the  timber  at  an  early  day.  The  south-east 
corner  of  the  township  extended  over  the  South  Fork  into  the  Buck- 
eye settlement.  This  section  and  that  part  of  it  bordering  along 
Brushy  Branch  on  the  west  side  were  the  first  settled  with  enter- 
prising farmers.  But  soon  thereafter  the  prairie  portion  began  to 
be  settled  rapidly,  and  now  is  one  solid  net-work  of  well  improved 
farms.  It  is  well  watered  by  the  South  Fork  of  the  Sangamon,  and 
its  affluents.  Its  bottoms  are  covered  with  a rich  growth  of  timber, 
amply  sufficient  for  building  purposes — fencing  and  fuel.  The 
farmers  direct  their  attention  mostly  to  the  raising  of  corn  and  feed- 
ing stock.  The  following  comprises  the  names  of  some  of  the  early 
settlers : John  Z.  Durbin,  Jesse  Hinkle  settled  on  section  28th  in 
1837,  John  Vinson,  Abram  Lantz,  Win.  Durbin,  Benj.  Harris, 
Lemuel  Raney,  John  C.  Clark,  Dr.  J.  H.  Clark,  Jeremiah  Welch, 
Benj.  Vinson,  Samuel  McKenzie,  W.  S.  Berry,  Noel  Rape,  Samuel 
Angel,  John  Keller,  J.  W.  Morgan,  Henry  Baker,  Jacob  Funder- 
burk, Joseph  Dawson,  John  Bowman,  Alex.  Johnson,  Henry  Rape, 
Richard  Johnson,  Dr.  U.  C.  McCoy,  A.  J.  Willey,  Thos.  E.  Voss, 
Peter  Brown,  Samuel  Large  and  J.  H.  Calloway.  Most  of  these  were 
residents  of  the  townshij)  twenty-five  years  ago.  At  the  organiza- 
tion of  the  county  this  whole  territory  was  in  the  “ South  Precinct,  ” 
embracing  Bear  Creek,  with  their  voting  place  at  Jno.  Z.  Durbin’s 
residence  on  the  W.  I section  24 — township  12 — 2 now  the  residence 
of  John  Dappard.  This  arrangement  Avas  only  temporary.  For 
many  years  thereafter  the  northern  two-thirds  was  attached  to  the 
Taylorville  Precinct,  whilst  the  south  third  formed  a part  of  “ Ne- 
vada ” precinct.  It  thus  remained  till  townshij)  organization  was 
effected  in  1866,  when  it  was  organized  as  Johnson  Township.  It 


was  first  named  Douglas,  after  the  distinguished  Illinois  statesman, 
but  subsequently  it  was  changed  to  the  present  name. 

At  the  first  election  of  township  officers  April  3d,  1866,  Tavner 
B.  Anderson  was  elected  first  Supervisor,  and  Samuel  J.  Shivers  and 
Richard  Culley  were  elected  Justices  of  the  Peace.  The  voting 
place  was  fixed  at  the  residence  of  Samuel  J.  Shivers,  on  the  six- 
teenth section,  being  the  most  central  for  the  convenience  of  its  in- 
habitants. Its  population,  at  the  census  of  1870,  was  640 — since 
which  time  it  has  increased  in  population.  At  the  Presidential 
election  in  1876,  there  Avere  243  votes  cast.  It  is  strongly  demo- 
cratic. 

“ Mound  school-house,  ” one  of  the  first  built  in  the  Buckeye 
prairie,  upAvard  of  thirty  years  ago,  is  on  the  N.  E.  I,  section  35 — 
in  the  south-east  part  of  the  toAvnship.  On  J.  W.  BroAvn’s  land  there 
is  a neat  M.  E.  church  building  near  the  BoAvman  school-house, 
erected  in  1874.  The  folloAving  are  the  first  land  entries  as  taken 
from  the  county  records : January  9, 1836,  Thomas  Young,  Sr.,  Lot  1, 
N.  E.  4 section  5,  80  acres ; May  10,  1836,  Jesse  Murphy,  N.  2 N. 
E.  I section  6,  86.96  acres ; May  18,  1836,  Hiram  Rountree,  N.  I 
N.  E.  I .section  1,  78.60  acres. 

HAEF  ACRE. 

This  once  noted  place  had  its  location  on  the  banks  of  the 
Sangamon,  in  the  north-Avestern  corner  of  Johnson  township,  on 
the  public  road  from  Taylorville  to  Bear  Creek.  It  Avas  specially 
located  on  the  N.  W.  2 N.  W.  I section  8.  Its  proprietor  Avas 
Edward  Bradly,  a genial  son  of  the  Emerald  Isle,  Avho  purchased 
a half  acre  of  ground  and  founded  the  toAvn.  To  give  it  an  air  of 
business  he  opened  a grocery  store  and  saloon  in  the  year  1855. 
The  county  court,  impressed  Avith  its  rising  prospects,  granted  license 
to  its  pi’oprietor  to  sell  “ spirituous  liquors  for  six  months,  ” at  the 
moderate  charge  of  $25, — and  the  executing  of  a bond  in  the  pen- 
alty of  $500.  It  contained  a steam  saAV-mill  operated  by  Bell  and 


222 


HISTORY  OF  CHRISTIAN  COUNTY,  ILLINOIS. 


Christian ; several  log  cabins  were  erected,  and  a few  families  located 
here  soon  after  the  town  was  established  In  time  it  became  noto- 
rious as  a place  of  dissipation  and  rowdyism,  giving  rise  to  the  name 
“Hell’s  Half  Acre.”  It  was  a half-way  town  for  those  who  were 
weary,  passing  to  and  fro  from  Bear  Creek  to  Taylorville,  and  home- 
ward. A fight  could  be  improvised  at  any  hour  to  order. 

Surveys. — The  land  in  this  township  was  originally  surveyed  bv 
W m.  Gordon,  Dej)uty  U.S.  Surveyor — returned  and  certified,  Jan. 
25th,  1819 — Wm.  Rector,  Surveyor  General.  In  the  midst  of  a 
raging  storm  the  saloon  building  and  contents  were  struck  by  light- 
ning and  burned.  Soon  the  mill  was  removed,  and  now  nothing 
remains  to  mark  the  spot  where  once  .stood  the  famous  “ Hell’s 
Half  Acre.” 

W e subjoin  a list  of  township  officers  : 

Supervisors. — T.  B.  Anderson,  elected  1866  ; H.  C.  Johnson,  1867  ; 
W.  S.  Berry,  1868;  Benj.  Howard,  1869,  and  re-elected  1870  and 
1871 ; William  S.  Berry,  1872,  re-elected  1873  and  1874  ; C.  T. 
Linxwiler,  1875;  D.  W.  Johnson,  1876,  re-elected,  and  has  con- 
tinued in  the  office  ever  since. 

Assmom — S.  J.  Shivers,  1876,  re-elected  1877  ; Moses  Oiler, 
1878  ; James  L Lamb,  1879  ; Moses  Oiler,  1880. 


Collectors — Andrew  J.  Roper,  elected  1866  ; James  Lamb,  1867  ; 
Charles  T.  Linxwiler,  1868  ; Moses  Oiler,  1869  ; T.  J.  Locker,  1 870 ; 
G.  W.  Shivers,  1871  ; T.  J.  Locker,  1872;  Fuel.  Marshall,  1873; 
C.  r.  Linxwiler,  1874;  Fuel.  Marshall,  1875;  Samuel  Culley, 
1876 ; J.  B.  Foy,  1877  ; S.  T.  Marshall,  1878  ; Fuel.  Marshall, 
1879  ; H.  N.  Underwood,  1880. 

Town  Clerks. — Enoch  Fleming,  1876;  G.  J.  Osborn,  1877,  re- 
elected 1878  ; John  B.  Foy,  1879,  re-elected  1880. 

Commissioners  of  Highivuys. — J.  II.  Hawkins,  1876;  A.  J.  Wil- 
kerson,  1877,  and  D.  A.  Dunbar,  1877;  Enoch  Fleming,  1878; 
Wm.  M.  Coe,  1879  ; D.  A.  Dunbar,  1880. 

Constables. — Leander  Scott  and  Joseph  Dawson,  elected  in  1873; 
Thomas  Howard  and  Isaac  Garsler,  1874;  Stephen  A.  Brown, 
1876,  re-elected  1877 ; W.  S.  Messenger,  elected  1877 ; Adolphus 
Scott,  1878 ; M.  C.  Carpenter,  1879 ; M.  C.  Shivers,  1880. 

Justices  of  the  Peace. — Samuel  J.  Shivers  and  Richard  Culley, 
elected  in  1866  ; Richard  Culley  and  Wm.  Berry,  1870  ; Joseph  C. 
Smith,  1871;  Wm.  H.  Ives,  1874;  Spencer  M.  Goodson,  1875; 
Wm.  H.  Ives  and  S.  M.  Goodson,  1877 ; Joseph  Dawson,  1878. 


1^.  1 O G R A P H I C A L S K E T C PI  E S . 


WILLIAM  H.  IVES. 

The  ancestors  of  this  gentleman  were  early  residents  of  Salem, 
Mas.sachusetts.  His  grandfather,  Caj)t.  William  Ives,  was  born  in 
Salem,  and,  like  most  of  the  inhabitants  of  that  ancient  town,  fol- 
lowed the  sea  for  a liveliliood.  He  was  one  of  the  first  American 
navigators  to  make  the  passage  around  the  Cape  of  Good  Hope 
after  its  di-scovery  by  the  Dutcli.  William  Ives,  the  father  of  the 
subject  of  this  sketch,  lived  in  Salem  from  his  birth,  in  the  year 
1794,  till  his  death,  in  December,  1875.  When  a boy  he  learned 
the  i)rinting  trade,  and  for  half  a century  was  the  publisher  of  the 
Salem  <)hscrver,  a paper  which  he  founded  when  a young  man,  and 
which  .still  has  a vigorous  and  prosperous  existence.  He  was  also 
in  the  general  book-selling  and  i)ublishing  business,  and  the  firm 
of  W.  A S.  B.  Ives  was  the  best  known,  and  transacted  the  largest 
business,  of  any  in  that  l)riinch  of  trade  in  Es.sex  county.  Wil- 
liam Ives  married  Lucy  Gardner,  who  was  born  at  Hingham,  fif- 
teen miles  from  Boston,  and  was  the  daughter  of  I’crez  and  Silence 
Gardner.  Her  father,  I’erez  Gardner,  at  the  beginning  of  the  rev- 
olnticniary  war,  when  eighteen  years  old,  enlisted  in  the  American 
army,  and  fought  throughout  the  whole  of  the  war  with  Great 
Britain,  taking  part  in  several  battles.  He  afterwards  followed  for 
many  years  the  occupation  of  a bucket  and  box  maker. 

William  Hale  Ives,  the  third  of  a fiimily  of  eight  children,  of 
whom  .seven  are  now  living,  was  l)orn  at  Salem,  .Massachusetts,  Jan- 
uary 17th,  1829.  He  was  raised  in  his  native  town,  and  went  to 
school  to  I’enjamin  Greenleaf,  the  author  of  Greenleaf’s  Aritlime- 
tic  and  oth<  r w(  11-known  mathematical  works.  When  a boy  he 
picked  up  the  printer’s  trade  in  his  father’s  ofiice.  In  1844,  when 


fifteen,  he  went  to  sea.  He  shij>ped  as  a boy  before  the  mast  in  the 
old  ship  “ Exchange,”  which  carried  a cargo  of  ice  to  the  East 
Indies,  said  to  be  the  first  ice  ever  shipped  to  that  part  of  the  world 
as  a commercial  venture.  The  vessel  touched  at  Calcutta,  Bombay 
and  other  East  Indian  ports,  and  the  whole  voyage  required  about 
a year.  His  second  voyage  was  on  the  “ Thomas  Perkins,”  the  first 
American  ship  to  enter  the  port  of  Aracan,  from  which  place  they 
proceeded  to  Singapore,  Amoy,  Manilla,  Batavia  and  other  ports  in 
East  India  and  China.  At  Manilla  he  was  sick  a considerable 
time  with'  the  small-pox.  Another  voyage  was  made  to  the  ports  of 
the  Mediterranean  ; while  lying  at  Messina,  an  outbreak  against 
the  government  occurred  on  shore,  which  resulted  in  great  blood- 
shed and  loss  of  life.  He  was  one  of  the  crew  of  a vessel  which 
sailed  from  Boston  to  Vera  Cruz  at  the  close  of  the  Mexican  war 
to  bring  home  a Massachusetts  regiment.  Leaving  the  vessel  at 
New  Orleams,  he  came  up  the  Mississippi  and  the  Ohio  to  Cincin- 
jiati.  This  was  in  1848.  He  remained  in  Cincinnati  only  a short 
time,  returned  to  New  Orleans  on  a llat-boat,  and,  sailing  from  New 
Orleans  to  Boston  in  the  ship  “ Desdemona,”  reached  home  on  his 
twentieth  birth-day. 

Alter  the  discovery  of  gold  in  California,  he  was  one  of  a j)arty 
of  fifty  who  bought  the  schooner  “Civilian,”  and  sailed  from  Bos- 
ton in  the  fall  of  1849  for  the  Pacific  coast.  He  pa.ssed  his  twenty- 
first  birth-day  off  (’ape  Horn,  and  reached  San  Francisco  in  the 
spring  of  1850.  He  remained  in  California  till  1852.  He  followed 
mining  six  or  seven  months,  most  of  the  time  at  Salmon  Falls.  He 
made  considerable  money,  but,  like  most  miners  in  those  California 
days,  his  money  went  as  freely  as  it  came.  He  left  mining  to  go 


Res.Of  JOHN  W.  MILLER,  SeC.I  5 ■ &feenwoodTp..(  II)  Fi.2  W.  Christian  Co., Ill 


■>avi. ' 


Farm  and  Res. of  JAMES  L.LAMB,  Sec.  30,  Johnson  Tr,  (12)  R.  2.^1.  Christian  Co., III. 


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HISTORY  OF  CHRISTIAN  COUNTY,  ILLINOIS. 


223 


into  the  office  of  the  Placer  Times,  a newspaper  published 
at  Sacramento  by  Pickering  & Lawrence.  His  first  position 
was  that  of  roller-boy,  from  which  he  was  rapidly  promoted  to  be 
manager  of  the  ]>aper.  He  was  in  San  Francisco  during  the  three 
great  fires  which  devastated  that  city  in  1850  and  1851.  He 
made  the  voyage  home  from  San  Francisco  to  Boston  in  the  ship 
“ Pacific.” 

After  trying  the  sea,  mining  and  journalism,  he  was  next  ready 
to  turn  his  hand  to  railroading.  He  was  one  of  fifty  young  men 
sent  out  from  Salem  by  David  A.  Neal,  vice  president  of  the  Illi- 
nois Central  railroad,  to  man  the  Illinois  Central  railroad  on  its 
opening  up  for  business  in  this  state.  He  had  charge  for  a year  of 
the  station  at  Monec,  thirty-five  miles  south  of  Chicago.  January 
17th,  1854,  while  at  Monee,  he  married  Mary  Walker.  She  was 
born  at  Troy,  New  York,  the  daughter  of  J.  S.  Walker  and  Mary 
Lindsley,  both  natives  of  New  Jersey.  The  father  moved  to  Chi- 
cago in  1848.  In  the  spring  of  1855  Es<j.  Ives  took  charge  of  a 
department  of  the  freight  business  of  the  Illinois  Central  road  in 
Chicago,  and  in  1856  engaged  in  the  printing  business  in  the  same 
city.  From  September,  1856,  till  1859,  he  lived  in  Cincinnati.  The 
latter  year  he  moved  to  New  Orleans,  and  was  eni])loyed  in  the 
Crescent  office  till  the  breaking  out  of  the  rebellion.  He  stayed  in 
New  Orleans  as  long  as  bethought  it  prudent  for  a Union  man  to 
remain,  and  a day  or  two  after  the  fall  of  Fort  Sumter  left  for  the 
North  on  the  “ A.  O.  Tyler,”  the  last  steamer  that  made  the  voy- 
age of  the  Mi.ssi.ssippi  without  interruption. 

Mrs.  Ives’  father  had  moved  to  Christian  county  in  1857,  and 
built  a saw-mill  iti  section  thirty-three  of  Johnson  township.  On 
coming  North,  Esq.  Ives,  with  his  family,  came  to  this  place,  where 
he  has  since  lived,  except  that  occasionally  he  has  worked  at  the 
printing  business  in  the  Cincinnati  Commercial  office,  of  the  print- 
ing department  of  which  paper  his  brother-in-law,  William  Porter, 
was  formerly  manager.  During  the  last  seven  years  he  has  resided 
continually  in  this  county.  Since  1873  he  has  filled  the  office  of 
justice  of  the  peace.  He  has  been  a member  of  the  republican 
party  since  its  organization.  Pie  has  two  children  living,  William 
and  Raymond,  and  two  deceased.  His  career  has  partaken  more 
largely  of  adventure  than  that  of  most  men,  and  his  travels  have 
extended  to  distant  quarters  of  the  globe.  Mrs.  Ives’  father,  J.  S. 
Walker,  died  in  this  county  in  1866. 


WILLIAM  S.  BERRY— (Deceased). 

Mr.  Berry  was  one  of  the  old  settlers  of  Johnson  township. 
He  was  born  on  the  26th  of  February,  1826,  in  the  state  of  Ken- 
tucky. His  father  died  when  Mr.  Berry  was  a small  child.  After 
her  husband’s  death  his  mother  came  with  the  children  to  Illinois, 
and  settled  in  Montgomery  county,  near  Hillsboro,  where  she  mar- 
ried, as  her  second  husband,  Isaac  Osborn.  The  family  came  to 
this  state  in  1828,  when  Mr.  Berry  was  two  years  old.  When  he 
was  ten  or  twelve  his  stepfather  died,  leaving  the  family  without 
sufficient  means  of  support.  Being  the  oldest  of  the  seven  children, 
with  which  his  mother  was  left  after  the  death  of  her  second  hus- 
band, as  soon  as  he  was  old  enough  he  took  charge  of  the  family. 
In  the  fall  of  1850  he  came  to  Christian  county.  The  succeeding 
winter  he  lived  with  an  uncle,  in  what  is  now  Locust  township,  and 
in  the  spring  of  1851,  having  bought  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres 
of  land,  he  settled  in  Johnson  township,  on  the  place  where  he 
lived  till  his  death,  and  where  his  widow  still  resides.  He  was  mar- 
ried on  the  19th  of  January,  1854,  to  Sarah  A.  Rape,  who  was 
born  in  Sangamon  county,  November  21st,  1831.  Her  father, 
Peter  Rape,  was  born  near  Nashville,  Tennessee ; married  Sarah 


\ iles ; emigrated  to  Illinois,  and  settled  on  Horse  Creek,  twelve 
miles  south-east  of  Springfield.  He  was  one  of  the  pioneer  settlers 
of  Sangamon  county.  Mr.  Berry  owned  a farm  in  Johnson  town- 
ship of  two  hundred  and  thirty-seven  acres.  He  died  on  the  23d  of 
January,  1875.  He  was  a man  much  respected  for  his  many  good 
qualities  as  a neighbor  and  a citizen.  He  was  closely  identified 
with  the  affairs  of  Johnson  township,  and  filled  several  public 
offices,  always  with  credit  to  himself  and  to  the  satisfaction  of  the 
people.  He  was  elected  justice  of  the  peace,  but  resigned  after 
holding  the  office  a short  time ; he  represented  Johnson  township 
in  the  board  of  supervisors,  and  held  that  position  at  the  time  of 
his  death,  as  he  did  also  the  office  of  township  treasurer.  He  had 
always  been  a democrat  in  politics,  and  was  a member  of  the 
INIasonic  fraternity.  He  left  three  children.  The  oldest  daughter, 
Mary  N.,  married  Henry  Wilson,  and  is  living  in  Johnson  town- 
ship; George  F.,  since  1876,  has  been  a resident  of  Texas;  Ida  J., 
the  remaining  child,  married  Oliver  De  Motte,  and  is  living  in 
Johnson  township.  Since  her  husband’s  death  Mrs.  Berry  has  been 
managing  the  farm,  with  the  exception  of  one  year,  when  she  re- 
.sided  in  Taylorville. 

W.  T.  FUNDERBURK. 

Mr.  Funderburk  is  a native  of  Christian  county.  The  family 
is  of  German  descent.  His  great-grandfather  emigrated  to  this 
country,  and  settled  in  Tennessee.  His  grandfather,  Henry  Fun- 
derburk, was  a soldier  in  the  revolutionary  war,  and  moved  from 
Tennessee  to  Illinois  in  the  year  1814.  He  settled  in  Sangamon 
county  on  Horse  creek,  close  to  Cotton  Hill,  twelve  miles  south  of 
Spring-field.  That  part  of  Illinois  was  then  wild  and  unsettled,  in- 
habited by  Indians,  and  the  Funderburk  family  were  among  the 
early  pioneer  settlers.  James  Funderburk,  the  father  of  the  sub- 
ject of  this  sketch,  was  born  in  Tennessee,  and  was  four  years  old 
on  coining  to  Illinois.  He  was  married  in  Sangamon  county  to 
Nancy  Nelson,  who  was  also  a native  of  Tennessee,  and  came  to 
Illinois  about  the  same  time  with  the  Funderburks.  Her  parents 
were  from  Scotland.  Mr.  Funderburk’s  father  moved  from  Sanga- 
mon to  Christian  county  in  the  year  1838,  and  settled  on  the  farm, 
where  he  has  since  lived,  a mile  and  three-quarters  west  of  Taylor- 
ville. During  the  sixty-six  years  he  has  lived  in  Illinois,  he  has 
only  occupied  three  different  locations.  He  and  his  wife  are  still 
living  west  of  Taylorville,  at  an  advanced  age. 

W.  T.  Funderburk  was  born  on  the  farm  west  of  Taylorville, 
February  4th,  1840,  and  was  raised  in  that  part  of  the  county. 
He  was  married  on  the  7th  of  November,  1861,  to  Sarah  Ann 
Johnston,  the  daughter  of  Alexander  Johnston,  who  settled  in 
Johnson  township,  in  the  year  1854.  Mrs.  Funderburk  was  born 
in  Madison  county,  Ohio.  After  his  marriage  Mr.  Funderburk 
went  to  farming  for  himself  in  Taylorville  township,  and  in  1863 
moved  to  Johnson  township.  He  has  been  living  on  his  present  farm, 
which  lies  in  sections  three,  nine,  and  ten,  since  the  year  1873. 
He  built  an  attractive  and  substantial  residence,  a view  of  which 
appears  on  another  page,  among  our  illustrations.  In  politics  Mr. 
Funderburk  has  always  been  a democrat.  He  has  adhered  closely 
to  that  party,  and  has  always  voted  for  its  candidates.  His  father 
is  one  of  the  oldest  settlers  of  Christian  county,  and  few  men  have 
lived  in  the  state  for  a longer  period,  the  date  of  his  coming  to 
Illinois  reaching  back  four  years  before  the  admission  of  the  state 
into  the  Union. 


SAMUEL  LARGE 

Was  born  in  Queens  county,  Ireland,  within  thirty  miles  of  Dub- 
lin, July  14th,  1814.  The  family  emigrated  from  Ireland  to 


224 


HISTORY  OF  CHRISTIAN  COUNTY,  ILLINOIS. 


Canada  in  1824.  His  father  was  taken  sick  on  shipboard,  and  died 
in  Quebec  three  weeks  after  their  arrival.  The  rest  of  the  family 
lived  in  Upper  Canada,  near  Niagara  Falls,  till  1828,  and  then 
moved  to  Monroe  (now  Noble)  county,  Ohio.  The  subject  of  this 
sketch  was  married  in  1840,  to  Ellen  Guiler,  who  died  in  1849. 
H is  second  marriage  occurred  in  December,  1850,  to  Maria  Large. 
In  1856  he  came  to  Christian  county.  When  he  settled  on  the 
Buckeye  prairie  few  improvements  had  been  made  in  that  portion 
of  the  county,  and  between  his  residence  and  Pana,  twelve  miles, 
there  was  not  a single  house.  Mr.  Large  is  now  one  of  the  old 
residents  of  that  part  of  the  county.  He  w'as  first  a whig  in 
politics,  and  has  been  a republican  since  the  organization  of  the 
party.  For  forty-six  years  he  has  been  one  of  the  members  of  the 
Methodist  denomination,  and  was  one  of  the  founders  of  the  Buck- 
eye Church.  He  has  nine  children,  all  living  in  this  county.  He 
is  a man  who  has  made  his  w’ay  in  the  world  by  his  own  energy  ; 
he  began  life  by  working  for  six  dollars  a month,  and  with 
the  first  ten  dollars  saved  from  his  earnings  he  secured  the  right  to 
enter  a forty  acre  tract  of  land  in  Ohio,  and  from  this  small  start 
has  become  one  of  the  most  substantial  and  thrifty  farmers  of  this 
county. 


ENOCH  FLEMING. 

Was  born  in  Fayette  county,  of  this  state,  on  the  18th  of  December, 
1847.  His  father,  Willis  Fleming,  was  born  in  Tennessee,  came  to 
Illinois  about  1825,  settled  near  Vandalia,  married  Naomi  Van 
Winkle,  and  in  1852,  removed  to  Sangamon  county,  three  miles 
south-east  of  Springfield.  In  November,  1856,  the  family  settled 
in  Johnson  towmship  of  this  county.  Enoch  Fleming  was  the  fifth 
of  a family  of  fifteen  children.  He  was  nine  years  old  on  coming 
to  this  county.  He  was  married  on  the  25th  of  December,  1873,  to 
Martha  E.  Messenger,  who  was  born  at  Alton,  and  was  living  in 
Montgomery  county  at  the  time  of  her  marriage.  She  was  the 
daughter  of  William  Messenger.  Mr.  Fleming  has  taken  an  active 
interest  in  the  affairs  of  Johnson  township,  and  has  been  a warm 
democrat.  He  was  elected  constable  in  1869,  and  resigned  the 
position  two  years  afterwards.  In  1873  he  was  chosen  assessor. 
He  was  apj>ointed  town  clerk  to  fill  a vacancy  in  the  early  part  of 
1875,  and  the  spring  of  the  same  year  was  elected  to  the  position, 
and  re-elected  in  1876.  While  town  clerk  he  also  held  the  office 
of  towuiship  trustee.  He  w'as  elected  commissioner  of  highways  in 
the  spring  of  1878,  and  since  the  fall  of  1878  has  been  treasurer  of 
Johnson  township.  The  number  of  positions  to  which  he  has  been 
elected  shows  the  estimation  in  which  he  is  held  in  Johnson  township. 


BEAE  CEEEK  TOWNSHIP. 


that  portion  of  territory  lying  in  the  south-west- 
rn  portion  of  the  county,  in  its  earlier  history 
as  called  Bear  Creek.  Since  that  time,  with  the 
icrease  from  emigration,  it  has  been  divided  into  pre- 
cincts and  townships  for  the  public  convenience.  A stream  called 
Bear  Creek,  a tributary  of  the  Sangamon,  traverses  it,  and  from  it 
that  portion  of  the  county  received  its  name.  Tradition  has  it  that 
in  early  times  bears  abounded  in  this  region,  and  that  in  a grand 
bear  hunt  one  of  the  bruin  tribe  was  killed  on  this  water  course, 
and  that  this  circum.stance  gave  rise  to  the  name  of  the  stream. 
This  j)ortion  of  the  territory,  before  the  organization  of  the  county, 
belonged  to  and  formed  a part  of  Montgomery  county.  Some  of  its 
officers,  as  Justices  of  the  Peace,  and  Constables,  were  elected  whilst 
under  the  jurisdiction  of  Montgomery  county.  Joseph  P.  Durbin 
and  Richard  Simpson  were  the  two  acting  justices  of  the  precinct, 
before  whose  courts  many  a young  couple  were  made  happy  at 
the  Hymeneal  altar;  whilst  others,  offenders  of  justice,  were  made 
to  feel  the  stern  rigors  of  a violated  law.  Bear  Creek,  as  organ- 
ized, constituU'S  congressional  townshij)  12  N.,  Range  3 W. 

KAHI.Y  SKrri.KHS. 

The  first  .settlers  of  Bear  Creek  were  Joseph  1’.  Durbin, 
James  M.  Logsdon,  his  brother-in-law,  Nathan  I’ainter,  and 
old  Grandfather  Durbin,  the  father  of  Joscj)h  P.  Durbin,  who,  with 
their  families,  catne  in  182f>.  I'lie  year  following  came  Sylvester 
I )urbin,  Nathan  Durbin,  and  I*liili|>  Durbin.  The  “ well-digger,” 
old  William  Durbin  and  'J’honuus  Durbin  with  their  families. 
These  pioneers  found  the  county  in  its  wild  native  state.  The 


grass  and  rank  weeds  grew  higher  than  a man’s  head ; in  the  fall, 
when  dry  and  on  fire,  presented  at  night  a grand  and  magnificent 
sight.  The  fires  were  often  destructive,  sweeping  in  their  path  fences, 
houses,  barns,  and  stacks  of  grain  and  hay.  The  deer  and  other 
wild  animals  could  be  seen  fleeing  before  the  lurid  flames.  In  the 
earlier  years  grapes,  plums,  and  other  wild  fruits  were  in  great 
abundance.  Bee-trees  afforded  a bountiful  supply  of  honey ; it 
seemed  truly  that  they  had  reached  the  “ land  flowing  with  milk 
and  honey.”  But  it  had  its  disadvantages;  there  were  no  schools, 
no  churches,  no  milling  facilities,  no  trading  establishments,  no 
blacksmith  shops.  To  secure  many  of  these  necessaries  and  com- 
forts the  settler  had  to  travel  many  miles.  These  pioneers,  who 
settled  along  Bear  Creek,  cleared  small  farms  in  the  edge  of  the 
timber.  At  that  period  they  did  not  realize  the  fact  that  the  prai- 
ries could  be  successfully  cultivated.  But  after  a few  years  resi- 
dence this  delusion  was  removed,  and  some  of  the  more  resolute 
pushed  out  on  the  prairies,  .\mongthem  was  Thomas  Durbin,  who 
first  settled  the  Robert  McCollum  place.  During  the  deep  snow 
he  would  go  into  the  timber  and  cut  down  large  elm  trees  for 
his  stock  to  browse  upon,  the  stuin[)s  of  which  were  six  or  seven 
feet  high,  and  which  were  visible  for  years  afterward,  and  served  as 
old  laml-marks  of  the  dei)th  of  the  snow  on  that  memorable  occa- 
sion. The  deer  were  driven  in  from  sheer  hunger,  and  often  fed 
with  the  cattle.  Nathan  Durbin  and  old  William  Durbin  subse- 
quently settled  on  the  prairie,  on  the  oast  side  of  Bear  Creek,  a 
short  distance  above  Bond's  Point.  There  were  other  settlers  on 
the  west  side  of  the  creek.  Of  tlic.-^e  may  be  mentioned  Joseph  P. 
Durbin,  James  Logsdon,  Christopher  Durbin  and  Nathan  Painter. 


HISTORY  OF  CHRISTIAN  COUNTY,  ILLINOIS. 


225 


'1  he  latter  planted  a row  of  peach  trees  on  the  west  side,  near  E. 
T.  Leigh’s  j)resent  residence,  nearly  fifty  years  ago.  Other  early 
settlers  were  Walter  Clark  and  John  Baker,  who  came  in  1831  ; 
later  Col.  Thos.  B.  Bond,  Gabriel  R.  Jernigan,  Alfred  Currie, 
Robert  McCollum,  Lewis  H.  Jernigan,  William  Currie,  whose  wife 
was  the  mother  of  the  Jernigans ; William  S.  Ricks,  Solomon 
Meads,  and  Hiram  Glass,  and  Lewis  Elliott  in  1835-6.  Thomas 
Anderson  settled  on  Sec.  15,  in  March,  1837.  The  Anderson  Log 
Church  and  old  grave-yard  w’ere  on  this  tract.  A little  below  it, 
in  the  ravine,  was  started  the  first  distillery  on  Bear  Creek.  Wm. 
C & R O.  Warren  came  in  1838.  This  was  an  encouraging  occa- 
sion to  the  new  settlement.  Bright  as  were  their  prospects  the 
women  folks  were  discontented  and  lonesome  in  their  new  homes, 
and  were  desirous  to  return  to  the  older  settlements.  Their  hus- 
bands promised  to  accede  to  their  wishes  when  they  could  sell  their 
land  for  three  dollars  and  fifty  cents  an  acre.  In  this  they  felt 
secure ; the  want  of  postal  and  other  conveniences  for  news,  added 
not  a little  to  their  discontent.  If  they  wanted  to  hear  from  their 
Kentucky  or  Tennessee  friends,  or  mail  a letter  to  them,  they  had 
only  to  ride  down  to  the  Alton  post-office,  about  fifty  miles.  There 
were  no  greenbacks  and  less  hard  money  in  those  days. 

Hiram  Glass  was  a house-carpenter — a very  necessary  adjunct 
in  a new’  settlement.  He  married  Miss  Nancy  Currie,  and  survived 
the  union  but  a few  years,  dying  in  1842 — his  widow  subsequently 
married  James  Phillips.  The.se  parties  owned  a farm  a little  dis- 
tance north-west  of  the  present  site  of  Palmer.  Robert  McCollum’s 
wife  was  formerly  a Miss  Margaret  Jernigan.  He  died  about  three 
years  after  emigrating  to  the  county.  His  consort  was  afterward 
twice  married,  and  is  still  living,  and  is  known  as  the  widow  Mills. 
William  Currie  settled  on  John  Baker’s  improvement  some  three 
miles  north-west  of  the  present  village  of  Palmer.  His  sou,  Alfred 
Currie,  improved  a farm  about  a mile  and  a half  north-w’est  of 
Clarksdale.  Subsequently  Henry  Elgan  lived  on  the  place.  Col. 
Bond  settled  at  a point  of  timber  on  Sec.  23;  the  place  is  now’ 
owned  by  James  i\I  Simpson  The  farm  was  fiimiliarly  called 
Bond’s  Point.  At  an  early  period  the  first  post-office  established 
on  Bear  Creek,  was  known  by  that  name.  It  was  a noted  place  for 
the  weary  traveler  to  lodge ; and  its  popular  proprietor  was  equally 
noted  for  his  generous  hospitality.  He  too  buried  two  wives  in 
the  old  Bear  Creek  cemetery.  His  third  wife  was  formerly  a 
Miss  Nuckols  of  Sugar  creek,  Sangamon  county  ; but  when  he  mar- 
ried her  she  was  the  widow  Graham.  He  moved  to  Sangamon 
county  and  settled  at  Auburn,  and  in  December,  1^79,  he  was 
killed  by  an  accident  on  the  Chicago  and  Alton  railroad,  near  Ber- 
dan in  Greene  county,  Illinois.  William  S Ricks,  another  pioneer, 
lived  on  Sec.  34,  near  the  head  of  the  Bear  Creek  timber.  His 
“ latch  string  ” was  always  out,  and  his  home  a notable  stopping- 
place,  and  his  hospitality  unbounded.  The  farm  is  now  owned  by 
John  Hawk,  an  old  Virginian.  Wm.  H.  Graham,  the  former 
husband  of  the  widow  of  the  late  Col.  Bond,  an  early  settler,  was 
drowned  in  the  South  Fork,  near  “ Half  Acre,”  on  the  4th  of 
July,  1844.  The  first  child  born  on  Bear  ' Creek  ( outside  of  the 
Durbin  connection)  was  Mary  Currie,  daughter  of  Alfred  Currie. 

^ She  became  the  wife  of  Edward  Leigh.  She  was  born  in  Walter 
Clark’s  cabin,  on  Christmas  eve,  1835,  when  the  families  were  all 
huddled  in  one  room. 

The  first  male  child  born  was  William  A.  McCollum,  on  the  1st 
of  April,  1838.  A good  anecdote  is  related  of  two  of  these  pioneer 
women.  Mrs.  Myra  J.  Bond,  wife  of  the  late  Col.  B.,  when  she 
arrived  in  her  new  home,  had  but  little  conception  of  the  responsi- 
bilities of  housekeeping.  She  had  been  reared  in  a slave  state ; 
knew  nothing  about  cooking,  had  never  prepared  a meal’s  victuals  in 
29 


her  life.  To  be  thrown  thus  on  the  wilds  of  the  prairie,  to  cook 
and  provide  for  her  family,  was  a trying  situation  And  her  neigh- 
bor, Mrs.  Margaret  McCollum,  was  not  much  more  skilled  in 
culinary  matters.  Neither  of  them  had  ever  seen  a squash,  much  less 
cooked  one,  before  coming  to  Illinois  The  neighbors  all  bore  testi- 
mony to  the  good  qualities  of  this  prairie  vegetable  ; they  procured 
one  from  the  fields  and  without  any  instruction  or  preparation,  went 
brav’ely  to  work  to  cook  it.  They  knew  it  had  to  be  baked,  so  they 
covered  it  up  with  hot  ashes  in  the  huge  fire-j)lace  ; seeds  and  all 
in  it,  as  it  had  grown.  It  was  a new  and  novel  plan  in  cooking 
squashes,  but  .savored  a little  too  much  of  the  .seeds  and  other 
trimmings. 

Apropos  to  Mrs.  Mills’  story  of  cooking  is  the  anecdote  related 
of  several  families  of  the  Smith  connection  ; who  moved  at  an 
early  day  from  “ Ingianny,”  and  settled  on  the  head-waters  of 
Brush  creek.  Their  principal  occupation  for  the  first  year  or  two, 
was  eating  watermelons  and  shaking  with  the  ague  They  had 
never  been  accustomed  to  luxuries,  and  some  of  them  had  never 
seen,  much  less  tasted  coffee,  and  these  women  did  not  know  how 
to  make  use  of  it.  A peddler  came  along  and  sold  Mrs.  L.  some 
coffee  ; intent  on  a nice  surprise  to  her  husband,  with  this  new 
dainty  for  his  dinner,  she  put  the  whole  purchase  in  the  pot  and 
boiled  it  with  the  beef! 

July  14th,  1832,  Jesse  Agee  entered  the  first  land  in  this  town- 
ship, on  S.  E.  1 N.  E.  1 of  section  9,  40  acres  November  20th, 
1835,  Mathew  Newkirk  entered  sev’eral  hundred  acres  on  different 
sections  in  the  township.  Thomas  P.  Bond  entered  S.  W.  I of 
section  34,  160  acres,  December  9th,  1835. 

MILLS  AND  MILLING. 

The  first  settlers  were  greatly  inconvenienced  for  the  want  of 
milling  facilities  ; they  had  to  go  thirty  or  forty  miles  to  mill  ; 
during  the  “ deep  snow  ” they  were  cut  off,  and  hemmed  in  on  all 
sides.  The  improvised  wooden  mortar  by  which  they  crushed  the 
corn,  answered  the  purpose  only  temporarily  ; corn  meal  was  the 
main  staff  of  life.  In  tliis  extremity,  Esquire  Joseph  P.  Durbin 
secured  and  dressed  a pair  of  mill-stones,  from  two  “ lost  rocks  ” 
found  on  the  prairie,  supposed  to  have  been  hurled  from  some  un- 
known planet.  He  then  rigged  up  a horse-mill  that  did  good 
service.  It  was  one  of  the  wonders  of  Bear  Creek.  The  patrons 
of  the  mill  had  to  furnish  their  own  motive  power  by  hitching  on 
their  own  teams. 

R.  O.  and  W.  C.  Warriner  erected  a saw  mill  on  Bear  Creek 
in  1838.  It  was  located  due  west  from  Palmer,  and  was  propelled 
by  water-power.  During  the  years  1838-’9,  a large  amount  of 
lumber  was  sawed,  and  carted  to  Springfield,  where  a ready  market 
was  found.  The  mill  was  sold  to  Le  Roy  Hill,  of  Sangamon 
county,  and  by  bim  to  others.  In  1840,  the  dam  was  destroyed 
and  never  after  repaired. 

The  Warriners  were  the  first  merchants  in  the  south-west 
of  the  county.  They  first  sold  goods  in  part  of  Col.  Bond’s  new 
house  ; afterwards  built  a small  store-room  on  tbe  banks  of  Bear 
Creek,  where  they  sold  goods  while  operating  the  mill.  It  was 
subsequently  occupied  by  Joel  Traylor  as  a dwelling. 

The  first  distillery  in  the  county  was  established  on  Bear  Creek, 
by  John  Baker  in  1835.  He  disposed  of  it  to  James  Logsdon  in 
1837,  and  Log.sdon  traded  it  to  Esquire  Joseph  P.  Durbin.  It  was 
first  located  in  the  ravine,  on  the  east  side  of  the  creek,  close  by 
the  old  log-church  and  grave-yard.  But  when  it  became  the 
property  of  Esquire  Durbin,  he  moved  it  across  the  creek,  near  to 
his  own  residence.  Its  chief  attractions  were  drinking,  horse- 
racing, shooting  matches  and  general  carousing. 


226 


HISTORY  OF  CHRISTIAN  COUNTY,  ILLINOIS. 


Early  Preachiny  and  Churches. — As  early  as  1836,  Rev.  Richard 
Bird,  of  the  Methodist  denomination.  Rev.  Joel  Knight  and  Rev. 
J.  W.  Bone,  of  the  Cumberland  Presbyterian  Church,  preached  to 
the  Bear  Creek  settlers.  Revs.  Isaac  Haines,  Henry  F.  Luckett, 
A.  M.  Wilson  and  Joseph  Barlow,  also  preached  at  an  early  date. 
The  first  Protestant  sermon  preached  in  Bear  Creek,  was  in  the  sum- 
mer of  1836,  by  Rev.  Richard  Bird,  in  a grove  on  Alfred  Currie’s 
farm,  lately  owned  by  Henry  Elgau. 

Rev.  Joel  Knight  was  the  first  Cumberland  Presbyterian  preacher 
in  this  settlement,  in  1837.  The  services  were  held  in  Col.  Bond’s 

cabin.  Rev.  A.  M.  Wilson  and  Rev. Trauber,  of  this  faith, 

also  preached  in  Col.  Bond’s  cabin,  in  1837-’8. 

Rev.  Richard  Bird  organized  the  first  Methodist  society  in  1836, 
which  was  the  first  church  organized  in  Bear  Creek. 

Rev.  Joel  Knight  eflected  a temporary  organization  of  a C.  P. 
Society  in  March,  1841,  composed  of  six  members,  with  James  H. 
Bovd  as  ruling  elder,  but  it  was  not  officially  organized  by  the  Pres- 
bytery until  1844. 

There  was  a log-church  built  on  the  east  side  of  the  creek,  about 
1838  or  ’39.  In  this  church,  in  1842,  the  first  Sunday-school  in 
the  county  was  organized.  James  H.  Boyd  was  the  superintendent, 
aud  Thomas  P.  Bond,  secretary  and  librarian. 

Harper  s Ferry  was  the  name  of  a little  town  or  trading-post, 
located  on  the  east  side  of  Bear  Creek,  near  the  Jernigan  bridge,  on 
the  old  Edwardsville  road.  It  was  the  first  town  on  the  creek,  and 
was  a point  of  some  importance.  It  had  a post-office,  stores  and 
saloons.  M.  Leberman,  of  Morrisonville,  was  the  principal 

merchant.  He  kept  a general  stock  of  dry-goods  and  groceries. 
They  all  flourislied  and  were  well  patronized,  but  as  the  new  towns 
along  the  railroads  sprang  up  the  merchants  abandoned  it,  and 
sought  better  locations. 

These  are  the  important  incidents  in  its  earlier  history.  But  with 
the  tide  of  emigration  this  section  of  the  county  has  rapidly  filled 
up.  New  interests  have  been  developed  and  lands  have  greatly 
advanced. 

The  i)recincts  of  “ Lower  ” and  “ Uj)per  ” Bear  Creek  have  been 
superseded  by  township  organization,  and  with  the  new  order  of 
arrangements,  Ikar  Creek,  Ricks  and  King  townships  cover  the 
old  territory  with  their  business  population.  With  the  opening  of 
the  Wabash  railway,  the  flourishing  towns  of  Clarksdale,  Palmer, 
Morrisonville  and  Harvel,  have  become  towns  of  no  little  importance. 

Ituprored  Stock. — Among  those  who  introduced  the  first  improved 
cattle  and  hogs  in  this  township,  were  ,T.  C.  Dodson  and  George 
Armitage.  The  breed  was  Short-horn  cattle  and  Berkshire  hogs. 
The  first  thoroughbred  horses  and  graded  sheep  were  brought  in  by 
J.  .M.  Simpson.  Bear  (.'reck  has  many  well  improved  farms,  among 
wliich  may  be  mentioned  tliose  of  J.  C.  Dodson,  Fletcher  Haines, 
J.  M.  Simjjson,  E.  T.  I>eigh,  George  E.  IMaxon,  George  Morgan, 
George  Armitage,  and  Wm.  Kline. 

In  the  illustrated  department  of  this  work,  the  reader  may  sec 
several  fine  views  of  farms  in  Bear  Creek.  As  this  is  one  of  the 
early  settled  localities  of  the  county,  much  of  its  early  history  ap- 
pears in  the  chapter  on  |)ionccrs  and  early  settlers. 

The  following  is  a list  of  officers  since  townshij)  organization  : 

Supcrvlsar.1. — James  II.  Hill,  elected  1866,  re-elected  1867, ’68 
and  '69;  A.  L.  Clark,  1870,  re-elected  1871  ; E.  T.  Leigh,  1872; 
A-  L.  Clark,  1873;  Henry  Mundhenkc,  1874  ; and  has  held  the 
office  by  re-election  up  to  the  ])rc.scnt  time. 

Assessors. — A.  L.  Clark,  1876,  rc-clcctcd  1877;  Ja.s.  H.  Si.sna, 
1878;  N.  D.  Hill,  1879,  rc-elceted  1880. 

Collectors. — Afldist)!!  L.  Clark,  elected  1866,  re-elected  1867,  ’68 
and  ’69;  .Tames  L.  Clark,  1870,  rc-cle(;tcd  1871;  A.  «S.  Clark, 


1872;  H.  Mundhenke,  1873;  A.  E.  Boyd,  1874;  M.  E. 
.Johnson,  187.5,  re-elected  1876;  J.  C.  Dodson,  1877;  James  B. 
McGinnis,  1878  ; M.  E.  Johnson,  1879 ; .Tames  W.  Leigh,  1880. 

Town  Clerk. — Benford  Stanley,  1876;  John  A.  Weeks,  1877,  re- 
elected  1878  ; L.  D.  Potter,  1879,  re-elected  1880. 

Commissioner  of  Highicays. — V.  E.  Davis,  1876;  R.  E.  Hill, 
1877  ; James  Conover,  1878 ; R.  E.  Hill,  and  S.  W.  Hawkins, 
1879  ; B.  F.  Parish,  1880. 

Constables. — T.  P.  Dunning  and  John  T.  Allen,  elected  in  1873  ; 
Miles  E.  Johnson,  1874;  John  T,  Allen,  re-elected  1877;  H.  W. 
Johnson,  elected  1877. 

Justice  of  the  Peace. — Henry  Mundhenke,  elected  in  1866;  Henry 
Mundhenke,  re-elected  ’70;  William  Logsdon,  ’70;  J.  B.  Sullivan 
and  .Jessie  Elgan,  ’73  ; E.  K.  Brock  and  Charles  A.  Clark,  ’74 ; R. 
E.  O'Neil  and  M.  D.  Hill,  ’77  ; Robert  E.  O’Neil  and  Joel  P. 
Speer,  ’79. 

CLARKSDALE 

Is  situated  on  section  thirteen  of  this  township,  on  the  line  of  the 
Wabash,  St.  Louis  and  Pacific  Railroad,  about  five  miles  south- 
west of  Taylorville.  It  was  named  in  honor  of  Y.  B.  Clark,  one  of 
the  original  proprietors.  It  was  laid  out  by  Y.  B.  Clark,  aud 
platted  by  Richard  Powel,  in  1871.  It  has  about  one  hundred 
and  fifty  population. 

The  po.st-office  was  established  in  1870.  The  post-masters  have 
been  L.  Park,  E.  K.  Brock,  G.  Walton,  C.  A.  Clark,  aud  W.  M. 
Gladish. 

A flouring  mill  known  as  the  “ Clarksdale  Mill,”  was  erected  in 
1872,  by  Y.  B.  Clark,  with  a run  of  three  burr.  It  was  burned  by 
an  incendiary  in  May,  1876. 

The  school-house  is  a one  story  frame  building,  erected  in  1871, 
by  direction  of  Y.  B.  Clark,  E.  K.  Brock,  and  S.  W.  Hawkins. 
Below  is  a list  of  the  present  business  houses. 

Elevator  owned  and  02)crated  by  S.  S.  Sprague  & Co.,  has  a ca- 
pacity of  20,000  bushels  small  grain. 

General  Stores. — Wm.  INI.  Gladish,  Parrish  & Park. 

Drug  Store. — Dr.  Geo.  Walton. 

Physicians. — Geo.  Walton,  E.  K.  Fletcher. 

Blacksmith  and  Wagon  Afaking. — G.  Parrish  & Bro. 

Blacksmith. — P.  Ring. 

Hotel. — Charles  Morey. 

PALMER. 

This  is  the  largest  town  between  Morrisonville  and  the  county 
seat.  It  is  located  on  section  27,  of  Bear  Creek  township.  The 
Wabash,  St-  L.  A P.  Railway  passes  through  the  south-east  part  of 
the  town. 

It  was  laid  out  in  the  sj)ring  of  1869,  by  J.  II.  Boyd  and  J.  M. 
Simj)son,  ])roprictors,  and  was  surveyed  and  j)latted  by  Richard  M. 
Powel  The  first  store-house  was  erected  by  Boyd  A Simpson,  and 
Starke  A Hailey  put  in  a stock  of  general  goods.  The  first  house 
erected  was  a hotel  by  J.  H.  Boyd,  whose  residence  was  also  inside 
the  town  limits,  when  laid  out.  James  McCauley  built,  and  opened 
the  second  store,  with  a general  stock  of  goods.  During  this  year, 

1869,  the  town  was  built  up  rapidly,  and  has  grown  but  little  since. 
It  has  about  four  hundred  inhabitants. 

The  .school-house  was  built  in  1870.  It  is  a neat  and  well  fur- 
nished two  story  buililing,  with  two  rooms.  The  school  is  a graded 
one,  emi)loying  two  teachers.  The  post-office  was  established  in 

1870,  and  G.  E.  Starke  was  the  first  po.st-mastcr.  Since  then,  the 
following  men  have  had  the  office:  J.  W.  McCauley,  V.  E Davis, 
W.  P.  Crockett,  A.  E.  Boyd,  G.  H.  Vanarsdale. 

The  Christian  Church  was  the  first  erected,  which  was  in  1870, 


Ubrwj 
•f  the 

of  nn„^ 


MAPLE  GROVE"  The  Stock  Farm  & Residence  o f J . C . D 0 D SON,  Sec.  8,  T.I2,  R.3,  { Beap  Cheek  Tp.,)  Christian  Co.,  III. 


HISTORY  OF  CHRISTIAN  COUNTY,  ILLINOIS. 


227 


at  a cost  of  S1400.  The  Cumberland  Presbyterian  Church  was 
built  in  1874,  and  cost  $1900. 

The  following  is  a list  of  the  present  business  houses  in  the  town. 

ELEVATOR. 

J.  H.  Boyd’s  elevator  was  erected  in  1877.  It  is  constructed  for 
handling  all  kinds  of  grain,  and  has  a capacity  of  4500  bushels. 

Palmer  mill  and  elevator  was  built  by  J.  H.  Boyd,  in  1871,  with 
one  burr-run.  The  property  was  purchased,  and  the  mill  re-mod- 
eled, and  two  burrs  added,  in  1876,  by  W.  A.  Crowder  & Co.,  the 
present  owners.  The  elevator  has  a capacity  of  15,000  bushels. 

Phijsicians. — J.  J.  Conner,  J.  W.  Petrie. 

Groceries  and  Hardware — T.  J.  Hailey,  J.  C.  Dodson,  R.  O. 
Suiter. 

Restaurant. — L D.  Potter. 

Restaurant  and  Barber  Shop. — T.  J.  Lautz. 


Dry  Goods  and  Clothing. — W.  L.  Long,  D.  T.  Price, 

Drug  Store. — G.  H.  Vanarsdale,  I.  N.  Tice. 

Lumber  Yard. — J.  H.  Boyd. 

Harness  Shop. — J.  M.  Potter. 

Shoe  Shop. — C.  N.  Peterson. 

Millinery  Shop. — Mrs.  S.  J.  Higgins. 

Batcher  Shops. — Benj.  Pearch,  Win.  Bock. 

Blacksmith  Shoj>s.—,J.  R Fitch,  W.  M.  Stam,  Fred.  Wucherp- 
fennig. 

Wagon  Shops. — J.  R.  Fitch,  J.  M.  Barnes. 

Coffin  Shop. — J.  B.  McGinnis. 

Saloons. — Phillip  Stadler,  P.  J.  Cunningham. 

HOTELS. 

Bowlsby  House,  J.  H.  Bowlsby,  proprietor. 

Palmer  House,  D.  A.  Kauerauf,  proprietor. 




BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES. 


E.  T.  LEIGH 

Is  one  of  the  old  and  prominent  settlers  of  Christian  county. 
The  Leigh  family  were  originally  from  Virginia  He  is  a native 
of  Prince  Edward  county,  and  was  born  July  27, 1816.  His  father 
was  a soldier  of  the  war  of  1812,  and  held  a major’s  commission. 
He  met  with  severe  losses  in  the  destruction  of  his  property  by  lire, 
which  had  the  effect  of  reducing  him  in  a financial  point  of  view. 
He  married  Martha  Thomerson,  a native  also  of  Virginia.  He 
came  west  in  1822,  and  located  in  Madison  county,  where  he  re- 
mained eleven  years,  then  moved  to  Macoupin  county,  where  he 
stayed  until  1839,  when  he  came  to  Christian  county,  and  settled  in 
Bear  Creek  township,  where  E.  T.  Leigh  now  n sides.  He  purchased 
120  acres,  and  his  sons  entered  more.  Here  he  remained  until  his 
death.  There  were  eleven  children  in  the  family.  The  subject  of 
this  sketch  is  the  only  survivor  of  the  family.  His  education  in  his 
youth  was  very  imperfect  and  insutRcient,  as  compared  with  that 
which  is  given  the  youth  of  to-day,  but  with  all  these  disadvantages 
he  acquired  a knowledge  of  the  rudimentary  principles,  and  being 
of  an  observant  mind,  and  very  fond  of  reading  and  books,  he  soon 
grew  to  be  a man  of  considerable  information,  and  now  we  find  him 
Avell  posted  on  current  events  and  well  informed  upon  all  questions 
of  a public  nature.  In  the  fall  of  1839  he  entered  forty  acres  of 
land,  which  he  still  owns.  To  this  original  forty  acres  he  has  added 
until  he  has  a fine  large  farm,  and  is  regarded  as  one  of  the  wealthy 
land  owners  of  Christian  county.  His  home  farm  is  one  of  the  best 
improved  in  the  township.  He  has  given  to  his  children  consider- 
able land,  but  still  possesses  enough  to  rank  him  among  the  large 
farmers  of  his  township  and  county. 

On  the  15th  of  February,  1841,  he  married  Mary  Ann  Hill.  She 
is  a native  of  Kentucky,  and  came  to  Illinois  with  her  father’s 
family  in  1837.  She  was  a resident  of  the  neighborhood  at  the 
time  of  her  marriage.  There  have  been  ten  children  born  to  them, 
all  of  whom  are  living,  and  all  have  reached  maturity.  Five  of 
them  are  married ; the  balance  are  yet  beneath  the  parental  roof. 
All  are  living  in  the  neighborhood  within  a short  distance  from 
their  home  and  birth-place. 


In  politics,  Mr.  Leigh  was  originally  a Henry  Clay  whig,  and 
was  in  favor  of  the  emancipation  of  the  slaves.  He  fought  the 
system  of  slavery,  yet  he  was  not  in  the  strict  sense  of  the  word  an 
abolitionist.  He  believed  with  Clay  in  the  gradual  emancipation 
scheme  and  policy.  After  the  abandonment  of  the  whig  party,  he 
joined  the  young  republican  organization,  and  from  that  time  to  the 
present  he  has  been  a stalwart,  uncompromising  and  active  member 
of  that  political  party.  He  is  an  enthusiastic  worker,  and  takes  a 
prominent  part  in  all  the  local,  county  and  state  contests.  His  long 
residence  in  the  county,  knowledge  of  men  and  their  wants,  together 
with  his  extensive  information  upon  political  matters,  all  conspire 
to  make  him  a man  whose  advice  and  counsel  is  almost  invaluable, 
and  his  support  a necessity.  He  had  the  honor  of  representing  his 
township  in  the  Board  of  Supervisors,  and  while  a member  was  veiy 
useful  and  industrious  in  looking  after  the  county’s  interests.  He 
took  strong  grounds  against  the  payment  of  high  salaries  to  county 
officers,  and  through  his  exertions  and  personal  efforts  they  were 
reduced,  thereby  saving  a considerable  amount  to  the  county  each 
year.  In  all  needed  reforms  he  took  an  active  part.  He  was 
always  found  voting  on  the  side  of  the  people,  and  legislating  in  the 
interests  of  the  many,  and  not  in  the  interests  of  the  few.  His  busi- 
ness in  life  has  been  that  of  a farmer  and  stock  raiser.  In  swine 
breeding,  raising  and  shipping,  he  perhaps  has  been  the  most  exten- 
sive in  the  county.  It  is  not  necessary  for  us  to  say  that  he  has 
been  successful.  He  possesses  the  evidences  of  that  around  him. 
He  started  in  life  poor,  and  what  he  has  is  the  accumulation  of  in- 
dustry, economical  habits,  good  management  and  the  exercise  of 
sound  common  sense.  He  has  sufiered  a great  deal  from  sickness. 
In  1868,  he  was  stricken  with  paralysis.  He  spent  large 
sums  of  money,  and  visited  several  places  seeking  medical  relief,  and 
finally  regained  his  health.  This  in  brief  is  a biographical  sketch 
of  “ Uncle  T.  Leigh,”  as  he  is  familiarly  called  among  his  old 
acquaintances.  He  is  a man  of  generous  impulses  and  warm-hearted, 
full  of  anecdote  and  a good  talkier.  In  short,  he  is  a pleasant  man 
to  meet,  hospitable  and  kind,  honest  and  honorable  in  his  dealings, 
and  a square  man  in  all  his  businesss  relations  in  life. 


228 


HISTORY  OF  CHRISTIAN  COUNTY,  ILLINOIS. 


Ls  a native  of  Jiarren  county,  Ky.,  and  was  born  November  5th, 
1824.  He  is  the  fifth  child  of  Christo|)her  Haines,  who  was  a 
native  of  Virginia,  and  who.se  family  was  among  the  early  settlers 
of  the  old  dominion.  The  family  of  Haines  are  descended  from  a 
long  line  of  Dutch  ancestry.  Mr.  Haines,  when  a young  man, 
cro-ssed  the  mountains  with  his  parents  and  settled  in  Allen  county, 
Ky.,  and  there  grew  to  manhood.  He  married  Myrah  Gatew'ood, 
the  daughter  of  Roland  Gatewood.  They  were  natives  of  Georgia. 
They  had  a family  of  eleven  children,  of  which  there  are  seven 
brothers  and  two  sisters  living.  Mr.  Haines  moved  with  his  family 
to  Illinois  in  October,  1829,  and  located  in  Sangamon  county  and 
engaged  in  farming,  and  resided  there  until  his  death,  which  oc- 
curred in  1851.  His  widow  survived  him  until  18(iO.  Roth  he 
and  his  wife  are  meml)ers  of  the  M.  10.  (diurch. 

I'detcher  Haines,  the  snliject  of  tliis  sketch,  received  his  early 
education  in  the  district  .schools  of  Sangamon  county,  which  at  that 
time  were  poor.  He,  however,  attained  a fair  knowledge  of  the 
rndimentary  |)rincij»les  of  an  Knglish  education,  and  by  considerable 
industry  and  ap|)lieation,  he  has  succeeded  in  acquiring  and  adding 
much  to  his  original  store  of  learning  and  information,  and  we  now 
find  him  well  ver.sed  in  the  current  events  of  the  day.  His  early 
lioyhood  days  were  spent  in  assisting  his  family  at  work  upon  the 
farm.  In  dune,  184(»,  at  the  breaking  out  of  the  Mexican  war,  he 
enlisted  in  company  .\,  4th  Uegt.,  Ills.  Vols.,  commanded  by  Col. 
K.  I).  Raker,  'fhe  cajitain  of  the  company  was  11.  K.  lioberts. 
The  regiment  was  mustered  in  at  Springfield,  and  from  there  went 
to  Alton,  ami  from  there  to  .Jcffeixm  Barracks,  ,Mo.,  where  they 
were  sworn  into  the  U.  S.  service  and  drilled  for  three  weeks.  They 
then  enibarkeil  on  board  a steamer  and  proceeded  down  the  river 


to  New  Orleans,  then  to  Rrazos  Island,  Texas,  in  a sailing  vessel. 
Then  they  were  brigaded  under  Gen.  Shields  and  attached  to  the 
division  under  command  of  Gen.  Scott.  Mr.  Haines  participated 
in  the  battles  of  Vera  Cruz  and  Cerro  Gordo.  He  suffered  con- 
siderably from  the  ravages  of  disease  incident  to  that  warm  and 
malarious  climate.  The  term  of  enlistment  drawing  to  a close,  they 
were  ordered  to  New  Orleans,  where  they  were  discharged,  and  the 
regiment  disbanded  and  they  returned  to  their  homes.  While  in 
the  service,  he  received  seven  dollars  per  month,  and  the  land  war- 
rant for  K)0  acres  of  laud,  which  he  located  iu  Sangamon  county, 
near  the  village  of  Pawnee. 

On  the  14th  of  September,  1848,  Mr.  Haines  was  united  in  mar- 
riage to  Miss  Lucinda  J.  Hatler.  Ry  that  marriage  there  were  two 
children,  only  one  of  whom  is  living.  His  name  is  J.  Will.  Haines, 
now  living  iu  South  Fork  township.  Mrs.  Haines  died  in  Novem- 
ber, 1851.  On  the  4th  of  November,  1852,  he  married  ]\Iifs  Lydia 
A.,  daughter  of 'fhomas  and  Nancy  Anderson.  She  is  a native  of 
Caldwell  county,  Ky.,  as  was  also  her  i)areuts.  There  have  been 
born  to  them  eight  children,  five  of  whom  are  living. 

Mr.  Haines  and  wife  were  both  early  members  of  the  1\L  F. 
Church.  Iu  i)olitics,  he  was  in  early  life  a whig,  and  after  the 
di.sorgauization  of  that  party  he  became  a republican,  and  is  and 
always  has  been  among  the  stanchest  supporters  of  the  j)rinci]iles 
of  that  l)arty  in  this  county.  During  the  late  rebellion  he  was 
among  the  strong  Fnion  men  of  that  county,  and  did  much  to  aid 
the  cause  of  right  and  justice.  The  Cnion  cause  had  no  .stronger 
supporter  here  than  iMr.  Haines.  In  18(i(),  he  was  elected  justice 
of  the  ])eace,  and  held  that  oflicc  four  years. 

Mr.  Haines  is  a man  who  has  achieved  more  than  ordinary  sue- 


HISTORY  OF  CHRISTIAN  COUNTY,  ILLINOIS. 


229 


cess  iu  life,  and  whatever  he  has  accomplished,  has  been  the  result 
of  his  own  unaided  efforts.  Industry,  energy  and  economy  have 
enabled  him  to  carve  out  for  himself  a comfortable  competency. 
He  fir-st  settled  in  Christian  county,  in  February,  1856,  when  he 
purchased  three  hundred  acres  of  land,  to  which  he  has  added, 
until  he  now  has  eight  hundred  acres  of  as  fine  farm  land  as  can 
be  found,  and  as  well  improved  as  any  in  the  county.  A fine 
view  of  his  home  and  farm  is  shown  elsewhere  in  this  work.  Mr. 

’ Haines,  judging  from  what  the  neighbors  say,  has  many  friends, 
and  they  have  been  gained  by  his  straightforward  course  of  honesty, 
integrity  and  fair  dealing.  He  is  a man  who  dispenses  hospitality 
with  a liberal  hand.  This  trait  is  characteristic  of  the  Kentuckians, 
and  we  present  him  to  our  numei’ous  readers  as  a fair  specimen  of 
the  best  class  of  men  from  the  “ Blue  Grass  State,”  who  by  their 
energy  have  done  so  much  to  develop,  improve  and  build  up  Illi- 
nois. Mr.  Haines  moved  to  Springfield  iu  March,  1868,  and  resided 
there  six  years,  and  during  that  time  his  children  had  the  advantages 
of  the  best  schools.  He  returned  to  his  farm  in  1877. 


JOHN  C.  DODSON 

Is  a native  of  Greene  county,  Illinois  ; was  born  March  81st,  1830. 
He  was  the  fourth  child  of  Thomas  and  Prudence  (Robbins)  Dod- 
son. Thomas  Dodson  was  a native  of  Yorkshire,  England.  He 
emigrated  to  America  while  a young  man,  and  first  located  in  St. 
Louis,  and  was  there  in  the  employ  of  Mr.  Wiggins,  who  established 
the  Wiggins’  Ferry,  now  one  of  the  largest  corporations  in  the  west. 
Thomas  Dodson  was  in  charge  of  the  first  ferry-boat.  The  line 
was  established  in  1822.  His  wife.  Prudence  Robbins,  lived  for  a 
time  in  South  Carolina  and  Tennessee,  and  subsequently  moved 
with  her  parents  to  Madison  county,  Illinois.  She  was  also  of  Eng- 
lish parentage.  They  had  a family  of  six  children,  four  sons  and 
two  daughters.  Owing  to  the  malarious  condition  of  the  region 
about  St.  Louis,  Mr.  Dodson  left  with  his  family  and  moved  to 
Greene  county,  Illinois,  and  was  among  the  first  settlers  of  that 
county.  He  engaged  in  farming,  in  what  is  known  as  Pinkerton’s 
Prairie,  three  and  a half  miles  north-east  of  Carrollton.  He  was  a 
soldier  iu  the  Black  Hawk  war,  in  the  campaign  of  1831.  Both 
he  and  his  wife  were  members  of  the  M.  E.  Church.  He  was  also 
licensed  as  a local  preacher.  He  died  May  6th,  1847.  His  wife 
survived  him  until  October,  1864. 

J.  C.  Dodson,  the  subject  of  this  sketch,  received  his  earlv  edu- 
cation in  the  common  schools  of  his  native  county.  He  acquired  a 
good,  sound  knowledge  of  the  rudiments  of  an  English  education. 

On  the  8th  of  May,  1853,  he  was  married  to  Miss  Ann  Green, 
daughter  of  Thomas  and  Sarah  Green.  She  was  born  in  Yorkshire, 
England,  February  7th,  1830.  Miss  Green  left  her  native  land 
and  came  to  America  to  keep  house  for  her  brother,  John  Green, 
who  was  then  living  at  the  house  of  Mr.  Dodson.  She  arrived  here 
in  May,  1862,  and  was  married  as  above  stated.  As  the  fruits  of 
this  union  there  have  been  born  to  them  five  children,  three  sons 
and  two  daughters. 

In  the  order  of  their  ages  they  are  as  follow'S  : Thos.  C.,  married, 
and  at  present  residing  in  Palmer,  engaged  in  the  grocery  and  pro- 
vision business ; Mary  Addie,  Sarah  Emma  and  Frank  E.  The 
three  latter  residing  at  home  with  their  parents. 

In  politics  Mr.  Dodson  was  originally  a whig,  and  on  the  aban- 
donment of  that  party  he  became  indentified  with  the  democratic 
party.  He  is  not  what  you  might  call  a party  man,  but  for 
local  offices  he  votes  for  the  best  man  irrespective  of  party.  Mr. 
Dodson  believes  in  and  has  made  it  a point  to  give  his  children  the 
benefits  of  as  good  an  education  as  the  county  affords. 


In  taking  a -retrospective  view  of  the  life  and  career  of  Mr.  Dod- 
son, we  find  a man  who  was  born  in  this  state  in  the  jiioneer  era, 
and  during  his  life  he  has  witnessed  great  changes  from  an  unbroken 
wilderness  to  a country  dotted  over  with  hapj^y  homes  and  thrifty 
farmers.  In  May,  1855,  he  purchased  the  farm  on  which  he  now 
lives,  and  here  he  has  resided  up  to  the  present.  INIr.  Dodson  has 
by  his  own  energy  and  industry,  united  with  that  of  his  excellent 
wife,  succeeded  in  acquiring  a comfortable  competency,  and  now 
ranks  among  the  leading  agriculturists  of  the  county.  He  has  one 
of  the  best  improved  farms  in  Bear  Creek  township,  and  his  resi- 
dence and  farm  buildings  are  among  the  best  in  the  county,  a 
fine  view  of  which  can  be  seen  on  another  page.  During  the  war 
Mr.  Dodson  was  for  a time  enrolling  officer.  He  also  made  the 
assessments  the  first  two  years  after  township  organization.  He  is 
ranked  by  his  neighhors  as  among  the  best  citizens  of  the  county. 


WILLIAM  LOGSDON. 

TiiEearlie.st  settler  of  Bear  Creek  township,  now  living,  is  he  whose 
name  heads  this  sketch.  It  is  not  often  that  we  find  one  who  has  re- 
sided so  long  in  what  is  still  a new  county.  He  has  been  a citizen 
of  Christian  county  for  half  a century,  coming  here  in  the  year  1830. 
He  is  a native  of  Kentucky,  and  was  born  in  the  year  1820.  His 
father,  James  Logsdon,  was  also  a native  of  Kentucky,  and  de.scend- 
ed  from  the  early  settlers  of  Maryland.  James  Logsdon  moved  from 
Kentucky  to  Sangamon  county  in  this  state  in  the  year  1828,  and  to 
what  is  now  Christian  county  in  1830,  and  entered  land  and  settled 
in  section  10  on  Bear  Creek.  He  returned  to  Sangamon  county, 
and  died  in  1864. 

In  the  year  1838  Mr.  Wm.  Logsdon  was  married  to  Elizabeth 
Meads,  who  was  born  in  Kentucky.  Her  mother  was  also  a native 
of  Kentucky  ; her  father  came  from  Georgia.  It  is  almost  impossi- 
ble in  this  day  of  railroads  and  the  many  other  conveniences  of  civ- 
ilization to  understand  the  circumstances  in  which  these  pioneers 
were  placed.  There  were  no  mills  except  horse  mills,  and  these 
were  so  inconveniently  situated  that  it  often  reejuired  several  days 
travel  to  get  a sack  of  corn  ground.  It  w'as  impossible  to  cross  the 
prairie  in  the  day-time  on  account  of  the  flies  called  “green  heads.” 
Even  the  plowing  in  some  instances  was  done  in  the  night.  In  ca.se 
of  sickness  the  only  medicine  was  such  as  nature  supplied  iu  the 
crude  state.  Yet,  in  all  the  pz-ivations,  many  of  the  early  settlers 
look  back  to  this  as  the  happiest  part  of  their  lives.  Mr.  Logsdon 
cast  his  first  vote  for  Harrison  in  1840,  and  was  a Whig  until  the 
dissolution  of  that  party,  since  which  he  has  been  a democrat.  He 
has  held  the  office  of  Justice  of  the  Peace  for  twelve  years,  and  is  a 
good  citizen. 


J.  W.  PETRIE,  M.  D., 

Who  has  been  pi-acticing  medicine  in  Palmer  for  twelve  years,  is  a 
native  of  North  Carolina,  and  was  born  November  7th,  1832,  in 
. Cabarras  county,  of  that  state.  His  father,  John  Petrie,  was  also 
a native  of  North  Carolina.  The  gi’andfizther  emigrated  from 
Gennany. 

Dr.  I’etrie  removed  from  his  old  home  to  California  iu  the  year 
1855,  for  the  ])urpose  of  hunting  gold,  and  in  the  year  1860  came 
to  Illinois,  and  in  1866  to  Christian  county.  He  commenced  the 
study  of  medicine  in  1853,  under  the  direction  of  Dr.  P.  J.  A. 
Haynes,  at  Mt.  Pleasant,  North  Carolina,  and  afterwai’d  attended 
a course  of  lectures  at  the  Eclectic  Medical  Institute  of  Cincinnati. 
He  began  the  practice  of  medicine  in  1866,  and  located  at  Palmer 
in  1868.  He  was  united  in  marriage  to  Annie  M.  O’Rourke,  in 


230 


HISTORY  OF  CHRISTIAN  COUNTY,  ILLINOIS. 


the  year  1869.  She  is  of  Irish  ancestry,  and  is  a member  of  the 
Presbyterian  church. 

In  politics  he  supports  the  democratic  party,  but  is  liberal  in  his 
views;  is  a strong  advocate  of  temperance,  and  believes  in  the  abo- 
lition of  the  liquor  traffic,  seeing  in  common  with  all  who  support 
this  cause  that  the  sale  of  intoxicating  drinks  is  detrimental  to  the 
best  interests  of  society. 

Dr.  Petrie  belongs  to  the  eclectic  school  of  medicine,  and  in 
common  with  all  of  that  school,  believes  that  a physician  should  use 
any  method  or  any  means  that  will  relieve  suffering  and  restore  the 
sick  to  health.  He  is  faithful  in  the  discharge  of  his  professional 
duties,  and  in  his  maunei’S  a very  agreeable  gentleman. 

ALFRED  BOYD 

Is  a native  of  Burke  county.  North  Carolina  ; was  born  on  the  7th 
of  Nov.,  1809.  His  father,  John  Boyd,  was  born  in  Philadelphia, 
Pa.,  about  the  year  1769,  and  descended  from  Scotch  ancestry. 
John  Boyd  moved  to  North  Carolina  with  his  father  when  a boy, 
and  afterward  moved  to  Tennessee,  where  he  died.  Mr.  Alfred 
Boyd  moved  to  Kentucky,  residing  there  six  years,  and  in  April, 


1839,  moved  to  Christian  county,  Illinois,  securing  by  purchase  and 
entry,  a farm  of  two  hundred  acres,  in  Bear  Creek  township.  He 
was  married  in  1832  to  Zillah  McCormick,  who  was  of  Scotch-Irish 
ancestry.  Thirteen  children  have  blessed  this  union,  eight  of  whom 
are  still  living,  viz.:  Joseph  H.,  a grain  merchant  in  Palmer;  James 
M.,  Alfred  E.,  and  J.  L.,  farmers  living  near  Palmer,  Robert  A. 
living  in  California,  Elizabeth  E.,  the  w’ife  of  C.  B.  Denny,  Sarah 
E.,  now’  Mrs.  J.  T.  Anderson,  and  Mary  L.,  the  wife  of  G.  E.  An- 
derson ; John,  Thomas,  Harriet  and  David,  died  at  an  early  age. 
Rebecca  A.  married  B.  M.  Burdick  and  died  in  1880,  and  the 
mother  died  in  1877.  Mr.  Boyd  has  been  a member  of  the  Cum- 
berland I’resbyterian  Church  for  many  years,  and  by  his  consistent 
life  has  adorned  his  profession.  He  cast  his  first  vote  for  Andrew 
Jackson,  and  was  a democrat  to  the  time  that  the  republican 
party  w’as  organized,  since  w’hich  he  has  supported  that  party.  In 
the  first  and  only  lawsuit  he  ever  had  he  employed  Abraham  Lin- 
coln as  his  attorney,  and  of  course  won  his  case.  Mr.  Boyd  has 
lived  to  see  many  changes  in  that  part  of  Christian  county  in  which 
he  resides,  and  has  reached  a ripe  old  age.  He  is  a man  of  sterling 
integrity,  and  has  lived  a quiet,  consistent  life. 


STONINGTON  TOWNSHIP. 


HIS  township  is  bounded  on  the  north  by  Mosquito,  east 
by  ]\Iacon  county  and  Prairieton  township,  south  hy 
INIay  and  west  by  Buckhart  township ; it  comj)rises  the 
Congressional  town  14,  range  1 W.,  is  six  miles  .square — 
and  contains  a fine  body  of  land — its  farmers  aie  among  the  most 
enterprising  in  the  county.  This  township  entered  into  one  of  the 
four  original  precincts  formed  on  the  organization  of  the  county.  It 
then  embraced  the  whole  south-western  portion  of  the  county.  And 
when  curtailed  in  its  boundaries,  it  has  continued  to  retain  its  orig- 
inal name.  At  the  first  election  held  August  5,  1839,  I’eter  R. 
Ketcham  and  David  Simons  were  elected  Justices  of  the  Peace, 
and  William  L.  1 lammer  Constable.  For  the  other  constable  there 
was  a tie  hetween  Frederick  Fitch  and  Nicholas  Sanders.  The  lat- 
ter drew  the  prize  by  lot.  The  Judges  of  election  were  Elijah  Pal- 
mer, David  Simons  and  Peter  R.  Ketcham.  As  this  returning 
Board  adjudicated  in  their  own  ca.ses,  it  is  presumable  there  was 
more  honesty  in  “counting”  in  those  days  than  now.  The  area  of 
the  precinct  was  then  195  s(|uare  miles,  and  cast  48  votes.  The 
same  territory  at  the  election  in  187<>  cast  a vote  of  2,400.  At  the 
first  election  there  was  not  a single  vote  east  in  what  is  now  Rose- 
moinl,  I’ana  and  Assumption,  then  included  in  Stonington  Precinct. 


I'lONEKU  si;ttm;i£.s. 

Tin;  pioneer  settlers  in  Stonington  townshif),  were  Peter  R.  Ketch- 
am, Christ<»i)her  Ketcham,  John  Biggs,  Elijah  Palmer,  Nicholas 
Sanders,  Deacon  I’eabody,  I’lios.  P.  Chapman,  Samuel  N.  Pea- 
bo(  ly.  Will  iain  S.  Peabody,  IVederick  Ifitch,  Allen  B.  Peabody, 
Leonard  ( i.  Lillie,  Andrew  B.  Cha|unan  ; later  came  Asa  Bowman, 
J.  G.  Armstrong.  C.  Tyler  Chapman  came  in  1849.  John  T. 
Slaughter  came  in  1845.  Matilda  Isimpton,  1840.  W.  S.  Spin- 
gate,  1834. 


The  first  steam  saw  and  grist  mill  was  erected  a short  distance 
above  “Sandersville,  ” in  1842,  by  Leonard  G.  Lillie,  who  operated 
it  sucessfully  for  several  years.  Next  to  the  one  at  Mt.  Auburn  it 
was  the  second  steam  mill  built  in  the  county.  After  a few  years, 
Mr.  Lillie  emigrated  to  California,  and  the  mill  was  sold  and  moved 
aw'ay. 

The  annual  prairie  fires  were  a great  annoyance  to  the  early  set- 
tlers. Many  years  ago,  some  emigrant  wagons  passed  where  Ston- 
ington is  now  located,  going  towards  Mt.  Auburn.  The  emigrants  at 
night  camped  in  the  tall  wild  grass  that  grows  so  luxurianily  in  the 
low  land,  of  that  vast  prairie.  During  the  night  the  prairie  was  set  on 
fire ; it  came  sweeping  toward  them  with  almost  the  velocity  of 
the  wind,  and  not  knowing  how  to  avoid  it  they  nearly  all  perish- 
ed in  the  fianics.  Had  they  burned  the  grass  for  some  distance 
around  their  camp — they  would  most  probably  have  passed  through 
the  danger  unscathed.  Green  B.  Ketcham,  a citizen  of  Stonington 
townshi]!,  was  elected  as  one  of  the  early  Coroners  of  the  county. 
He  could  neither  read  or  write.  There  was  a time  in  the  country’s 
history,  when  this  seemed  to  be  a necessary  qualification.  A writ 
was  placed  in  his  hands  to  be  served  on  the  sheriff.  As  he  could 
not  read  it,  but  was  iuformeil  as  to  the  nature  of  its  contents,  a wag, 
comprehending  the  situation,  informed  him  that  in  order  to  make  a 
legal  service,  when'  the  officers  could  not  read  it,  he  was  to  communi- 
cate the  nature  of  it,  and  at  the  same  time  place  his  hand  on  the 
jierson  named  in  the  writ.  The  sheriff  humored  the  joke;  both  of- 
ficers had  their  horses  saddled  ; each  made  for  his  horse,  when 
2.40  time  was  made,  .sheriff  H.  in  the  lead  and  the  Coroner  close  in 
the  rear.  Round  and  round  the  public  square,  at  the  county  seat, 
first  up  one  street  and  down  another.  At  length  the  writ  was  served, 
and  the  green  Coroner  made  for  his  cabin  well  nigh  exhausted. 

I'he  first  land  entered  in  this  township  ns  shown  on  the  records. 


HISTORY  OF  CHRISTIAN  COUNTY,  ILLINOIS. 


231 


was  by  James  Ketcliam,  January  6,  1836,  the  S.  E.  \ of  the  S.  E. 
i of  section  34,  40  acres.  Other  entries  were  made  on  the  same  day 
by  Richard  F.  Barrett — S.  W.  } section  35,  160  acres,  S.  E.  \ sec- 
tion 35,  160  acres,  S.  W.  section  36,  160  acres  and  S.  E.  section  36, 
160  acres.  September  27,  1836,  Thomas  H Hewitt  and  Robert 
Allen,  each  entered  land  on  section  25. 

‘‘Sandersville”  was  an  old  trading  point  ii?  the  south-east  corner 
of  this  township,  on  the  old  county  road  from  Taylorville  to  Mow- 
eaqua.  Goods  were  sold  there  for  nearly  a quarter  of  a century,  by 
Nicholas  Sanders,  John  Catherwood,  Charles  F.  Moody  and  others. 
It  had  a Post-ofBce,  and  near  by  was  the  old  Baptist  church  and 
the  district  school-house. 

STONINGTON  COLONY. 

A number  of  New  Englanders  desiring  to  emigrate  to  the  west- 
ward, organized  an  association,  in  North  Stonington,  Connecticut ; 
and  as  early  as  1836,  sent  out  Rev.  Gideon  B.  Perry  and  Thomas 
H.  Hewitt,  as  special  agents,  to  prospect,  locate  and  enter  a large 
compact  body  of  land  in  some  desired  portion  of  Illinois.  These 
agents,  after  traveling  over  most  of  the  northern  part  of  the  state, 
came  to  Springfield,  where  they  met  Dr  R.  F.  Barrett  and  Robert 
Allen,  two  prominent  and  well-known  citizens,  and  it  was  there  de- 
termined, to  locate  on  the  west  side  of  Flat  Branch  on  lands  then 
in  Shelby  and  Sangamon  counties.  Tliey  entered  10,000  acres  of 
land,  which  was  divided,  and  allotted  by  auction  among  the  mem- 
bers of  the  colony,  in  North  Covington,  Connecticut.  The  names 
of  the  principal  colonists,  who  came  to  the  county,  were  Thomas 
P.  Chapman,  Nicholas  Sanders,  William  S.  Frink,  Benj.  F.  Chap- 
man, Gideon  Wilbor,  Elijah  Palmer,  Allen  P.  Peabody,  Frederick 
Fitch,  William  S.  Peabody,  Rev.  A.  Ackley,  Elias  S.  Peabody, 
Amos  Peabody,  Thomas  Skiff,  Thomas  Millard,  and  probably  others 
in  1837.  In  the  following  year,  Samuel  Peabody,  Samuel  N.  Pea- 
body, Paris  Pray,  Horace  Morgan,  John  D.  Brown,  Deacon  Smith, 
John  P.  Williams,  Andrew  B.  Chapman  and  C.  Tyler  Chapman, 
joined  them. 

The  county,  at  that  time,  was  very  sparsely  settled,  and  the  set- 
tlers looked  with  a jealous  eye  upon  all  bodies  of  new  comers,  and 
on  none  more  than  those  from  the  New  England  states.  In  1834, 
William  Kinney,  of  Bellville,  then  a candidate  for  Lieutenant 
Governor,  said  much  in  his  speeches  to  engender  this  sectional 
hate. 

The  arrangements  of  the  colonists  were  projected  on  a grand 
scale.  It  was  determined  that  a tract  of  160  acres  of  laud  should 
be  appropriated,  before  division,  to  the  founding  of  a city.  This 
was  done.  The  name  was  to  be  “ Stonington  City.” 

The  tract  was  situated  on  the  W.  2 of  S.  E.  1,  and  the  E.  J of 
S.  W.  I,  of  section  25,  T.  14  N.,  R.  1 W.  It  was  surveyed  into 
lots  and  blocks,  and  platted  May  11,  1837,  by  John  B.  Watson, 
surveyor  of  Sangamon  county,  under  the  direction  of  Gideon  B. 
Perry,  chairman  of  the  executive  committee  of  the  “ Stonington 
colony.”  It  contained  a public  square,  park,  forty-two  blocks  and 
five  hundred  and  four  lots.  The  streets  were  seventy- two  feet  wfide, 
with  high-sounding  names. 

This  city  looks  well  on  paper,  and  may  be  seen  in  Book  No.  47, 
page  390  “ Transcribed  Record,”  in  Recorder’s  office. 

The  enterprising  colony,  imbued  with  the  laudable  .spirit  which 
actuated  their  Puritan  ancestors,  determined  on  having  early  edu- 
cational facilities.  Schools  being  provided  for,  they  procured  the 
passage  of  a liberal  charter  for  the  founding  of  a school,  to  be 
known  as  “ Brush  College,”  which  lives  only  in  memory. 

They  also  brought  with  them  the  inherited  love  for  churches  and 
a preached  gospel.  A Baptist  church  was  organized  in  1838.  The 


Rev.  Gideon  B.  Berry,  Rev.  Amos  Dodge,  and  Rev.  P.  Pray 
were  the  pioneer  preachers. 

The  town  had  a post-office,  but  it  was  subsequently  moved  to  the 
new  town  of  Stonington. 

The  old  hotel  is  now  the  residence  of  N.  B.  Chapman. 

Below  we  add  the  township  officers : 

Super-visors. — Asa  Bowman,  elected  1866,  re-elected  1867,  and 
continued  in  office  up  to  1874;  Joshua  Barrich,  elected  1874;  R. 
W.  Covington,  1875,  and  by  re-election  continued  to  hold  the  office 
until  1879 ; Charles  A.  Peabody,  1880. 

A.sses.sors. — C.  A.  Peabody,  1876,  re-elacted  1877  and  1878;  J. 
H.  Foltz,  1879,  re-elected  1880. 

Collectors. — Wm.  E.  Peabody,  elected  1866;  re-elected  1867,  and 
each  year  up  to  1872 ; .lohn  M.  Spires,  1872  and  1873  ; B.  F.  Young, 
1874,  and  by  re-election  held  the  office  up  to  1880. 

Toion  Clerks.— I.  H.  Meyers,  1876;  J.  H.  Foltz,  1877;  W.  H. 
Sabin,  1878,  re-elected  1879  and  1880. 

Commissioners  of  Highways. — W.  E.  Peabody,  1876  ; J.  H.  Solli- 
day,  1877  ; J.  M.  Smith,  1878  ; Daniel  Doyle,  1879  ; J.  H.  Solli- 
day,  1880. 

Constables. — .lames  Baughman,  elected  in  1873  ; Gustavus  Smack, 
1876;  B.  L.  Vermillion  and  John  Langdon,  1877. 

Justices  of  the  Peace. — James  Ferguson,  elected  1866 ; N.  B. 
Chapman,  1866;  James  Ferguson  resigned,  and  P.  P.  Dough  re- 
moved 1870.  John  W.  Farrow,  1872,  re-elected  1873;  James 
Miller,  1873;  Joseph  H.  Foltz  and  James  Ferguson,  1874;  .lohn 
Smith,  J.  H.  Meyers,  and  J.  H.  Foltz,  1877. 

STONINGTON 

Is  a small  town  and  station  on  the  Wabash,  St.  Louis  and  Pacific 
railway,  about  nine  miles  north-east  of  Taylorville,  in  the  heart  of  a 
farm  and  stock-growing  country-  At  first  it  was  called  Covington, 
in  honor  of  one  of  its  proprietors.  But  the  removal  of  the  old  Ston- 
iiigtou  post-office  from  Sandersville,  carried  the  name  with  it ; and 
from  the  expre.ssed  wishes  of  many  of  the  older  inhabitants,  the  name 
Stonington  was  substituted  for  that  of  Covington,  by  which  name  it 
has  since  been  known. 

The  town  was  surveyed  and  platted  by  Richard  M.  Powel,  county 
surveyor,  June  14,  1870,  for  E.  O.  Smith,  of  Decatur,  and  R.  W. 
Covington,  of  Stonington  township.  It  is  located  in  the  north-west 
corner  of  section  twenty-seven  of  this  township. 

The  streets  are  fifty  and  sixty  feet  ivide,  and  named  Walnut, 
Main,  Maple,  Pine,  etc. 

The  first  store  was  built  and  opened  by  John  Catherwood,  who 
laid  in  a general  stock  of  goods. 

The  next  building  was  moved  down  the  railroad  from  about  three 
miles,  by  John  Downey,  in  which  he  kept  a saloon.  This  was  in 
the  spring  of  1870. 

During  the  following  summer,  Hayden  & Stumpft'  built  a shop 
and  began  blacksmithing. 

Dr.  J.  B.  Maple,  Wm.  Slaughter,  John  W.  Slaughter  and  John 
Stumpfl’also  built  their  residences  in  1870,  John  W.  Tarrow  built 
a hotel  in  1870. 

John  W.  Slaughter  erected  a store-house  and  opened  a general  stock 
of  goods  in  the  spring  of  1871.  The  town  was  nearly  all  built 
during  1870  and  1871.  It  now  has  a population  upward  of  one 
hundred  and  fifty. 

The  post-office  was  established  in  1870,  and  John  Catherwood 
was  the  first  post-master.  R.  B.  Temple  and  A.  J.  Palmer  are  the 
succeeding  ones. 

The  school-house  was  built  in  the  fall  of  1874,  by  directors  R.  W. 


232 


HISTORY  OF  CHRISTIAN  COUNTY,  ILLINOIS. 


Covington,  Benj.  Colbrook  and  John  Catlierwood.  It  is  a one-story 
frame  building,  and  cost  $700- 

The  M.  E.  Church  was  erected  in  the  summer  of  1874,  by  direc- 
tors James  Ferguson,  J.  B.  Maple,  Wm.  Garwood,  Win  Limer,  C. 
C.  Hice,  R.  W.  Covington  and  Wm.  Wood,  at  a cost  of  $2000. 

The  Catholic  church  was  built  in  1879.  It  is  a fine  frame  struc- 
ture with  spire,  and  cost  upward  of  $3000. 

The  elevator,  owned  by  S.  S.  Sprague  & Co.,  was  erected  in  the 
winter  of  1878.  It  is  constructed  for  handling  all  kinds  of  grain, 
and  has  a capacity  of  20,000  bushels  small  grain 


There  are  at  present  in  the  town  : 

Physicians. — I).  W-  Porter,  E.  M.  Alverson. 

(ieiicral  Store. — A.  J.  I’almer,  J.  W.  Slaughter. 

General  Store  and  Drugs. — J.  T.  Bauer. 

General  Store  and  Agricultural  Implements. — II.  B.  Temple. 
Barber  Shop,  Cigars  and  Tobacco. — Wm.  Flynn. 

Blacksmith  Shop. — W.  H.  Leisster,  John  Boyle. 

Wagon  and  Carriage  Factory. — I).  Palmer. 

Boot  and  Shoe  Shop. — J.  Delluge. 

Harness  Maker. — E.  C.  Murphy. 

Hotel. — James  Conover. 


BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES. 


ASA  BOMLMAK 

One  of  the  most  prominent  farmers  in  Stonington  township  is 
the  subject  of  the  following  sketch.  He  was  born  in  Warren 
county,  Ohio,  June  9th,  1818,  and  was  the  son  of  Samuel  and 
Emily  Bowman,  and  is  of  German  ancestry.  Ilis  grandfather 
emigrated  from  Germany  in  an  early  day.  lie  first  settled  in 
Virginia,  where  he  married  a German  wife,  and  subsequently  emi- 
grated into  Kentucky,  and  settled  near  where  Lexington  now  is; 
he  raised  ipiite  a large  family,  Mr.  Bowman’s  father  being  the 
youngest  son.  He  remembers  hearing  his  father  tell  how  they,  in 
early  days,  protected  themselves  from  attacks  by  the  Indians,  in 
the  block-house  they  were  compelled  to  erect  for  defence.  Bold 
and  daring  deeds,  as  well  as  hair-breadth  escapes,  were  the  promi- 
nent characteristics  of  those  hardy  pioneers  who  first  emigrated  to 
Kentucky  to  effect  settlements.  At  that  time  nature  wore  her 
undisputed  livery  of  dark  and  thick  forest-trees,  and  grasses  indige-  i 
nous  to  the  soil,  inhabited  only  by  wild  beasts  and  still  wilder  men. 

It  was  here  on  the  frontier  that  Samuel  Bowman  was  brought  up. 

He  assisted  his  father  to  improve  a farm, and  made  him.self  generally 
u.seful  until  he  became  of  age,  when  he  started  out  for  himself,  and,  , 
not  being  satisfied  with  his  native  state,  went  into  Indiana,  where  he 
remained  about  two^ years.  He  subsequently  changed  his  location 
to  Ohio,  stopping  near  Lebanon,  in  Warren  county,  where  he  after- 
wanls  married  Miss  Emily  Skinner,  a native  of  Virginia.  Here  he 
improved  a farm,  where  he  lived  until  his  death  ; he  raised  a family 
of  ten  children,  the  subject  (»f  our  sketch  being  the  eldest.  His 
aged  wife  still  survives  him,  and  lives  on  the  old  homestead,  in 
Ohio,  at  the  advanced  age  of  eighty-four  years.  Mr.  Bowman  was 
raised  in  the  above-named  county,  on  a farm  ; he  attended  the  com- 
mon schools  of  his  neighborhood,  where  he  reecivinl  a fair  educa- 
tion. I‘'rom  tl*e  time  he  arrived  at  the  age  of  maturity  until  he 
was  twenty-si.x  years  of  age  he  taught  school,  and  during  this  time 
conceiveil  tin;  idea  to  follow  a professional  life;  for  four  or  five 
years  he  read  medical  works,  with  a determination  to  fit  himself 
for  the  [iractice,  and  in  1844  he  came  to  Illinois  and  began  the 
study  in  earnest,  under  a cousin,  I)r.  Daniel  Bowman,  located  near 
Greeidield,  in  Greene  county,  where  he  aj)plied  himself  about  two 
years,  and  in  the  meantime  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Mary 
Bowman,  November  9th,  1844.  In  184(1  .Mr.  Bowman  moved  to 


Ottumwa,  Iowa,  where  he  established  (piite  a lucrative  practice,  and 
bought  two  town  lots,  with  a residence  thereon,  with  the  intention 
of  making  this  place  his  future  home.  After  two  years’  practicing 
here  he  became  dissatisfied  with  the  country,  as  his  health  was  fail- 
ing him  rapidly  ; he  was  not  only  dissatisfied  with  the  country,  but 
also  became  dissatisfied  with  his  chosen  profession,  as  his  constitu- 
tion would  not  bear  the  constant  strain  incident  to  a doctor’s  life, 
being  called  at  all  times  in  the  night,  and  being  compelled  to  go  in 
all  kinds  of  weather.  He  determined  to  return  to  his  native  land 
in  Ohio  ; he  sold  his  library,  medicines,  and  practice  to  a Dr.  Rush. 
His  residence  and  some  real  estate  that  he  had  purchased  in  that 
vicinity  could  not  be  realized  upon  at  the  time,  but  were  disposed 
of  in  after  years.  He  returned  to  Warren  county,  Ohio,  in  1848, 
where  he  soon  recovered  his  health,  and  in  1853  he  returned  to 
Greene  county,  Illinois,  where  he  rented  a farm.  After  putting  in 
a crop  he  determined  to  find  a location  in  Illinois  and  make  him- 
self a permanent  home.  He  went  to  Springfield,  and  after  investi- 
gating the  facilities  of  different  parts  of  the  state,  through  the  land 
office,  he  made  up  his  mind  to  cast  his  lot  in  the  prairies  of  Chris- 
tian county.  He  had  a plat  made  of  town  fourteen,  range  one, 
west,  in  this  office,  showing  all  lands  not  entered  in  what  is  now 
Stonington  township.  It  was  in  May,  1853,  he  came  into  this 
county,  where  he  entered  the  north  half  of  section  twenty-nine. 
He  then  returned  to  Greene  county,  where  he  lived  three  years; 
tlien  went  to  Morgan  county,  where  he  lived  one  year,  near  Jack- 
sonville, and  in  1857  came  to  Christian  county  to  improve  his  land, 
a raw  jirairie  three  and  a-half  miles  from  timber.  A great  many 
of  the  older  settlers  thought  Bowman  could  never  make  a farm  so 
far  out  on  the  jirairie,  and  so  addres.'^ed  him,  but  his  experience  in 
Iowa,  tlie  prairie  state,  liad  taught  him  that  the  prairie  lands  were 
much  more  preferable  when  once  under  a state  of  cultivation.  In 
1858  he  turned  the  finest  furrow  on  the  farm  where  ho  now  resides; 
he  has  near  forty-five  acres  in  orchard,  forty  acres  bearing;  he  has 
also  put  out  about  ten  acres  of  timber,  making  a beautiful  grove. 
He  has  in  this  grove  a great  many  different  varieties  of  timber 
growing:  black  and  white  walnut,  wild-cherry,  white,  green,  and 
blue  ash,  poplar,  linn  or  bass-wood,  dog-wood,  iron-wood,  hard  and 
.soft  maple,  red  and  white  elm,  European  larch,  .several  kinds  of 
oak  and  hickory,  pecan,  cotton-wood,  willow,  box-elder,  two  kinds 


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of  the 

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'riNEQROVE  F/\RM;residenceoi  SYLVESTER  SCHRANTZ,  Sec,8,T.I^,  R.l  W.STONiH&TONTR.CHffiSimCojLL 


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/a.‘;m  Htsiuince  or  AMELIA  KRIEGER.  Sec.  17,  1/4,  fl./W.  SroNi  ngjon  Tp.,  Christia!^  Co.,  III. 


HISTORY  OF  CHRISTIAN  COUNTY,  ILLINOIS. 


233 


of  catalpa,  cedar,  and  several  kinds  of  pine.  He  has  fifty-four 
chestnut  trees,  pretty  much  all  bearing;  he  has  persimmons  bear- 
ing that  he  planted  from  the  seed.  Some  three  miles  north-east  he 
has  a farm  of  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres,  where  he  has  twenty 
acres  of  orchard.  He  is  now  making  fruit-growing  a S2>ecialty, 
shipping  his  apples  mostly  in  the  spring,  thereby  always  realizing 
a good  price;  he  has  taken  great  pains  with  his  orchards  in  plant- 
ing, selecting  nothing  but  the  best  trees,  and  in  consequence  his 
fruit  is  a choice  article,  and  always  brings  the  highest  2>i’ice  in 
market.  Mr.  Bowman  started  farming  the  three  hundred  and 
twenty  acres,  his  first  entry,  but,  by  adding  tract  after  tract,  he 
now  owns,  in  the  vicinity  in  which  he  lives,  one  thousand  one  hun- 
dred and  ten  acres,  mostly  beautiful  farming  land.  We  show  an 
elaborate  engraving  in  another  part  of  this  book  of  scenes  on  his 
farms.  He  is  now  among  the  oldest  settlers  in  Stoningtou  town- 
ship. In  every  respect  he  is  a self-made  man,  one  who  has  won  his 
way  to  his  present  position  among  the  wealthy  and  substantial 
farmers  of  Central  Illinois,  by  his  own  industry  and  energy,  and 
the  rising  generation  would  do  well  to  imitate  his  industrious 
example,  if  in  like  manner  they  would  rise  to  positions  among  the 
large  and  thrifty  farmers  of  this  part  of  the  state.  He  would  never 
allow  himself  to  go  into  debt,  and  to  this  he  greatly  attributes  his 
success  in  life ; his  plan  was  to  realize  on  his  stock,  year  after  year ; 
this  money  he  would  loan,  and  he  can  say  that  he  never  took  more 
than  ten  j>er  cent,  from  anyone,  although  many  times  he  has  been 
offered  twenty-five  per  cent-  by  good  men,  and  when  he  got  money 
enough  together  he  would  invest  it  in  a farm.  He  has  aimed  to 
make  his  way  in  the  world  by  industry,  not  by  trickery,  and  by 
the  slow  but  sure  gains  of  patient  labor,  rather  than  by  the  brilliant 
schemes  of  speculation,  by  which  fortunes  are  often  rajjidly  amassed, 
and  by  which  they  are  jierhaps  as  often  swiftly  lost.  He  has  an 
only  son,  John  A.,  now  living  at  home.  Mr.  Bowman  in  politics 
was  originally  a whig,  and  then  a republican,  until  1873,  he  cast 
his  old  party  aside,  and  has  since  been  a firm  and  unconditional 
greenbacker,  working  for  the  supremacy  of  his  party  and  the  grand 
results  he  believes  it  to  be  its  mission  to  achieve.  In  1876  the  green- 
back j)arty  nominated  him  for  the  Legislature  to  represent  the 
thirty-fourth  district ; he  made  a very  creditable  canvas,  considering 
the  strength  of  the  party  in  the  district.  When  the  county  went 
into  township  organization  he  was  elected  to  represent  his  townshi]5 
in  the  county  board,  a position  he  held  for  eight  years  ; for  four 
years  he  was  chairman  of  the  board.  Mrs.  Bowman  is  a lady  of 
high  social  standing  and  business  tact  so  essential  to  a mother  and 
wife  in  the  government  of  a household.  She  takes  a pleasure  in 
assisting  her  husband  to  dispense  a generous  hospitality. 


R.  W.  COVINGTON 

Was  born  in  Albemarle  county,  Virginia,  July  23,  1822.  He  was 
the  son  of  William  W.,  and  Loucy  Covington,  who  was  a Miss 
Slaughter.  The  Covington  family  have  lived  in  the  vicinity  where 
Mr.  Covington  was  born,  for  several  generations.  His  forefathers 
on  both  sides  were  soldiers  in  the  Revolutionary  war.  Mr.  Coving- 
ton grew  to  manhood  in  that  state,  on  a farm.  At  the  age  of 
twenty-four  he  went  to  Mississipj)i,  and  lived  near  Holly  Springs 
for  about  ten  years.  He  then  came  to  Christian  county,  and  set- 
tled in  Stoningtou  township,  this  being  in  the  year  1857.  He  here 
married  Miss  Martha  V.  Van  Deren,  April  19, 1865;  she  is  a native 
of  Illinois.  They  have  two  children,  William  W.  and  Loucy  May. 
Mr.  Covington’s  life  occupation  has  been  that  of  a farmer  and  stock 
raiser.  He  has  a fine  farm  of  five  hundred  acres,  lying  north  and 
east  of  the  village  of  Stoniugton.  In  politics  he  is  of  the  green- 
30 


back  j)ersuasion.  He  was  the  first  assessor  of  the  township,  after  it 
was  organized,  and  filled  the  office  for  four  years.  For  five  years 
he  represented  his  township  in  the  County  Board. 


B.  F.  YOUNG 

Was  born  in  Stark  county,  Ohio,  December  22,  1843.  His  father, 
Samuel  Young,  was  a native  of  Pennsylvania,  and  of  German  de- 
scent. His  ancestors  settled  in  Pennsylvania  in  the  early  days  of 
that  colony.  When  Samuel  Young  grew  to  manhood  he  married 
a Miss  Susan  Fouser,  also  of  German  descent.  They  raised  a fam- 
ily of  ten  children,  five  boys  and  the  same  number  of  girls.  Samuel 
Young  is  now  living  in  Stark  county,  Ohio.  The  subject  of  our 
sketch  was  raised  on  a farm  in  that. county  ; he  attended  the  com- 
mon schools  of  his  neighborhood  until  he  was  eighteen  years  of  age. 
He  then  entered  the  high  school  of  Greensburg,  Ohio,  where  he 
finished  a thorough  English  education.  From  the  time  he  arrived 
at  the  age  of  twenty-one  until  he  was  twenty-five,  he  follow’ed  clerk- 
ing and  teaching.  August  15,  1867,  he  was  united  in  marriage  to 
IMiss  Sybilla  F.  Schrantz,  daughter  of  Ej)hraim  Schrantz,  a promi- 
nent farmer  of  Stoningtou  townshij).  IMrs.  Young  is  a native  of 
Stark  county,  Ohio.  They  have  a family  of  two  sons,  viz.,  Orres 
E.,  and  Clyde  C.  After  Mr.  Young’s  marriage  he  began  farming 
in  Stoningtou  township,  near  where  he  now  lives.  In  j)olitics  he  is 
a re{)ublican,  but  often  for  county  offices  he  votes  for  what  he  con- 
siders the  best  man,  regardless  of  jmlitical  ties.  For  twelve  years 
he  has  been  living  in  Stoningtou  township  ; six  years  of  that  time 
he  has  filled  the  office  of  collector  of  his  townshij).  For  three 
years  he  was  commissioner.  IMr.  Young  teaches  school  every  win- 
ter. He  has  taught  eleven  terms  in  the  state,  and  in  only  three 
different  districts.  He  is  known  in  the  community  in  which  he 
lives,  to  be  an  enterprising  young  man,  and  good  citizen. 


SYLVESTER  SCHRANTZ 

Was  born  in  Stark  county,  Ohio,  February  28th,  1847.  He  is 
the  son  of  Ephraim  and  Nancy  Schrantz  ; he  is  of  Swiss  ancestry ; 
he  was  raised  on  a farm  and  educated  to  farm  life.  He  attended 
the  common-schools  in  the  neighborhood  where  he  was  born, 
whereby  he  received  a good  business  education.  At  the  age  of 
seventeen  he  enlisted  in  the  late  war  ; he  was  in  company  A,  19th 
Ohio,  under  Caj)tain  Firestone,  Col.  Manderson  having  command 
of  the  regiment.  At  the  battle  of  Dallas  he  was  captured,  with 
nineteen  comrades ; they  were  taken  to  Andersouville  j)rison,  where 
Mr.  Schrantz  was  detained  six  and  a half  months ; he  and  three 
others  were  all  that  survived  out  of  the  nineteen  caj)tured.  When 
he  was  j)aroled  he  was  in  such  a low  condition  that  he  could  not 
walk,  sj)eak  or  hear.  He  was  taken  to  the  Federal  hospital,  where 
he  partially  recovered,  and  then  came  home,  wdiere  he  remained 
five  months ; he  then  returned  to  Camj)  Cliase,  Ohio,  and  was 
mustered  out  of  the  service  June  19th,  1865.  In  1866,  he  came 
to  Illinois  and  settled  in  Christian  county,  where  he  has  since 
resided,  and  followed  the  avocation  of  a farmer.  He  has  one  hun- 
dred and  sixty  acres  in  his  farm  under  a fine  state  of  cultivation. 
He  takes  pride  in  beautifying  his  home.  The  beauty  of  the  arrange- 
ment of  the  grounds,  and  variety  of  trees,  plants  and  shrubs, 
shows  that  the  love  of  the  beautiful  may  exist  in  the  mind  of  the 
most  practical  farmer.  We  show  a view  of  this  place  in  another 
part  of  our  work.  This  farm  was  made  from  the  raw  prairie,  since 
1870.  September  13th,  1873,  he  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss 
Lovina  Waltz,  a daughter  of  David  Waltz,  a native  of  Ohio,  and 
also  of  Swiss  descent ; they  have  two  children,  a boy  and  girl,  viz.  : 


234 


HISTORY  OF  CHRISTIAN  COUNTY,  ILLINOIS. 


Brace  and  Jessie.  In  politics  Mr.  Schrantz  is  liberal,  and  always 
votes  for  his  man  regardless  of  political  ties.  He  is  known  as  a 
good  citizen  and  an  industrious  young  man. 


HENRY  LIVERGOOD,  (Deceased.) 

Mr.  Eivergood,  whose  death  occurred  Nov.  29,  1878,  was  one 
of  the  substantial  farmers  of  Stonington  township.  He  was  born 
in  York,  Pa.,  in  Lower  Windsor  township,  Oct.  8th,  1825.  His 
father  was  Henry  Livergood,  and  his  mother’s  name  before  mar- 
riage, Salome  Ruby.  He  was  the  third  of  a large  family  of  chil- 
dren. When  he  was  a child  his  father  moved  to  Lancaster  county. 
Pa.,  and  bought  the  mill  known  as  Livergood’s  Mill,  two  miles 
from  Lancaster,  on  the  Columbia  pike.  His  father  was  a man  of 
considerable  wealth,  and  gave  his  children  a good  education.  Hen- 
ry Livergood  was  principally  raised  in  Lancaster  county.  He 
attended  school  at  Litiz,  Pa.,  and  afterwards  attended  an  academy 
at  Abbeyville.  He  learned  the  carpenter’s  trade,  but  never  fol- 
lowed it.  When  about  twenty-one  he  left  home  and  opened  up  a 


flour  and  feed  store  in  the  city  of  Lancaster.  He  carried  on  a 
wholesale  and  retail  business,  and  had  a large  trade.  He  was  mar- 
ried in  the  city  of  Lancaster  on  the  nineteenth  day  of  September, 
1848,  to  Miss  Margaret  Ober,  who  was  born  in  Lancaster,  July  18, 
1825,  and  was  a daughter  of  Benjamin  Ober.  After  his  marriage, 
Mr.  Livergood  lived  in  Lancaster  one  year.  He  had  been  some- 
what unfortunate  in  his  business  at  Lancaster,  and  so  detm^ined 
to  remove  to  the  west.  Accordingly,  in  the  spring  of  1850  he 
came  to  Sangamon  county,  and  engaged  in  farming  in  the  neighbor- 
hood of  Pleasant  Plains  on  rented  land.  In  1863  he  bought  one 
hundred  and  twenty  acres  of  prairie  laud  in  Stonington  township, 
without  any  improvements.  He  moved  on  this  tract  and  went  to 
improving  it.  At  the  time  of  his  death  he  owned  two  hundred 
acres  of  land.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Livergood  have  eight  children,  all 
living : Francis  Salome,  wife  of  Richard  Stone ; Daniel  Webster, 
Peter,  Henry  ©.(farming in  Kansas),  Ann  Margaret,  John  Wesley, 
Phebe  C.  and  Edmund.  Mr.  Livergood  was  a republican  in  poli- 
tics. He  was  a man  of  industry,  and  was  known  as  an  honest 
and  good  citizen. 


MT.  AUBURN  TOWNSHIP. 


S situated  iu  the  northern  part  of  the  county,  bounded  on 
the  north  by  the  Sangamon  river,  east  by  Mosquito, 
south  by  Buckhart,  and  west  by  Sangamon  county.  It 
comprises  in  area  all  that  portion  of  townships  15, 
ranges  2 and  3,  and  town.  10,  range  1,  lying  within  the  boundary 
of  Christian  county.  It  is  well  drained  by  the  Sangamon  river, 
Moscpiito  and  Buckhart  creeks,  and  their  tributaries. 

This  was  among  the  early  settled  portions  of  the  county.  The 
Coopers  and  Gigers  entering  it  as  pioneers  in  1820,  other  emigrants 
soon  after  followed,  dotting  the  North  hYrk  with  settlements.  Its 
interests  began  to  demand  a town,  and  Bolivar  was  laid  out  by 
Joseph  Bondurant,  on  the  5th  of  June,  1833,  on  the  S.  E.  (piarter 
of  section  18,  township  15,  range  2 west.  It  contained  eight  blocks 
and  one  hundred  and  twenty-three  lots,  anil  for  a time  bid  fair  to 
become  a flourishing  village ; eventually  the  town  languished  and 
died  out  entirely. 

On  the  organization  of  the  county,  in  dividing  it  into  justice  dis- 
tricts, the  one  on  the  north  jiart  of  the  county  was  called  the  Third, 
or  “ North  Fork  Precinct,”  and  the  place  selected  for  voting  was  at 
the  house  of  Fergus  Milligan.  It  then  etnbraced  within  its  boun- 
dary a large  part  of  Buckhart,  Mt.  Auburn,  Mosquito  and  the 
north  part  of  Stonington  townships. 

EAiti-Y  si;ttlek.s. 

Among  the  early  settlers  Tiiay  be  mentioned  the  names  of  Eph- 
raim Coo|)er  and  Betijamin  Gigcr,  who  with  their  families  settled 
here  in  1820.  'fhey  were  accompanied  by  John  Cooper  and 
family  and  .Mr.  Cooper,  the  father  of  Ei)hraim  and  .John,  and 
Henry  Oiger  and  William  Bragg.  All  emigrated  from  Tetine.ssee 
in  the  year  1820,  and  settled  on  the  Buckhart.  These  were  the 


pioneers  and  first  settlers  on  the  North  Fork  ; they  came  to  this 
county  in  a keel-boat  by  descending  the  Tennessee  and  Ohio  rivers, 
and  then  ascending  the  Mississipi,  Illinois  and  Sangamon  rivers. 
They  were  industrious  citizens.  Ephraim  Cooper  planted  an  or- 
chard, and  it  was  in  bearing  in  1827.  Benj.  Giger  and  Ephraim 
Cooper  built  the  first  frame  dwelling-houses  in  the  county.  They 
sawed  the  lumber  with  a whip-saw.  John  Cooper  was  a Methodist 
preacher  and  also  a justice  of  the  peace  for  many  years.  William 
Bragg  lived  for  a long  time  at  a place  since  known  as  “Campbell’s 
Point.”  Miss  Fannie,  a sister  of  Ephraim  Cooper,  married  George 
Dickinson  in  1828,  and  his  daughter  married  David  Cagle. 

Other  settlers  were : Martin  Hinkle,  who  came  in  1821;  Moses 
Archer,  in  1827  ; James  Baker,  in  1828.  In  1831  came  Henry 
Davis,  Sr.,  Dial  Davis,  Sr.,  and  John  Davis,  the  father  of  Henry 
and  Dial  Davis,  and  Fergus  Milligan.  The  Wadkins  family  and 
Phillip  and  John  Locker  came  in  1836  ; Col.  Peter  Porter,  in 
1830,  and  Robert  and  William  Hazlett,  in  1831  ; Thomas  Elliott, 
in  1834;  Isaac  Virden,  the  same  year;  John  Crumpton,  in  1835. 
In  1836  Overton  AViliiams,  Henry  S.  Luckett,  John  McKin- 
ney, 4'.  E.  V.  Farris  and  Gustavus  Kilburn.  Tlien  follows 
William  Robbins,  1838;  II.  G.  Lindley,  1839,  and  Samuel  J. 
Sadler. 

Bobert  Hazlett  relates  that  William  and  Robert  Hazlett,  Sr., 
came  to  Christian  county  and  settled  on  the  Buckhart,  in  the  west- 
ern part  of  this  precinct,  before  the  “deep  snow.”  He  tells  many 
interesting  incidents  in  connection  with  that  memorable  period. 
He  states  that  his  father  had  a cotton  gin  and  cleaned  over  3,000 
pounds  of  cotton  a year.  During  the  winter  of  the  “ deep  snow” 
the  family  all  lived  in  one  cabin  twenty  feet  square.  They  kept  a 
barrel  of  pickled  pork  in  the  chimney  corner,  outside  of  the  cabin. 


f|i«  LlbrifJ 
of  the 

UKtv«r«lty  of  llllnof* 


rii«  Librarj 
of  tho 

Ul»fv«r«ify  of  lUtMte. 


Pes  AND  Stock  Farm  OF  CAPT.  WM.  S PEABODY,  Sec.  36,  T.!^  R.l  W.{STONiNG-TONTp.jCHRisTiANCo.,lLL. 


HISTORY  OF  CHRISTIAN  COUNTY,  ILLINOIS. 


235 


covered  and  weighted  down  to  protect  it  from  the  wolves ; he 
states  that  they  butchered  a lot  of  hogs  the  day  the  “ deep  snow  ” com- 
menced falling,  and  they  froze  stiff  hanging  on  the  pole  out-doors, 
and  there  they  remained  for  six  weeks;  that  one  desperately  cold 
night,  his  only  cow  became  fresh,  and  to  save  her  and  the  calf, 
they  drove  them  in  the  cabin  and  kept  them  over  night.  They 
had  no  stable  or  out  house. 

LAND  ENTRIES. 

Moses  Archer  entered  the  first  tract  of  land  in  the  township — 
the  N.  W.  half  S.  W.  quarter  section  13,  township  15,  range  3 — on 
the  27th  November,  1827, — his  mill  seat.  Ephraim  Cooper  en- 
tered the  N.  W.  half  S.  W.  quarter  section  24,  township  15,  range 
3,  April  4,  1829.  The  U.  vS.  land  survey  was  made  in  July,  1821. 
Benj.  Giger  entered  May  9,  1829,  the  S.  W.  (juarter  of  section  22. 

FIRST  MARRIAGE. 

The  first  marriage  within  the  bounds  of  this  township  was  George 
Dickson  to  Francis  Cooper,  a sister  of  Ephraim  Cooper,  on  the 
13th  of  September,  1823.  The  license  was  issued  .by  Charles  E. 
Matheney,  Clerk  of  Sangamon  county,  and  the  marriage  ceremony 
was  performed  by  Rev.  Rivers  McCormick  of  the  M.  E.  Church. 

Sometimes  in  the  olden  time  it  was  difficult  to  get  the  marriage 
ceremony  performed  even  after  the  license  had  been  procured.  In 
one  of  these  emergencies  Samuel  Lee,  a member  of  the  county 
commissioners’  court,  “ hitched  up  ” a couple  in  1824,  and,  it  is 
said,  proved  a success. 

SCHOOLS. 

The  first  school  taught  in  the  new  settlement  was  in  a rude  cabin 
on  the  farm  east  of  Martin  Hinkle’s  place,  in  1831.  The  teacher 
“ boarded  around,”  and  was  considered  well  qualified,  but  had  one 
bad  trait — he  would  occasionally  take  his  dram,  which  at  times 
would  overpower  him,  and  he  would  fall  into  a profound  sleep.  “ At 
one  time,”  says  our  informant,  “■  when  he  was  asleep,  all  the  scholars 
left  the  school-room  and  went  home,  failing  to  close  the  door  after 
them.  A herd  of  sheep  grazing  on  the  premises  took  shelter  in  the 
school-room,  and  when  the  “ master”  awoke  from  his  slumbers,  he 
was  astonished  at  the  character  and  appearance  of  his  pupils. 

MILL.S. 

“ Archie’s  Mill  ” was  built  at  a very  early  day,  on  the  banks  of 
the  Sangamon  River.  It  was  a saw  and  grist  mill,  and  propelled 
by  the  waters  of  that  stream.  It  was  largely  patronized  by  the  sur- 
rounding country  before  the  “ deep  snow,”  and  long  after  it  served 
well  its  day.  “ Baker’s  Mill  ” was  also  one  of  the  early  mills  lo- 
cated on  the  Sangamon  river,  about  five  miles  above  Archie’s 
Mill.  It  was  commenced  by  Dial  Davis,  Sr.,  and  completed  by 
James  Baker.  It  was  noted  at  one  time  for  its  many  proprietors ; 
it  was  largely  patronized  ; was  a saw  and  grist  mill.  After  the 
“ deep  snow  ” in  1831  there  was  a ]>oor  crop  of  corn.  The  weather 
was  cold,  and  early  frost  seriously  injured  it.  It  is  said  there  was  a 
slight  frost  in  almost  every  month  during  the  season.  Good  “ seed- 
corn  ” in  the  spring  of  1832  was  very  scarce.  It  was  this  same 
spring  that  Capt.  Bougue’s  steamboat  ascended  the  Sangamon  river 
to  the  “ Portland  landing.”  It  was  principally  freighted  with  corn. 
A writer  to  the  Springfield  Journal,  from  White  Hall,  under  date 
of  October,  1847,  says : Forty-three  years  ago  there  was  a frost  on 
the  morning  of  September  12th  that  was  more  severe  than  any  that 
we  have  yet  experienced.” 

This  date  would  make  it  September  12,  1831,  the  fall  after  the 
deep  snow,  which  was  so  destructive  to  the  corn  crop,  and  the  next 
spring,  1832,  experienced  so  much  difficulty  in  procuring  seed  corn. 
The  steamboat  cargo  helped  to  supply  that  deficiency.  It  was  just 


the  thing  the  country  wanted,  and  the  captain  sold  it  out  for  $2.50 
per  bushel.  There  was  a still  further  demand,  when  the  captain 
advertised  to  make  a second  trip  with  his  boat,  and  deliver  at  the 
landing  10,000  bushels  in  April  of  that  year,  if  subscribed  for  in 
advance,  but  the  boat  never  returned. 

Supervisors. — Jno.  M.  Hill,  elected  1866;  David  Henshie,  1867  ; 

D.  Davis,  1868;  Victor  Thompson,  1869;  Eli  Porter,  1870,  re- 
elected 1871 ; J.  M.  Hill,  1872,  re-elected  1873;  J.  M.  Hill,  1874 ; 

M.  V.  Swick,  1875;  H.  Bloxam,  1876;  John  A.  Hazlett,  1877, 
re-elected  1878  and  ’79  ; D.  T.  Barrett,  1880. 

A.s.sessors. — Henry  Keiser,  J.  K.  Cawood,  two  terms  ; J.  S.  Fos- 
ter, L.  N.  Smith,  two  terms  ; A.  P.  Miller,  Jacob  Cooper,  W.  Mark- 
well,  John  H.  Fawcett,  AV.  Y.  Crosthwait,  two  terms,  J.  H.  Meachan. 

J.  P.  Cooper,  1876;  AV.  Y.  Crosthwait,  1877,  re-elected  1878; 
.John  Meacham,  1879. 

Collectors. — Dial  Davis,  1866 ; Robert  A.  Hazlett,  1867  ; Richard 
Jones,  1868  ; J.  C.  Paxton,  1869,  re-elected  1870  ; John  Cole,  1871 ; 

J.  C.  Paxton,  1872 ; AV.  C.  Sharp,  1873,  re-elected  1874;  F.  P. 
Davis,  1875  ; J.  AV.  Hartsock,  1876,  re-elected  1877  ; S.  N.  Neblock, 
1878;  B.  R.  Parrish,  1879,  re-elected  1880. 

Toivn  Clerics. — Hezekiah  Davidson,  Richard  Kimball,  James 
AVhite,  AV.  C.  Shar}),  H.  S Perrish,  O.  Z.  Housley,  prior  to  1876  ; 

O.  Z.  Housley,  1876;  A.  L.  Parrish,  1877,  re-elected  1878;  O. 

Z.  Housley,  1879. 

Commissioners  of  Highways. — James  S.  Milligan,  AVm.  M.  Loxton, 
John  Hazlett,  II.  N.  North,  J.  H.  Lawrence,  AVm.  T.  Baker,  John 
Montgomery,  Duncan  Lahue,  Thomas  Harris,  AA'^.  H.  Auger,  G.  A. 
Parrish,  Fleming  Prickett,  J.  A.  Hazlett,  1876  ; John  Montgomery, 
1877  ; AVm.  Augur,  1878  ; Duncan  Lahue,  1879. 

Justices  of  the  Peace. — T.  P.  Kipper,  Asa . Montgomery,  AA^m.  E. 
Pettis,  F.  Henshie,  A.  AA^.  Broadess,  H.  Bloxam,  P.  P.  Daigh,  John 
H.  Lawrence,  and  P.  P.  Daigh. 

Constables. — George  Housley,  Martin  V.  Swick,  John  C.  Paxton 
and  James  R.  Foster. 

MT.  ALBURN 

The  following  notes  of  the  editor  of  the  Sangamon  Journal,  of 
September  18,  1839,  are  expressive  of  the  status  of  this  section  of 
country  at  that  date.  “ Messrs.  John  Grigg,  J.  A^.  AA’^illiamson  and  - 
Augustus  S.  Mitchell,  of  Philadelphia,  Pa.,  Cyrus  P.  Smith,  of 
Brooklyn,  N.  Y.,  Elias  P.  Bishoji,  of  New  Haven,  Ct.,  and  J.  B. 
Augur,  now  a resident  of  Mt.  Auburn,  are  the  proprietors  of  a tract 
of  land  in  Dane  county  (late  south-east  part  of  Sangamon  county), 
containing  about  40,000  acres,  15,000  of  which  are  heavily  timbered. 
The  entry  lies  on  and  south  of  the  North  Fork  of  the  Sangamon 
river,  and  is,  on  the  north  and  east,  bounded  by  Mosquito  (or  Silver 
Creek) ; west  by  Buckhart  Creek,  and  south  by  prairie.  It  is  about 
ten  miles  long  and  six  broad.  About  the  centre  of  this  tract  rises  IVIt. 
Auburn,  elevated  some  fifty  feet  above  the  surrounding  country. 
This  elevation  is  most  beautiful  and  commands  an  extensive  view, 
overlooking  the  country  for  some  ten  or  fifteen  miles,  and  embracing 
within  the  limits  of  vision  the  towns  of  Allenton,  Stoningtou,  and 
but  for  an  intervening  skirt  of  timber  Edinburg,  and  part  of  San- 
gamon and  Logan  counties.  The  improvements  in  Mt.  Auburn  are 
at  this  time  limited.  It  was  surveyed  and  platted  by  J.  R.  Skinner, 
July  11, 1839  ; not  a blow  had  been  struck  for  its  improvement  until 
this  date.  Now  it  has  one  large  store,  one  large  barn,  designed  for 
the  use  of  a tavern,  and  one  dwelling-house.  Materials  are  now 
collected  for  the  erection  of  a brick  tavern  house,  which  it  is  in- 
tended will  be  second  to  none  in  the  state,  the  walls  of  which  will 
be  commenced  forthwith.  A brick  church  (an  evidence  of  the  higli 
moral  and  religious  feeling  of  Mr.  Grigg,  as  well  as  his  liberality), 
will  be  erected  in  the  ensuing  spring.  There  are  already  several 


236 


HISTORY  OF  CHRISTIAN  COUNTY,  ILLINOIS. 


superior  eastern  mechanics  located  in  the  place,  embracing  joiners,  | 
carpenters,  blacksmiths,  tailors,  masons,  and  brick-makers.  As  an 
evidence  of  the  health  of  the  place,  a case  of  sickness  has  not 
occurred  among  them.  Mt.  Auburn  is  located  on  8ec.  12,  T.  15,  | 

Range  2 W.  It  is  twenty-two  miles  from  Springfield  and  twenty 
south-west  of  Decatur.  It  lies  on  the  main  road  from  Springfield  | 
to  Terre  Haute,  which  is  a leading  route  for  travelers.  It  is  within 
five  miles  of  the  Northern  Cross  railroad,  and  about  eighteen  miles 
from  the  Illinois  Central  railroad.  It  is  expected  that  the  Northern 
Cross  railroad  will  be  completed  from  the  Illinois  river  to  Spring-  | 
field  by  the  1st  of  June,  1840,  which  will  be  within  twenty-two 
miles  of  Mt.  Auburn.  I 

Within  a circuit  of  eight  miles  around  Mt.  Auburn  140  families 
are  located.  The  population  recently  arrived  is  mostly  from  the 
New  England  states.  The  old  residents  are  generally  from  Ken- 
tucky, Tennessee  and  the  south.  The  tract  of  country  belonging  to 
this  company,  for  beauty,  fertility  and  health  we  do  not  believe  is 
exceeded  in  any  location  in  the  state.  The  land  is  gently  and 
agreeably  undulating,  such  as  any  eastern  man  would  select  for  a ; 

farm,  every  foot  of  which  seems  capable  of  cultivation.  The  soil  i 

generally  is  equal  to  the  best  portions  of  Sangamon  ; it  contains  a j 

larger  portion  of  sand  than  some  of  our  soils,  and  as  experience  j 

has  shown,  this  description  of  soil  will  stand  the  drought  much  I 

better  than  heavier  soils,  and  at  the  same  time  is  much  warmer  and  | 

can  be  improved  earlier  in  the  season.  The  policy  of  the  company  I 

is  liberal ; they  wish  to  secure  an  intelligent,  moral  and  industrious 
population.  To  secure  these  results,  they  will  dispose  of  neither 
lands  or  town  lots,  but  to  such  as  will  make  actual  settlements.” 

DANE  COUNTY,  (NOW  CHRISTIAN  COUNTY’),  [ 

“Is  situated  in  a very  desirable  climate  removed  from  the  extremes  | 

of  heat  and  cold — in  about  the  latitude  of  Philadelphia.  The  | 

winters  from  necessity,  are  much  shorter  than  those  of  the  New  | 

England  states,  and  the  cost  and  labor  of  raising  cattle  is  almost  in-  | 

comparably  less.  All  the  fruits,  vegetables  and  grapes,  which  | 

flourish  in  the  northern  states,  here  succeed  in  great  perfection  and  | 

with  far  le.ss  labor,  and  besides  the  country  produces  southern  vege- 
tables to  which  the  farmers  of  tlic  north  arc  strangers.  The  facility 
of  making  farms  upon  our  prairies  is  good,  'fhe  emigrant  can  make 
a better  farm  in  the  prairie  in  two  or  three  years  time  than  in  j 
timbered  land  in  fifteen  years.  The  country  in  a short  period  of  j 
time  must  become  densely  populated.  The  company  design  to  I 
erect  a steam  mill  at  Mt.  Auburn  the  ensuing  spring.  It  will  secure 
the  rapid  improvement  of  the  town.  There  is  a saw-mill  within 
four  miles  of  the  town,  on  the  Sangamon  river,  propelled  by  water 
plover,  but  it  is  not  able  to  sujqily  a tithe  of  the  demand  for  lumber. 
John  (irigg’s  liberality  to  this  town  is  known  and  acknowledged. 
Will  iamson  is  an  opulent  and  retired  merchant  of  Philadelphia. 
Mr.  Mitchell  is  well  known  as  the  juiblisher  of  most  of  the  majis  of 
the  day.  Mr.  Hi.'ihop  is  a stock  man,  and  is  making  arrangements 
to  bring  to  this  county  a valuable  breed  of  foreign  cattle.  ’ 

Sfiniii  Mill. — The  first  steam  mill  built  in  the  county  was 
by  .lohn  U.  Augur,  in  Mt.  Auburn,  in  the  summer  of  1840.  The 
works  were  furnished  by  'I'.  F.  Secor  A'  Co.,  of  Philadcljihia  ; con- 
sisting of  a steam  engine,  twenty-horse  jiower,  with  sufficient  boiler 
for  steam  !uid  mill  gear  for  two  run  of  stones;  and  for  two  saws — 
together  with  mill  stnnes,  burr,  bolting  cloth  all  complete,  and  same 
delivered  at  Heardstown,  Illinois,  for  85.300.  Mr.  Augur  was  the 
agent  of  the  Eastern  colony,  settling  in  and  around  Mt.  Auburn. 
None  but  the  saw  mill  ami  one  pair  of  burrs,  for  grinding  corn, 
was  ever  put  in  operiition.  'Phis  enter|)rise  measurably  failed, 
owing  to  the  “ hard  times  ” and  dcpre.ssion  in  monetary  matters,  i 


caused  by  the  financial  panic  of  1837.  The  mill  in  a year  or  two 
was  sold,  and  the  works  removed  to  Beardstown. 

The  bounds  of  the  North  Fork  precinct,  were  reduced  from 
time  to  time  in  the  formation  of  new  jJrecincts  ; but  Mt.  Auburn 
and  Mosquito  townships  remained  together  till  the  adoption  of 
township  organization  in  the  spring  of  1866.  The  places  of  voting 
have  been  at  diflerent  points  ; first  at  Forgus  Milligans,  when  the 
county  was  organized ; second,  at  Dr.  Leeds’  place,  now  owned  by 
Daniel  Kiger;  third,  on  Esquire  John  Benson’s  farm,  now  owned 
by  Dial  Davis ; fourth,  M.  P.  Goodrich’s  old  farm  residence ; fifth, 
Mt.  Auburn  and  sixth  at  Bolivar.  At  the  organization  of  the 
county,  the  North  Fork  precinct  elected,  August  5th,  1839,  A.  D. 
Northeutt  and  James  Baker  its  first  justices  of  the  peace,  and  James 
M.  Fletcher  and  Thos.  E.  V.  Farris,  its  first  constables.  The  total 
vote  then  cast  in  the  whole  northern  part  of  the  county  was  about 
lOO-  At  the  presidential  election  in  November,  1876,  embracing 
the  same  territory,  the  total  vote  cast  was  about  1000.  In  Mt. 
Auburn  township,  at  this  same  election,  the  vote  cast  was  379. 

On  the  adoption  of  township  organization  in  1866,  the  county 
court  formed  the  Mt.  Auburn  precinct,  by  placing  together  the 
fractional  parts  of  three  townships:  Townships  15-2;  15-3;  16-2 
W.  It  is  in  triangular  form,  nine  miles  long  by  seven  wide  at 
its  widest  point,  rendered  fractional  by  the  meanderings  of  the  San- 
gamon river.  It  embraces  an  area  of  44  .square  miles.  At  the 
first  election  held  under  township  organization,  April  3d,  1866, 
John  M.  Hill  was  chosen  its  first  supervisor;  Asa  Montgomery  and 
Charles  Cole,  justices  of  the  peace. 

The  cholera  prevailed  alarmingly  at  Mt.  Auburn  in  1852.  Forty 
victims  were  carried  oft'  by  this  dreadful  scourge.  Among  them 
was  the  wife  of  E.squire  Knight,  and  daughter  of  the  old  jiioneer, 
Mylo  Skinner,  late  of  Greenwood  township.  Dr.  Tupper,  one  of 
the  old  pioneer  settlers  of  Mt.  Auburn  township,  lost  his  life  whilst 
sitting  on  the  end  of  a flour  barrel ; tbe  wagon  on  going  off  from  a 
bridge  dro{>ped  suddenly,  and  he  was  precipitated  under  the 
wheels  and  killed. 

Old  Martin  Hinkle,  at  a very  early  day,  sold  whisky.  It  is  re- 
lated of  him  that  he  could  neither  read  nor  write,  but  kept  his 
accounts  on  the  wall.  It  was  at  that  period  customary  for  candi- 
dates to  treat  before  elections  ; some  would  deposit  some  money  for 
that  })urpose,  others  not.  It  made  no  difference ; he  always  opened 
an  account,  with  each  candidate  as  his  friends  called  for  a drink, 
by  having  his  name  legibly  written  high  upon  the  wall,  and  under 
this  he  kept  a kind  of  tally  list  with  chalk.  As  he  doled  out  a 
glass  he  would  chalk  one.  His  ledger  was  large ; and  you  could 
find  the  name  of  every  prominent  man  in  the  county,  whether 
candidate,  teacher  or  preacher,  for  years  afterwards  on  the  walls. 
He  never  balamed  his  ledger  ; the  account  always  stood  unpaid. 

I'Mi-bj  Preacher.'!. — The  first  sermons  iireached  in  this  township 
were  by  Aaron  Vandeveer  and  William  Crow,  Baptist  ministers,  at 
the  bouse  of  Mr.  Hancock  in  the  year  1831. 

First  School. — Was  taught  in  the  township  by  Patrick  O Bryan. 

Fir,'<t  Ilirlh. — The  first  child  was  born  in  October,  1830,  the  son 
of  William  George;  he  was  christened  George  William  George. 

VII.I.AHE  OF  MT.  AURURN  (RARTIAL  RECAPITULATION), 

Was  laid  out  by  John  B.  Augur,  John  Grigg,  I.  V.  Williamson, 
Cyrus  P.  Smith,  Elias  B.  Bishop  and  Augustus  hlitchell.  The 
above  were  the  original  proprietors.  The  location  of  the  town  is 
■section  12;  township,  15-2;  T.  R.  Skinner,  county  surveyor,  of 
Logan  county,  made  the  survey.  The  chain  carriers  were  William 
Robins,  Pichard  Simkins  and  Jackson  Caywood. 

'fhe  first  store  was  kept  by  .John  B.  Augur,  in  the  year  1839. 


HISTORY  OF  CHRISTIAN  COUNTY,  ILLINOIS. 


237 


The  same  fall  he  sold  out  to  the  firm  of  Camp,  Bradish  & Co. 
William  Phillips  was  the  pioneer  blacksmith  in  1840.  The  first 
resident  physician  was  Dr.  J.  Hughes.  In  February,  1857,  two 
tiers  of  blocks  were  vacated  on  the  north  and  south,  and  one  tier 
of  blocks  on  the  east  and  west  side. 

The  first  buildings  erected  were  by  the  founders  of  the  town  in 
1839  ; store-house,  dwelling-house  and  hotel ; the  hotel  was  a brick 
building  21  stories  high.  It  was  never  completed  and  was  taken 
down  in  the  year  1876. 

Thomas  Marr  kept  hotel  here  in  1840  and  1841  ; the  next  two 
years  the  building  w’as  occupied  as  a residence,  by  Warner  and 
Gates,  who  operated  the  first  mill  here  in  1842,  as  before  stated  ; the 
mill  was  afterwards  sold  and  moved  to  Beai’dstown. 

The  first  sermon  pi’eached  in  the  village,  was  by  Rev.  Dresser, 
now  a resident  of  Springfield.  The  post-office  was  established  in 
1839,  and  John  B.  Augur  was  the  first  post-master. 

Present  Busiiie-is  Houses. — General  dry-goods  store,  by  Richard 
Kimball ; groceries  and  drugs,  by  Dial  Davis  & Son;  groceries  and 
drugs,  by  H.  D.  Parker.  Mr.  Parker  is  also  post-master. 

Cabinet  Maker  and  Undertaker,  Ezekiel  Sargeant. 

Blacksmiths,  Jacob  M.  Wise,  John  Sargeant. 

Carriage  and  Wagon  Maker — E.  R.  Mooney. 

Wagon  Maker — D.  Everet. 

Hotel,  kept  by  William  F.  Milligan. 

Painter — A.  S.  Parrish. 

Harness  and  Shoe  Maker — J.  R.  Vanderbelt. 

Physicians — Henry  Bloxam,  J.  II.  Law'rence,  A.  Conel,  J.  B. 
Matthew,  ().  C.  Reynolds.  In  1860  the  M.  E.  church  w'as  built; 
it  is  quite  a comfortable  house  34x40  feet.  In  1869  the  Christian 
church  was  erected  ; it  is  36x48  feet  in  size.  The  present  school- 
house  was  built  in  1861.  There  are  also  two  saloons  in  the  place. 

Believing  that  it  would  be  of  interest  to  our  readers,  we  subjoin 
the  changes  in  business  that  have  taken  place  in  Mt.  Auburn.  The 
third  store  was  kept  by  John  S.  Foster;  it  was  a general  store. 
He  began  business  in  1847,  and  two  years  later  sold  out  to  Henry 
Davis,  who  carried  on  the  business  about  one  year.  He  sold  the 
establishment  to  1*.  N.  Hooper,  and  V.  D.  Emert.  About  three 
months  after  Hooper  sold  his  interest  to  his  partner,  and  Emert  con- 
tinued by  himself  only  about  three  months  and  then  quit  business. 
In  1851  P.  B.  Night  & Co.  started  a general  dry  goods  and  grocery 
store ; two  years  after  sold  out  to  John  S.  Foster,  and  in  1854  Mr. 
Foster  sold  to  M.  Stafford  & Co.  ; they  continued  the  business  until 
1857,  when  they  were  succeeded  by  C.  E.  Bosworth,  who  continued 
until  1859.  In  1854  P.  B.  Night  opened  a dry-goods  and  grocery 
store,  and  in  1856  sold  to  John  Cole,  who  turned  the  stock  into 
clothing,  and  about  six  months  afterward  consolidated  his  stock 
with  C.  E.  Bosworth. 

John  B.  Zaring  built  a store-house  in  the  fall  of  1857,  and  started 
a general  store,  and  continued  in  business  until  some  time  in  1858  ; 
then  sold  to  Robert  H.  Fowkes,  who  continued  about  six  months. 
The  store  afterward  occupied  by  D.  Davis  & Son  was  built  by  M. 
P.  Goodrich,  in  the  year  1856,  who  carried  on  a general  dry-goods 
business  until  1859,  when  he  sold  to  B.  R.  Parrish,  who  continued 
in  business  until  1860.  Benjamin  Ellis  started  a general  store  in 
1862,  and  continued  until  1867.  On  March  26,  1859,  M.  Stafford 
opened  a store  and  continued  in  business  until  Feb.  19th,  1866, 
when  he  sold  out  to  John  Jones,  who  continued  until  April,  1867. 

Present  officers,  J.  G.  Harvey,  W.  M.,  H.  C.  Shanafelt,  S.  W.' 
Ira  Lindsley,  J.  W , F.  M.  Thomas,  Treas.,  O.  Z.  Housley,  Sec-, 
P.  P.  Daigh,  S.  D.,  G.  L.  Daigh,  J.  D , J.  K.  Porter,  Chaplain, 
J.  S.  Richards,  Tyler. 

Present  membership  37.  Lodge  owns  half  the  hall. 


M.  Stafford  began  business  again  in  March,  1869,  and  continued 
until  the  first  of  January,  1873,  when  he  sold  to  R.  Kimball,  who 
carried  on  the  business  until  the  spring  of  1878,  since  which  time 
Mr.  Kimball  has  conducted  the  business  for  J.  R.  Race,  of  Decatur. 
Davis  and  White  opened  a drug  and  grocery  store  in  November, 
1872,  and  were  burned  out  February  14th,  1873.  During  the 
years  1871-72  Dr.  Lawrence  carried  on  a drug  store  From  ’68 
to  ’70  Messrs.  Cook  and  Thompson  carried  on  a general  dry-goods 
store.  On  the  6th  of  November,  1873,  Davis  and  Bloxam  started 
a drug  and  grocery  store.  On  the  1st  of  January,  1875,  Bloxam 
retired  from  business,  and  in  March,  1877,  Davis  sold  out  to  Dr.  J. 
B.  Matthew,  who  occupied  it  until  July,  1878,  since  which  time  the 
store  has  been  carried  on  by  D.  Davis  & Son.  In  1863  Dr  Conel 
opened  a drug  store  and  continued  in  business  until  1876,  at  which 
time  he  sold  out  to  H.  D.  Parker. 

GROVE  CITY. 

The  village  of  Grove  City  is  situated  on  section  34,  township  15, 
range  2.  It  is  located  in  the  midst  of  a rich  agricultural  district, 
and  among  an  enterprising  and  thrifty  class  of  people.  It  is  about 
ten  miles  and  a half  due  north  of  Taylorville. 

The  first  house  was  erected  by  E.  N.  Hogland  in  1858;  it  was 
a frame  building.  F.  H.  Henshie  opened  and  kept  the  first  store. 
The  first  Blacksmith  shop  was  built  and  operated  by  A.  Henshie. 
The  first  sermon  was  preached  by  Rev.  B.  F.  Hungerford,  in  the 
year  1865.  The  first  school  was  taught,  in  1876,  by  Sylvester  Pat- 
terson. The  first  physician  was  Dr.  H.  J.  Grismer,  who  located 
here  in  1864.  A post-office  was  established  here  in  1862,  F.  H. 
Henshie  post-master.  The  present  school-house  was  erected  in  1876. 
The  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  was  built  in  1866. 

PRESENT  RUSINESS  HOUSES. 

Dry  Goods  Store. — Owned  by  R.  Little,  of  Decatur,  and  man- 
aged by  H.  C.  Shanafelt. 

Drug  and  Grocery  Store. — J.  G.  Harvey  & Co. 

Boot  and  Shoe  Store. — John  Engle. 

The  Blacksmiths  are  A.  Flock,  and  M.  Collins. 

Harness  Maker.  - F.  M.  Thomas. 

Wagon  Maker  and  Undertaker. — S.  J.  Snyder. 

House  and  Sign  Painter. — Rufus  Housley. 

The  Physicians  are  Dr.  W.  H.  Vermilion  and  Dr.  J.  G.  Harvey. 

The  resident  Methodist  minister  is  Rev.  R.  L.  Robinson. 

The  Benevolent  Societies  are  as  follows : — 

Grove  City  Lodge,  No.  275,  I.  0.  0.  F.,  was  instituted  May  3, 
1872.  The  charter  members  were  John  Cole,  Eli  Porter,  John  C. 
Paxton,  Henry  Kirk,  J.  M.  Milligan,  ^Vm.  E.  Petters,  J.  H.  Law- 
rance,  Henry  Bloxam,  J.  W.  Johnson. 

First  officers,  J.  C.  Paxton,  N.  G.,  Eli  Porter,  V.  G.,  Henry 
Bloxam,  Sec.,  Henry  Kirk,  Treas. 

lUesent  officers,  R.  W.  Bowman,  N.  G.,  V.  T.  Houston,  V.  G., 
J.  H.  Davis,  R.  S.,  J.  C.  Paxton,  P.  S.,  H.  C.  Shanafelt,  Treas. 
Present  membership  is  34.  The  lodge  owns  half  of  the  hall. 

Fisher  Lodge,  No.  585,  A.  F.  J;  A-  M.  Dispensation  granted 
Nov.  15,  1867.  The  charter  members  were  R.  A.  Hazlett,  A.  D. 
Bond,  John  Hazlett,  J.  A.  Short,  Eli  Porter,  J.  G.  Porter,  L.  Smith 
J.  W.  Davidson,  Wm.  Daigh. 

First  officers,  J.  G.  Harvey,  W.  M.,  E.  P.  May,  S.  W.,  John 
Hazlett,  J.  W.,  R.  A.  Hazlett,  Treas.,  L.  Smith,  Sec.,  J.  W.  David- 
son, S.  D.,  J.  A.  Short,  J.  D.,  H.  N.  North,  Tyler. 

BOLIVIA  POST  OFFICE. 

Is  situated  on  section  18,  Tp.  15,  range  2.  The  route  was  established 
on  March  4th,  1878,  and  the  first  mail  was  received  December  13, 
1879.  F.  Prickett  is  post-master,  and  W.  T.  Baker  deputy  P.  M. 


B I O G E A P PI  T C A L 8 K T C IT  E S. 


Among  the  ])roniineiit  old  citizens  of  Christian  county,  may  he 
mentioned  the  name  tliat  lieads  tliis  sketch.  Jle  was  born  in  Bour- 
bon county,  Kentucky,  June  29th,  1828.  ilis  father,  James  Baker, 
emigrated  to  Illinois  when  the  subject  of  our  sketch  was  a babe. 
I le  was  also  a native  of  Bourbon  county,  Kentucky,  and  was  the 
tenth  white  child  born  in  that  county.  His  father,  Isaac  Baker, 
wa.H  a native  of  Maryland,  and  participated  in  flic  Revolutionary 
war.  IIewa.-<of  German  de.sccnt,  and  emigrated  from  Maryland 
to  Kentucky  soon  after  the  close  of  tlie  above  war.  lie  there  mar- 
ried Miss  I’eggy  Waddle.  They  raised  a family  of  twelve  children, 
nine  sons  and  three  daughters.  In  1828  he  emigrated  to  Illinois 
with  his  family  and  settled  in  Sangamon  county.  Si.x  of  his  .sons 
were  married  and  had  families,  lie  and  four  ol  his  sons  settled  in 
the  above  named  county  in  1828,  where  he  lived  until  his  death,  at 
the  advanced  age  of  ninety-six  year.«.  i lis  wife  preceded  him  about 
six  years,  at  the  age  of  eighty-six.  Her  death  was  the  first  in  the 
family  after  their  marriage,  and  at  this  time  her  youngest  child  was 
238 


fifty-four  years  of  age.  At  the  time  of  Isaac  Baker’s  death,  he  had 
one  hundred  and  sixty-three  children,  grand-children  and  great- 
grand-children.  He  followed  the  life  of  a farmer,  and  lived  a 
(piiet  and  unostentatious  life ; made  himself  a good,  comfortable 
home,  and  lived  a much  respected  citizen.  His  son  James  settled 
in  what  is  now  Christian  county,  before  it  was  organized,  and  when 
it  was  cut  off  from  Sangamon  the  division  made  him  a citizen  of 
Christian  county.  lie  Avas  married  in  Kentucky,  before  coming  to 
Illinois,  to  a Miss  Nancy  Squires.  They  had  seven  children  born 
to  them  in  Kentucky,  and  two  in  Illinois.  For  a number  of  years 
James  Baker  served  as  constable,  while  under  the  jurisdiction  of 
Sangamon.  At  the  first  election  held  in  Christian  county,  he  was 
clcctcil  justice  of  the  peace,  an  office  he  held  for  eight  years.  He 
built  a water  mill  on  the  North  Fork  of  the  Sangamon  river  in 
183.').  It  was  a .«aw  and  grist  mill,  familiarly  known  as  “Baker’s 
Mill.” 

He  took  a great  interest  in  all  agricultural  movements.  lie 


H ICKORY  QHOVE  farm’*  ScEN  ES  upon  th  e Stock  Farm  of  S.J.  S ADLER,  Sec.  35, T.  15  R.  2 \A/.(Mt.AuburhTp^ChristianCoJu. 


HISTORY  OF  CHRISTIAN  COUNTY,  ILLINOIS. 


231) 


was  one  of  the  foremost  exhil)itors  of  stock  at  the  county  fairs, 
lie  was  an  old  line  whig,  and  usually  took  an  active  part  in  the 
elections.  He  was  an  energetic  and  industrious  farmer,  and  did 
everything  in  his  power  to  further  the  development  of  his  county, 
lie  died  on  the  place  he  imj)roved,  at  the  age  of  eighty-two,  on  the 
14th  of  February,  1869.  His  wife’s  death  occurred  three  years 
afterward,  at  the  same  age.  W.  F.  Baker  was  here  brought  up. 
He  assisted  his  father  on  the  farm  and  at  the  mill  during  his 
minority.  At  the  age  of  twenty-six  he  went  to  California  overland, 
and  returned  the  same  way,  after  four  years.  While  in  California 
he  carried  on  a hotel  and  livery  stable.  He  returned  to  Illinois, 
and  after  two  years  he  was  united  in  marriage  to  IMiss  Sarah  E. 
Green.  She  was  a native  of  Ohio.  They  have  a family  of  f)ur 
children,  two  boys  and  two  girls,  viz.:  John  S.,  Fannie  Winneford, 
Ijillie  Ann  and  Henry  Turley.  After  l\Ir.  Bakers  marriage,  he 
began  farming  and  stock-raising  in  Mt.  Auburn  township,  where  he 
now'  resides.  He  has  also  been  engaged  in  shipping  stock  nearly 
twenty  yeans.  He  takes  cpiite  an  interest  in  the  agricultural  society 
of  the  county,  as  his  father  did  before  him,  and  for  seventeen  years 
he  has  been  represented  in  the  stock  ring  as  a prominent  exhibitor. 
At  one  time  he  had  twenty-one  head  of  stock  on  exhihition  and 
carried  away  twenty-three  premiums.  He  takes  a j)ride  in  line 
horses,  and  knows  one  when  he  sees  it.  During  his  younger  days, 
when  the  country  was  new  and  game  plenty,  he  took  delight  in 
hunting.  He  would  often  kill  four  or  live  deer  in  one  day  with  his 
rifle,  and  on  one  occasion  he  killed  twenty  deer  in  a single  day, 
under  the  following  circumstances:  There  came  a heavy  rain  upon 
a snow,  and  it  froze,  making  the  whole  country  a sheet  of  ice,  and, 
upon  horse-back,  with  a hickory  club  in  hand,  it  was  no  trouble  to 
slay  the  deer,  which  were  wholly  at  the  hunters’  mercy. 

When  Mr.  Baker  started  out  in  life,  he  was  unaided.  All  he 
possessed  were  two  willing  hands  and  a good  constitution.  He  has 
made  all  he  owns  by  industrious  toil  and  fair  dealing.  He  is  now 
Notary  Public.  Politically  he  is  a firm  and  uncompromising  re 
publican.  He  voted  that  ticket  in  North  Fork  precinct,  when  it 
comprised  the  northern  part  of  the  county,  and  jiolled  seven  hun- 
dred and  forty-four  votes,  seven  hundred  and  forty  democrats  and 
four  republicans.  The  other  three  republicans  were  his  father, 
George  Housley  and  W.  Y.  Crosthwait.  Such  is  the  outline  of  an 
industrious  and  practical  farmer  of  Christian  county. 


HENRY  BLOXAM,  M.  D., 

Was  born  in  the  city  of  Philadelphia,  Pa.,  March  17,  1861.  He 
was  the  son  of  Henry  and  Elizabeth  Ann  Bloxam.  Henry  Bloxam 
was  a native  Englishman,  and  emigrated  to  America  in  about  1825. 
He  was  a man  of  fine  education  and  good  business  qualifications. 
Upon  his  landing  in  America,  he  immediately  found  employment 
in  the  old  established  book  firm  of  Grigg  & Elliott;  for  fourteen 
years  he  was  their  book-keeper,  and  had  charge  of  the  entire  busi- 
ness. He  then  met  and  married  his  wife,  Elizabeth  Ann  Horwath, 
October  7,  1828;  she  was  a native  of  New  Jersey.  Mr.  Bloxam 
there  raised  his  family  of  five  cliildren,  the  doctor  being  the  second, 
and  now  the  only  surviving  member  of  the  family.  His  father,  as 
above  stated,  had  a good  position  in  Philadeljjhia,  and  saved  money, 
and,  being  desirous  to  invest  it  in  some  paying  busines.s,  came 
west  in  1839,  and  started  a general  storepn  Mt.  Auburn,  under  the 
name  of  Camp,  Braddish  & Co.  He  then  returned  to  Philadelphia. 
Camp  and  Braddish  were  to  carry  on  the  business,  and  receive  part 
of  the  profits.  After  two  years  Mr.  Bloxam  found  it  was  not  a 
paying  investment,  and  from  reports  that  the  firm  was  not  in  a good 


condition,  financially,  he  so  informed  his  employees,  and  told  them 
also,  that  he  would  be  comj)clled  to  resign  his  position,  to  look 
after  his  affairs  in  the  west,  and  that  he  intended  to  make  the  west 
his  future  home.  IMr.  Bloxam  had  been  a good  and  faithful  man 
to  them  and  as  much  as  they  disliked  to  j>art  with  him,  they  told 
him  that  if  it  was  his  desire  to  go  west,  they  wished  him  well, 
and  further,  in  token  of  their  friendshij),  they  presented  him  a 
deed  for  six  hundred  and  forty  acres  of  land,  in  one  body,  lying 
in  what  is  now  Buckhart  township.  So  in  1841,  he  came  to  Mt. 
Auburn  the  second  time,  and  brought  out  his  family.  His  expec- 
tations were  fully  realized.  When  he  arrived  at  IMt.  Auburn  he 
soon  found  that  he  had  been  victimized  to  the  amount  of  two 
thousand  dollars.  He  closed  out  the  entire  business,  and  turned 
over  the  entire  stock  of  goods  on  hand,  to  the  creditors  of  the  firm. 
He  then  began  the  life  of  a farmer,  an  entirely  new  business  to  him. 
The  land  that  had  been  presented  to  him,  lay  at  the  head  of  Buck- 
hart  Grove.  He  improved  part  of  this  section,  and  for  many  years 
it  was  known  as  the  Bloxam  farm.  IMr.  Bloxam  lived  U2)on  this 
place  until  his  death,  which  occurred  Augiust  18,  1844.  He  was  a 
man  of  the  most  straightforward  rectitude  in  business,  and  his 
honesty  was  never  doubted.  His  wife  survived  him  ten  years. 
She  died  in  Springfield,  August  6, 1854.  The  subject  of  our  sketch 
began  the  study  of  medicine  with  Dr.  Leeds,  of  Mechanicsburg,  Illi- 
nois, in  the  fall  of  1846.  He  studied  under  the  doctor  for  five 
years,  and  then  began  the  j)raetice  in  IMt  Auburn,  and  for  nearly 
thirty  years  he  has  attended  the  sick,  with  success,  in  that  vicinity. 
In  1857  he  began  the  study  of  law,  and  was  admitted  to  the  bar, 
in  1862.  Since  his  residence  in  Mt.  Auburn,  he  has  held  the  office 
of  Justice  of  the  Peace,  for  about  eighteen  years,  and  was  acting 
deputy  sheriff  for  some  time,  under  Sheriff  Goodrich.  February 
12,  1844,  he  was  united  in  marriage  to  IMiss  Ellen  T.  Parrish,  a 
resident  of  Mt.  Auburn.  4 hey  have  a family  of  five  children,  viz: 
Lucy  E.,  now  the  wife  of  George  E.  Thaxton,  living  near  Mt. 
Auburn,  William  G , Edwin  G , Arthur  IMcLean’,  and  Charles  J. 
In  politics  the  doctor  is  a democrat.  He  represented  his  township 
in  the  Board  of  Siqiervisors,  for  one  term;  and  during  his  profes- 
sional connection  with  the  people  of  Christian  county,  he  has  won 
confidence,  as  well  for  his  good  qualities  as  a citizen  and  an  entei’- 
prising  member  of  the  community,  as  for  his  services  and  attain- 
ments as  a physician. 


J.  B.  MATTHEW,  M D., 

A PROMINENT  physician  of  Christian  county,  was  born  near  where 
Palmer  now  stands,  March  2,  1850.  He  was  the  son  of  Oscar  F. 
and  Margaret  Matthew.  His  father  was  a native  of  Virginia,  and 
his  mother  of  Indiana.  Simon  Matthew',  the  grandfather  of  J.  B. 
Matthew,  emigrated  with  his  family  to  Sangamon  county.  Ills,  as 
early  as  1833,  where  he  im[)roved  a farm  in  what  is  now  Cotton 
Hill  township,  and  lived  there  until  his  death.  He  was  known  as 
a careful  and  industrious  farmer,  a plain  and  unassuming  man  and 
a good  citizen.  Oscar  Matthew  was  about  twelve  years  of  age 
when  his  father  moved  into  Sangamon  county.  He  grew  to  man- 
hood in  this  county,  and  there  met  Margaret  Britton,  who  after- 
w'ard  became  his  wife,  in  1845.  They  lived  in  Sangamon  county 
until  December  5,  1849,  when  they  moved  to  Christian  county,  and 
settled  near  where  Palmer  is,  where  he  improved  a farm  and  lived 
several  years,  subsequently  moving  back  to  Cotton  Hill  township, 
Sangamon  county.  Ills.,  where  he  now  lives.  His  life  occupation 
has  been  that  of  a farmer  and  stock-raiser.  He  raised  a family  of 
six  children,  of  whom  the  doctor  is  the  second.  His  elder  brother, 
the  Rev.  W.  S.  Matthew,  is  a prominent  minister  in  the  city  of 


240 


HISTORY  OF  CHRISTIAN  COUNTY,  ILLINOIS. 


Springfield,  111.,  now  having  charge  of  the  M.  E.  Church  of  that 
place. 

The  doctor  was  raised  on  a farm,  and  attended  the  common 
schools  of  tlie  neighborhood,  whereby  he  received  a fair  education. 
At  the  age  of  eighteen,  he  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Amanda 
E.  Lawley,  daughter  of  William  B.  Lawley,  an  old  resident  of 
Sangamon  county.  They  have  one  child,  Charles  E.  The  doctor, 
after  his  marriage,  retnrned  to  Christian  county,  near  Maple  Grove, 
where  he  followed  fanning  for  two  years.  Although  raised  on  a 
farm,  he  never  liked  the  business,  and  thinking  he  was  better  in- 
tended for  some  professional  business,  he  moved  to  Taylorville  and 
began  the  study  of  medicine  under  Drs.  J.  hi.  and  L H.  Clark, 
two  prominent  practitioners  of  that  place.  He  remained  with 
them  abotit  three  years,  after  which  he  attended  the  American 
Medical  College  of  St.  Louis, -where  he  graduated  May  12,  1875. 
He  immediately  began  the  practice  of  his  chosen  profession  in  the 
village  of  Mt.  Auburn,  and  has  so  continued  up  to  the  present 
time  with  agreeable  success.  For  a time  he  was  engaged  in  the 
mercantile  business  in  Mt.  Auburn,  but  his  adventure  proved  un- 
successful. His  intention  in  the  future  is  to  give  his  entire  atten- 
tion to  his  profession.  In  politics  he  is  a republican.  He  is  a gen- 
tleman, popular  for  his  genial  qualities,  and  has  an  excellent  stand- 
ing as  a physician,  and  is,  as  yet  a young  man  full  of  vigor.  He 
will  undoubtedly  add  greater  laurels  to  his  rejnitation. 


P.  COOPER 

Was  the  son  of  John  and  Susannah  Cooper;  he  was  born  in  Sangam- 
on county,  Illinois,  June  29,  182G.  John  Cooper  was  a native  of 
South  Carolina  ; his  fathers  name  was  also  John,  and  he  was  a native 
of  the  Carolinas.  Mr.  Cooper’s  ance.stry  have  lived  in  America  for 
several  generations.  John  Cooper,  the  grandfather  of  the  subject  of 
our  sketch,  was  born  in  South  Carolina,  in  1772.  He  was  married 
there,  and  seven  of  his  children  were  born  in  that  state.  He  moved 
with  his  family  to  Jefferson  county,  Tennessee,  in  1820.  Some  of 
Ids  children  continued  their  we.stern  march  in  the  same  year,  and 
settled  in  Sangamon  county,  Illinois.  He  lived  in  Tennessee  two 
years,  and  then  with  the  remaining  members  of  his  family  came  to 
Sangamon  county,  and  settled  in  what  is  now  Cooper  township. 
John  Cooper,  the  father  of  the  subject  of  our  sketch,  was  boim  June  [ 
3,  1794,  and  was  taken  by  his  parents  to  Tennessee,  where  he  was 
married  to  Susannah  Peyton.  By  this  union  they  had  one  child 
when  Mrs.  Cooper  died.  Mr.  Cooper  was  again  married  to  IMiss 
Susannah  (dger.  They  had  two  children  born  to  them  in  Tennessee  j 
and  movc<l  toSangamon  county, as  stated  above  in  1820,  and  settled 
near  where  Iloche.stcr  now  stands,  and  one  year  later  moved  to 
what  is  now  Cooper  township.  'I'hcy  had  nine  children  born  to  them 
in  Sangamon  county,  of  whom  the  subject  of  our  sketch  was  the  fifth. 
John  Coo|)cr  for  several  years  was  a member  of  the  Sangamon  coun- 
ty Board,  and  filled  the  office  of  .lustiec  of  the  Peace  for  a number 
of  years,  lie  was  a member  of  the  Methodist  church,  and  local 
minister;  he  devoted  a great  part  of  his  dccl  ining  years  in  ])rcaching 
the  Gos|K'1.  He  solemnized  the  marriages  of  many  couples  among 
the  early  .settlers,  and  when  the  township  organization  was  effected, 
his  naiiK!  was  given  to  tin;  town>hip  in  which  he  livisl,  as  a mark  of 
resjx'ct  to  his  memory.  lie  lived  the  life  of  a good  and  worthy  cit- 
izen, and  <lie<l  January,  180f),  in  the  full  hope  of  a better  land. 

Mr.  P.  Cooper  has  descended  from  a long  line  of  farmers,  and  was 
educated  to  that  avocation,  lie  received  a common  school  educa- 
tion such  ns  the  schools  of  his  day  all()rdcd.  He  married  Miss  I'Jiz- 
nbeth  Firey  November  lb,  1848.  She  was  a native  of  Washington 


! county,  Maryland,  and  was  a daughter  of  Jacob  Firey,  who  was  a 
resident  farmer  of  Christian  county.  They  have  been  blessed  with 
a family  of  four  children,  John  H.,  Jacob  P.,  Mary  E.  now  the  wife 
of  A.  Smith,  a resident  of  Mt.  Auburn  township  and  Laura  B. 
His  sons  and  his  younger  daughter  are  still  beneath  the  parental 
roof.  After  Mr.  Cooper’s  marriage  he  left  his  native  county  and 
settled  in  Mt.  Auburn  township,  Christian  county,  where  he  now 
resides.  Mr.  Cooper  has  a fine  farm  of  three  hundred  and  fifty- 
three  acres,  and  one  of  the  finest  farm  residences  in  the  county,  a 
view  of  which  can  be  seen  in  another  part  of  this  work.  In  politics 
he  is  a democrat ; religiously  he  and  his  wife  are  members  of  the 
Lutheran  church.  He  is  quiet  and  unassuming  in  his  manners,  char- 
itable where  there  exists  any  just  cause,  and  dispenses  a liberal  hos- 
pitality with  the  ease  and  grace  of  the  olden  time. 


WILLIAM  Y.  CR03THWAIT 

Was  born  in  Trigg  county,  Ky.,  March  22d,  1826.  His  father, 
Samuel  T.  Crostlnvait,  was  a native  of  Maury  county,  Tennessee, 
and  of  Irish  descent.  He  here  grew  to  manhood  upon  a farm.  He 
attended  the  schools  of  Columbia,  whereby  he  received  a good  edu- 
cation ; at  the  age  of  seventeen  he  began  teaching  school,  a profes- 
sion he  principally  followed  during  his  entire  life.  At  the  age  of 
twenty-one  or  twenty-two,  he  went  into  Kentucky,  where  he  mar- 
ried Miss  Mary  Young,  July  7th,  1824  ; they  raised  a family  of  six 
children.  In  1832  he  emigrated  to  Illinois  with  his  family,  and 
settled  within  about  one  mile  of  the  South  Fork  of  Sangamon  river, 
and  about  the  same  distance  from  where  the  town  of  Taylorville 
now  stands.  He  here  opened  up  an  improvement,  and  during  the 
winter  months  taught  school  until  February  24th,  1835,  when  he 
was  frozen  to  death  under  the  following  circumstances.  During  the 
inclement  season,  he  took  an  ox  team  out  to  gather  such  necessaries 
as  were  awarded  him  for  teaching,  it  being  customary  in  those  days 
for  the  citizens  to  pay  the  school-master  in  such  articles  as  meal, 
pork,  fiour,  or  any  other  commodity  which  could  be  utilized  in  the 
teacher’s  family  ; night  came  on  before  he  could  reach  home ; be- 
coming bewildered  in  the  darkness,  he  lost  his  way,  and  in  the  morn- 
ing, was  found  frozen  to  death  upon  the  prairie. 

The  subject  of  our  sketch  was  then  but  nine  years  old,  and  being 
the  eldest  son,  he  remained  with  his  mother  until  he  became  of  age; 
much  of  the  cares  and  responsibilities  of  raising  crops  and  provid- 
ing for  the  family  devolved  upon  him.  At  the  age  of  twenty-two 
he  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Harah  IMurphy,  January  5th, 
1848,  who  died  about  one  year  afterwards,  January  28,  1849.  Mr. 
Crosthwait  again  married,  his  second  choice  being  Ellen  M.  Benson, 
to  whom  he  was  united  October  1st,  1850.  By  this  marriage  he 
has  a family  of  five  children,  four  boys  and  one  girl.  Mr.  C.  was 
educated  to  farm  life,  and  has  made  that  his  princij)al  avocation  ; 
for  four  years  he  was  in  the  mercantile  business,  and  carried  on  a 
general  store  in  Grove  City,  this  county.  In  1862  he  enlisted  in  the 
late  war  into  Company  1).  130th  Illinois  Volunteers,  under  Captain 
Daniel  Do  Cami>,  Col.  Niles  having  command  of  the  regiment  until 
the  clo.se  of  the  war.  In  politics,  Mr.  Crosthwait  is  a republican, 
and  in  1878  was  nominated  by  his  party  to  represent  the  thirty- 
fourth  di.strict  in  the  legislature,  and  was  elected.  He  made  a good 
and  faithful  member  in  the  house.  He  worked  hard  and  talked  but 
little,  which,  perhaps,  is  the  best  eulogy  which  can  be  pronounced 
upon  a judicious  and  commendable  law-maker.  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Crosthwait  are  members  of  the  M.  E.  Church,  and  have  educated 
their  family  in  that  faith.  His  children  arc  Henry  C.,  Mary  L., 
Ijyman  I>.,  George  A.  and  W illiam  E. 


COOPER,  Sec. 26.  T.I5,R.3,  ^Mt.Aubupn  Tp^J  Christian  Co 


HISTORY  OF  CHRISTIAN  COUNTY,  ILLINOIS. 


241 


The  gentleman  whose  portrait  is  at  the  liead  of  this  page,  in 
stature  stands  six  feet,  and  in  avoirdupois  turns  the  beam  at  three 
hundred  and  twenty-five  pounds.  In  disposition  he  is  mirthful, 
genial  and  sociable,  and  possesses  those  qualities  that  render  his 
company  pleasant  and  agreeable.  He  Avas  born  in  Sangamon 
county,  Illinois,  within  a short  distance  of  the  Christian  county 
line,  January  26, 1835.  He  was  the  son  of  John  and  Anna  North. 
John  North  was  a native  of  Virginia,  born  November  22,  1806, 
near  the  village  of  Bent  Creek,  on  James  river,  in  Buckingham 
county.  His  grandfather,  Richard  North,  was  born  in  England, 
and  followed  the  business  of  a cutler.  He  came  to  America  and 
worked  at  his  trade  at  Bent  Ci’eek.  His  wife’s  maiden  name  Avas 
Thornton,  but  Avhether  they  were  married  in  England  or  America 
is  unknown  to  their  descendants.  Their  third  son  Peter,  born  in 
Virginia,  was  married  there  to  Elizabeth  Franklin,  daughter  of 
Robert  Franklin,  of  Campbell  county,  Virginia.  Peter  North  Avas 
a soldier  from  Virginia  in  the  Avar  Avith  England  in  1812.  In 
1819  or  ’20,  he  emigrated  to  Jefferson  county,  near  Dandridge, 
Tennessee,  taking  with  him  six  children.  The  second  son,  John, 
Avho  Avas  the  father  of  the  subject  of  this  sketch,  Avas  then  married, 
September  22,  1828,  to  Miss  Anna  Giger,  avIio  Avas  a nati\'e  of  that 
county.  Immediately  after  Mr.  North’s  marriage,  he  emigrated 
with  his  young  Avife  to  Sangamon  county,  Illinois,  arriving  April 
12, 1829.  They  settled  in  Avhat  is  noAv  Cooper  tOAvnship,  in  the  part 
lying  north  of  the  North  Fork  of  the  Sangamon  riA'er,  Avhere  they 
raised  a family  of  four  boys,  viz:  Benjamin  Houston,  Harvey  N., 
John  W.  and  Andrew  J.  noAv  deceased.  Mr.  North  lost  his  wife, 
Annie  North,  Feb.  24,  1844.  He  was  again  married  to  Susannah 
31 


Eckel,  by  whom  he  had  six  children,  all  deceased.  Mrs.  North 
died  in  1855,  and  Mr.  North  married  Mrs.  Amelia  Woodruff',  in 
1856.  There  have  been  three  children  born  by  this  union,  all  of 
Avhom  are  noAV  living.  Mr.  North  resides  on  the  farm  he  first  im- 
proved in  1829,  three  miles  north  of  Mechanicsburg. 

Harvey  N.  North  was  there  brought  up  and  educated  to  farm 
life ; a business  he  has  since  followed.  It  was  there  he  first  met 
Miss  Sarah  E.  Prather,  Avho  afterwards  became  his  Avife.  They 
Avere  married  November  13,  1856.  She  Avas  a daughter  of  Perry 
and  Sarah  E.  Prather,  and  born  in  Maryland.  Her  ancestry  were 
early  settlers  of  that  state,  and  of  German  descent.  Mrs.  North’s 
father  emigrated  to  Sangamon  county  about  thirty  years  ago,  and 
settled  in  Cooper  toAvn.ship,  Avhere  he  died.  His  Avife  still  surviv^es 
him.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  North  have  raised  a family  of  four  boys, 
viz : Tony,  Emery,  Clyde  and  Petei\  They  are  all  living  at  home. 
After  Mr.  North’s  marriage,  he  settled  in  Christian  county,  Avhere 
he  has  since  resided. 

In  politics,  he  is  a democrat.  He  is  not  a member  of  any  reli- 
gious denomination,  but  has  always  endeavored  to  live  an  upright 
and  honorable  life.  He  is  a member  of  the  Masonic  order.  He 
has  shared  the  hardships  and  privations  incident  to  the  settlement 
of  a neAV  country.  His  hair  and  whiskers  are  tinged  Avith  gray, 
but  he  bears  remarkably  well  the  l)urden  of  forty-five  years.  Noav, 
in  the  prime  of  life,  he  may  enjoy  the  teeming  bounties  of  a pros- 
jAerous  county,  young  in  years  but  old  in  improvements  in  agricul- 
ture and  in  commercial  importance.  He  is  much  esteemed  in  the 
community  Avhere  he  lives,  and  is  destined  to  enjoy  many  years  of 
honorable  usefulness  and  reasonable  prosperity. 


242 


HISTORY  OF  CHRISTIAN  COUNTY,  ILLINOIS. 


DIAL  DAVIS 

Has  lived  within  fifteen  miles  of  Mt.  Auburn,  where  he  now  lives, 
for  fifty-four  years,  making  him  one  of  the  oldest  citizens  of  Mt. 
Auburn  township.  He  was  born  near  Mechanicsburg,  Sangamon 
county,  January  10th,  1826.  His  father,  John  Davis,  was  a native 
of  Tennessee,  and  lived  near  Nashville,  in  that  state.  He  there 
married  Miss  Sarah  D.  Milligan ; they  had  two  children  born  to 
them  in  Tennessee,  one  now  living.  Henry  Davis,  who  by  industry 
and  economy,  has  acquired  quite  a fortune,  is  well  known  to 
the  citizens  of  Christian  county.  John  Davis  emigrated  to  Illinois 
in  the  year  1818  ; he  first  came  to  Springfield,  where  he  stopped 
about  a year,  and  then  settled  east  of  Springfield,  near  Clear  Lake, 
where  he  remained  about  two  years,  and  subsequently  moved  south 
of  Mechanicsburg,  where  he  lived  five  years.  They  were  living  at 
this  place  during  the  deep  snow.  In  1832  they  moved  south  of  the 
Sangamon  river,  and  settled  three  and-a-half  miles  west  of  the  mound 
Avhere  Mt.  Auburn  now  stands.  As  the  lands  were  not  in  the  mar 
ket,  he  could  not  enter  land  ; for  a small  consideration  he  purchased 
the  improvements  of  a “squatter,”  which  consisted  of  a log  house 
and  a garden-patch  ; this  was  the  first  place  he  could  call 
his  own  in  Illinois  ; his  intention  was  to  enter  the  land  as  soon  as 
the  country  began  to  settle  up,  but  like  many  other  early  settlers  in 
Illinois,  he  was  “ Entered  out  ” by  a heartless  speculator,  and  was 
compelled  to  locate  in  another  track  near  by.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Davis 
had  four  children  born  to  them  in  Sangamon  county,  viz. : John 
deceased,  William,  Dial  and  Sarah,  now  the  wife  of  M.  V.  Swick’ 
and  a resident  of  Mt.  Auburn  ; William  is  now  a farmer  in  Mt. 
Auburn  township.  John  Davis  lived  in  Mt.  Auburn  township  in  the 
vicinity  where  he  first  settled  and  resided  until  his  death  in  1841 ; his 
wife  preceded  him  about  three  years.  The  subject  of  our  sketch  grew 
to  manhood  in  this  then  thinly-settled  country  on  a farm,  and  re- 
ceived such  an  education  as  the  early  times  aftbrded.  At  the  age 
of  twenty  he  enlisted  in  the  war  with  Mexico  ; he  was  in  Corn2)any 
C.,  under  Captain  I.  C.  Pugh,  Col.  E.  D.  Baker,  having  command 
of  the  regiment  4th  Ills.  vols.  Dick  Oglesby  was  the  first  Lieu- 
tenant of  Company  C.,  and  commanded  the  company  at  the  battle 
of  Cerro  Gordo.  Mr.  Davis  was  within  twenty  yards  of  General 
James  Shields,  when  he  was  shot  through  and  through,  in  the  charge 
at  this  battle.  IMr.  Davis  lieard  Oglesby  remark,  after  this  battle, 
that  he  would  rather  lead  that  company  in  such  a battle  than  be 
governor  of  Illinois.  Mr.  Davis  was  in  tliis  war  just  one  year;  he 
was  discharged  and  mustered  out  of  service  in  New  Orleans,  and 
then  returned  to  his  old  associates  in  Christian  county.  The  land 
warrant  he  received  for  his  services  in  the  Mexican  war  lie  traded 
for  eighty  acres  of  land,  lying  in  the  west  part  of  l\It.  Auburn 
township,  and  immediately  began  the  improvement  of  this  eightyo 
and  from  1848  to  1802,  he  lived  alone  and  “batched”  it.  And 
then,  like  all  sensible  young  men,  he  concluded  tliat  single  blessed" 
ne.ss  was  no  longer  desirable,  and  consequently,  J eb.  4, 1 852,  took  unto 
hirn.self  a bctter-Iialf,  in  the  person  of  Miss  Edmonia  JO.  I lesser,  a 
daughter  of  Samuel  Hesser,  one  of  the  pioneer  settlers  of  Sangamon 
county,  'fhey  raised  a family  of  six  children,  viz. : Franklin  P., 
Sallie  M.,  Charles  E.,  Henry  N.,  Dial  W.,  and  Carrie  E.,  now  the 
wife  of  William  I..  Ba.«ar.  Franklin,  Henry  and  Dial,  are  now  de- 
ccjuscd.  The  other  two  children  live  in  Mt.  Auburn.  Mrs.  Davis 
died  July  4th,  1864.  Mr.  Davis  was  again  married  to  Huldah  J. 
Stobaugh,  May  5th,  1867.  They  have  one  child,  Nellie  M.  Mr. 
Davis’  life  occupation  luus  been  that  of  a farmer  and  stock  raiser^ 
and  for  several  years  lie  shipjied  stock  extensively.  In  1874  he 
started  his  son  Franklin  in  the  drug  and  grocery  business  in  Mt. 
Auburn;  he  sold  out  in  1877  and  went  to  the  Black  Hills,  where  he 
took  the  mountain  fever  and  died,  August  21st,  1877.  Mr.  Davis 


bought  the  store  and  stock  of  goods  the  second  time  under  a bank- 
rupt sale,  and  his  son  Henry  ran  the  business  until  his  death,  March 
7th,  1880,  and  Mr.  Davis  and  his  son  Charles  are  now  carrying  on 
the  business.  In  Mr.  Davis’  younger  days  he  rode  constable  for 
several  years,  and  was  the  first  collector  in  the  township ; was  a 
member  of  the  County  Board  when  the  county  W’as  divided  into 
townships.  In  politics,  he  is  a stanch  democrat.  And  thus  we 
close  the  record  of  one  of  the  industrious  and  successful  citizens  of 
Christian  county,  who  is  now  the  largest  land-holder  in  Mt.  Auburn 
township.  His  financial  prosperity  is  more  the  result  of  integrity 
and  industry  than  a worldly  love  of  gain.  What  he  has  is  the  re- 
sult of  hard  labor.  As  a self-made  man,  his  name  is  presented  to 
the  youth  of  Christian  county,  as  an  example  of  what  industry  will 
do  for  an  energetic  boy  if  he  starts  out  in  the  pathway  of  life  with 
a determination  to  succeed. 


MONTGOMERY  P.  GOODRICH— (Deceased) 

Who  died  at  Mt.  Auburn,  October  5th,  1876,  was  born  in  Pittsfield, 
Massachusetts,  April,  1810.  He  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss 
Mary  Milligan,  January  14th,  1845.  They  had  born  to  them  a 
family  of  five  children,  viz.:  Oren  W.,  now  deceased;  Marietta, 
now  the  wife  of  John  V.  Koogle ; Martha  A.,  James  A.,  and  Hattie 
Maria ; the  three  latter  are  living  at  home  with  their  mother.  Mrs. 
Goodrich  lives  on  the  old  Goodrich  homestead,  and  carries  on  the 
farm.  She  is  a native  of  Christian  county.  Her  parents,  Fergus 
and  Sarah  Milligan,  emigrated  from  Tennessee,  and  settled  in 
what  is  now  Christian  county  in  an  early  day,  long  before  the 
county  was  organized.  The  following  Ave  clip  from  M.  P.  Goodrich’s 
obituary:  “ M.  P.  Goodrich  came  to  Springfield,  Illinois,  in  1838, 
and  to  Mt.  Auburn  in  1840,  where  he  has  ever  since  resided.  He 
lived  at  Mt.  Auburn  more  than  a third  of  a century.  He  came  to 
that  place  the  next  year  after  the  organization  of  the  county,  and 
was  identified  with  every  public  measure  by  which  the  county  was 
changed  from  a wilderness  to  a densely  populated  county.  He  was 
a pioneer  in  the  full  sense  of  the  term.  Time  and  again  he  went 
from  Mt.  Auburn  to  Taylorville,  when  there  was  but  one  solitary 
house  between  those  two  towns,  and  that  was  at  or  near  the  place 
where  Grove  city  now  stands.  He  was  a rei)resentative  man  of 
his  time.  He  was  elected  County  Surveyor  in  1847,  and  afterward 
a member  of  the  County  court.  To  his  energy,  diligence,  judg- 
ment and  firmness  the  people  are  chiefiy  indebted  for  their  escape 
from  a bonded  debt  for  the  court-house,  which  Avas  built  under  his 
administration.  He  held  the  commission  of  Justice  of  the  peace 
for  a long  period  of  time,  and  also  that  of  Post-master,  at  Mt.  Au- 
burn. No  man  ever  found  fault  Avith  the  discharge  of  his  public 
duties.  His  integrity  Avas  never  suspected.  No  man  ever  had  the 
confidence  of  the  people  of  the  county  more  than  M.  P.  Goodrich. 
In  the  more  active  years  of  his  life  his  friends  frequently  desired  to 
bring  him  forward  as  a candidate  for  imiiortant  county  offices,  to 
Avhich  he  could  have  been  elected.  But  as  his  brother,  William  A. 
Goodrich,  Avas  continued  from  one  imjiortant  county  office  to  ano- 
ther, for  more  than  thirty-three  years  the  generous  nature  of 
Montgomery  P.  over  declined  the  solicitation  of  his  friends  lest  it 
sliould  appear  that  the  family  were  grasping.  He  was  active  and 
cncr<mtic.  He  disregarded  any  jicrsonal  consideration,  and  drove 
tlirough  heat,  cold  and  storm  Avhen  occasion  required.  It  is  but  too 
true  this  disregard  of  cold  and  storm,  and  of  hunger  and  sleep,  wore 
upon  his  constitution,  and  but  for  this  he  might  have  lived  many 
years.  He  did  not  always  control  his  temper,  but  sometimes  Avould 
krike  a bloAV  before  his  judgment  could  be  brought  to  bear  upon 
the  subject.  This  Avas  his  greatest  fault,  and  the  only  thing  that 


RESIDENCE  OF  DIAL  DAVIS  MT.  AUBURN 


TENANT  HOUSE 


OLD  HOMESTEAD.  Sec.II,  T 15,  R.2. 

Views  o r th  e Property  or  DIAL  DAVIS,  Mt.  Aubupn  Tr,  Christian  CoJll 


TENANT  house 


tenant  house 


Mt.  Au  burn  TrJ  Christian  Co.,  III. 


The  l.lbr»rj 
of  tho 
UnWerelty  of 


HISTORY  OF  CHRISTIAN  COUNTY,  ILLINOIS. 


243 


«ver  brought  him  an  enemy.  He  was  for  a long  time  a leading 
merchant  at  Mt.  Auburn,  and  at  the  same  time  carried  on  exten- 
sive farming.  He  was  a kind,  hosjiitable  man,  a warm-hearted 
and  generous  friend,  a kind  husband,  and  indulgent  father,  and  by 
his  death  Christian  county  lost  a worthy  citizen. 


I.  Q.  VIRDEN 

Was  born  in  Ross  county,  Ohio,  October  25,  1824.  He  is  of  Ger- 
man ancestry  on  the  paternal  side  and  English  on  the  maternal. 
His  father,  Isaac  Virden,  was  a native  of  Virginia,  and  emigrated 
to  Ohio  in  an  early  day,  where  he  was  married  to  Miss  Amelia 
Sadler.  They  had  eleven  children  born  to  them  in  Ohio,  ten  boys 
and  one  daughter,  of  whom  the  subject  of  our  sketch  was  the  eighth  ; 
his  father  wivs  a farmer,  and  in  1832,  being  desirous  to  go  to  a 
country  where  land  was  cheaper,  as  he  had  a large  family  of  boys, 
emigrated  to  Illinois  and  settled  on  Buckhart  Creek,  four  miles  west 
of  the  now  village  of  Grove  city ; he  here  improved  a farm,  and 
died  on  this  place  March,  1846.  At  the  time  Mr.  Virden  settled 
on  the  Buckhart,  that  part  of  the  country  was  a howling  wilderness. 
They  were  compelled  to  pen  the  sheejj  and  pigs  near  the  house  to 
save  them  from  the  wolves ; they  had  to  go  sixteen  miles  to  mill, 
and  do  their  own  grinding  by  putting  a yoke  of  oxen  on  the  wheel, 
and  often  in  the  time  of  bad  roads  they  obtained  their  meal  by  the 
hominy  block.”  Mr.  Virden  remained  at  home  until  he  was 
twenty-one ; he  then  married  Miss  Rachel  Nester,  from  Bath  county, 
Kentucky,  and  began  life  for  himself;  for  four  years  he  rented 
and  then  bought  the  place  he  is  now  living  on  near  Mt.  Auburn  ; he 
settled  on  this  place  in  1851,  and  took  it  from  nature’s  domain.  His 
was  a beautiful  location,  overlooking  thousands  of  acres  of  fine 
farming  lands  now  dotted  with  houses,  and  which  within  Mr.  Virden’s 
recollection  was  one  vast  plain  covei'ed  with  the  tall  prairie  grass. 
His  first  purchase  was  one  hundred  acres,  and  by  adding  piece  after 
piece,  his  farm  consists  of  six  hundred  acres  ; he  shipjjed  at  one 
time  a great  deal  of  stock,  but  reverses  came  upon  him,  bad  crops, 
the  loss  of  stock  and  worse  than  all  the  payment  of  security  debts. 
All  coming  in  upon  him  at  the  same  time  was  more  than  he  could 
withstand,  and  the  consequences  were  that  he  lost  his  farm  and  the 
most  of  his  personal  property ; but  he  is  yet  in  the  prime  of  life,  full 
of  energy  and  vigor,  and  he  hopes  at  no  distant  day  to  recover  a 
part  at  least  of  his  original  farm.  Mr.  Virden  met  with  these  re- 
verses, and  it  was  not  within  his  power  to  resist  them.  He  has 
always  endeavored  to  deal  with  his  fellow-men  honestly  in  all  his 
business  transactions.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Virden  have  a fiimily  of  six 


children  ; five  daughters  and  one  son  ; his  daughters  are  all  married 
and  live  within  a few  hours  drive  of  the  old  homestead  ; his  sou, 
William  E.,  is  still  living  at  home.  In  politics  Mr.  Virden  is  a re- 
publican. He  and  his  wife  are  members  of  the  M.  E.  Church,  and 
he  has  endeavored  to  bring  up  his  children  in  the  tenets  of  that 
church.  For  a number  of  years  he  has  been  a member  of  the 
Masonic  order;  he  is  also  an  Odd  Fellow. 


LSAAC  H.  FIREY 

Was  born  in  Washington  county,  Maryland,  February  2,  1820. 
He  was  the  son  of  Jacob  and  Mary  Firey.  Jacob  Firey  was  also  a 
native  of  Washington  county,  Maryland,  as  was  his  wife,  IMary 
Houser.  His  ancestry  on  both  sides  are  of  German  origin.  Jacob 
Firey  raised  a family  of  four  children.  He  emigrated  with  his 
family  to  Sangamon  county,  Illinois,  in  1836.  Arriving  in  the  fall 
he  settled  in  what  is  now  Cooper  township,  where  he  remained 
about  five  years.  He  then  moved  into  Christian  county,  and  settled 
in  Mt.  Auburn  township,  where  he  purchased  land  and  improved  a 
farm.  The  subject  of  our  sketch  now  lives  on  the  old  homestead. 
Jacob  Firey  lived  on  this  place  until  his  death.  May  18, 1853,  aged 
sixty-two  years.  He  lived  a member  of  the  Lutheran  church,  and 
possessed  rare  qualities,  and  by  his  upright  and  manly  life,  won  an 
honorable  name  and  endeared  himself  to  a large  circle  of  friends. 
His  wife  preceded  him  about  sixteen  years.  Her  death  dates  June 
9,  1837.  Isaac  H.  Firey  assisted  on  his  father’s  farm  until  he  was 
twenty-seven  years  of  age.  He  then  married  Miss  Eliza  Sattley,  a 
resident  of  Rochester,  Sangamon  county,  Illinois,  and  daughter  of 
Archibald  and  Harriet  Sattley.  Archibald  Sattley  was  a soldier 
in  the  war  of  1812.  He  afterwards  married  his  officer’s  daughter, 
Harriet  Hawley,  and  subsequently  emigrated  to  Illinois,  and  settled 
in  Sangamon  county,  in  1819. 

Mr.  Firey  has  always  followed  farming.  He  has  raised  a family 
of  seven  children,  all  now  grown : Jacob  J.,  now  practicing  medi- 
cine in  Taylorville,  Hattie  E.,  now  the  wife  of  Ross  M.  Houck, 
Albert  IM.,  married  and  lives  at  home,  William  H.,  Susan  E.,  Isaac 
E.  and  Mary  E.,  all  yet  beneath  the  parental  roof.  Mr.  Firey  had 
the  misfortune  to  lose  his  wife,  Feb.  2,  1880.  She  was  a member 
of  the  Lutheran  church,  and  took  quite  an  active  intere.st  in  the 
church,  and  did  all  in  her  power  to  further  the  interests  of  the 
Sabbath-school.  Mr.  Firey  is  also  a member  of  the  same  church. 
In  politics  he  is  a democrat.  He  is  a prominent  farmer  of  Mt.  Au- 
burn township,  and  by  industry  has  acquired  a competency  to  make 
easy  his  declining  years. 


LOCUST  TOWNSHIP. 


HIS  township  derives  its  name  from  a stream  so  called, 
which  traverses  a portion  of  its  territory.  It  comprises 
the  congressional  township  twelve,  range  one  west, 
being  six  miles  square,  containing  an  area  of  23,040 
acres.  It  is  intermediate  between  Pana  and  the  county 
seat ; bounded  on  the  north  by  May ; east  by  Assumption  and 


Pana ; south  by  Rosemond ; west  by  Johnson  township.  There 
is  considerable  timber  along  the  west  and  south-west  side  of  the 
township  along  Locust  creek  and  its  tributaries,  which  drain  the 
township. 

Settlements. — There  were  a few  families  living  here  when  the 
county  was  organized,  but  the  greater  number  of  its  inhabitants 


244 


HISTORY^  OF  CHRISTIAN  COUNTY,  ILLINOIS. 


came  after  the  year  1850.  Soon  after  this  date  a number  of  emi- 
grants from  Ohio,  and  other  sections  of  the  country,  settled  here. 
The  wild  prairie  was  soon  dotted  over  with  a thrifty  business  popu- 
lation Among  the  pioneer  settlers  were  : Wesley  Westbrook,  who 
came  in  1835  ; Josiah  Anderson,  came  in  1839 ; G-  Wash.  Cheek 
and  a Mr.  Harlick,  came  in  1838 ; Thos.  D.  Chastain,  Matthew 
Durbin,  James  Bradley,  and  Thomas  Bradley,  came  in  1846 ; 
Joseph  P.  Durbin,  in  1850, — all  of  whom  are  now  deceased. 
Among  other  early  settlers  were  : James  Durbin,  Elisha  Durbin, 
Elisha  Logsdon,  Martin  Overholt,  W.  H.  Madison,  James  M. 
Painter,  B.  C.  Cochran,  John  McCune,  Edward  Lawton,  John 
White,  William  Hunter,  Achilles  Morris,  and  William  Lawton. 

On  the  10th  of  September,  1858,  the  county  court,  on  the  peti- 
tion of  P.  D.  Vermillion  and  sixty  other  legal  voters,  formed 
“Locust  Precinct,”  selecting  Joseph  P.  Durbin,  James  Bradley, 
and  Seth  W.  Benepe,  its  first  judges  of  elections,  and  appointing 
the  place  of  voting  at  Beuepe’s  school-house,  located  on  the  six- 
teenth section.  Its  first  Justices  of  the  Peace  were : Thos.  W.  Coch- 
ran and  Seth  W.  Benepe.  G.  Wash.  Cheek  and  John  W.  Hunter 
were  elected  the  first  constables  November  2d,  1858. 

During  the  first  settlement  to  realize  on  their  corn  crops  the 
farmers  had  to  feed  it  to  their  stock,  which  they  disposed  of  annu- 
ally about  Christmas.  They  would  frequently  drive  their  hogs  to 
the  St.  Louis  markets,  a distance  of  about  one  hundred  miles.  But 
with  the  advent  of  railroads  in  this  county  the  order  of  things  was 
changed.  The  first  lot  of  hogs  shipped  by  rail  was  by  Dr. 
U.  C.  McCoy,  Joshua  Pepper,  and  John  White,  in  the  winter  of 
1855-56.  They  shipped  six  car-loads  at  Pana,  on  the  Terre 
Haute,  Alton  and  St.  Louis  Railroad,  the  first  that  passed  over  that 
road  after  its  completion.  The  first  threshing-machine  was  brought 
to  Christian  county  by  William  Hunter  in  1855  ; it  was  a “ Marsi- 
lon  Separator,”  and  attracted  much  attention  in  the  farming  com- 
munity. Its  owner  had  calls  for  its  use  from  all  parts  of  the  county. 

The  old  grocery  store  and  .saloon  was  a notable  in.stitution  on  the 
public  road  from  the  county  seat  to  Pana;  It  was  located  at  an 
early  date,  on  the  north-west  corner  of  section  twenty-seven,  town 
twelve,  range  one,  and  was  a place  of  great  resort  for  the  lovers  of 
foot-races  and  shooting-matches.  As  the  township  increased  in 
population  there  was  a greater  demand  for  postal  accommodation. 
The  passing  of  the  tri-weekly  stage  suggested  the  idea  of  a post- 
office.  It  was  established  in  1857,  and  was  the  first  one  in  the 
townshij).  Judge  Vandeveer  suggested  the  name,  “Owaneco,” 
which  was  adopted.  J.  M.  Weaver  was  aj){)ointed  the  first  post- 
master, and  the  office  was  kept  in  a little  frame  building,  near  the 
late  residence  of  Es<)U ire  Joseph  P.  Durbin,  on  the  borders  of  Locust 
Creek  timber.  In  the  office  was  kept  a few  dry  goods,  groceries, 
and  an  abundant  supply  of  “tangle-foot.”  'fhe  house  was  sold  at 
one  time  by  the  United  States  Dejmty  Marshal  for  a failure  to  pay 
Internal  Itevemie  whisky  tax.  The  post-office  changed  hands, 
and  at  one  time  the  following  amusing  incident  occurred  : 

One  day,  as  the  mail-coach  approached,  the  stageman  sounded 
his  bugle,  and  drove  nj)  to  the  post-office  door.  The  driver  sprang 
from  the  box,  and  was  dragging  the  mail  in  the  direction  of  the 
office,,  when  a stalwart  backwoodsman  came  to  the  door,  and  in 
commanding  tones  cried  out: 

“Stop  right  thar  ; thar’s  no  u.se  in  dragging  that  ’ar  in  here!” 

“ Why  not?”  asked  the  driver. 

“Tuck  it  along;  luck  it  back,  I say;  needn’t  fotch  it  in  here!” 
“ ,\nd  wfiy  not?”  again  queried  the  <lriver,  who  l»y  this  time  had 
cotnc  to  a halt. 

“ I'ecause,  as  how,”  said  the  deputy  post-master,  “ the  jtost-imistcr 
is  af)sent  on  a hunt,  and  I can’t  read  a word  ! ” 


A passenger  volunteered  to  open  and  assort  the  mail  belonging 
to  that  office,  provided  the  key  was  furnished.  It  was  soon  pro- 
duced, and  to  the  j^rotiered  services  of  that  passenger  the  inhabitants 
of  the  Owaneco  region  were  indebted  for  the  news  of  that  day. 

In  1866,  on  the  adoption  of  township  organization,  this  township 
remained  unchanged  as  to  its  boundaries.  At  the  election  held 
April  3d,  1866,  B.  C.  Cochran  was  elected  its  first  supervisor; 
John  W.  Hunter  and  Philip  Baker  were  elected  justices  of  the 
peace;  and  Daniel  Orr  and  David  Jarvis,  constables,  on  the  7th  of 
November,  1865.  These  officers  held  over  till  the  expiration  of  the 
time  for  which  they  were  elected.  The  O.  and  M.,  formerly  called 
the  Springfield  and  S.  E.  R.  R.,  runs  diagonally  through  the  town- 
ship, entering  it  on  sec.  6 and  leaving  it  on  sec.  36.  There  are  two 
stations  in  this  township  on  the  line  of  the  road,  Owaneco  and  Millers- 
ville.  That  2)art  of  the  township  lying  south  of  Locust  Creek  forms 
a part  of  the  territory  of  what  is  termed  “ Buckeye  Prairie.”  It 
derived  its  name  from  a number  of  emigrants  from  Ohio,  the  Buck- 
eye state,  settling  in  this  j>rairie.  Its  first  settler  on  the  Cottonwood 
Forks  was  Martin  Overholt,  in  the  fall  of  1851.  He  built  the  first 
hou.se,  and  moved  into  it  in  an  unfinished  state,  for  a time  affording 
only  a pretext  for  shelter  from  the  wintry  blasts ; it  was  situated 
on  the  west  half  of  south-west  quarter  section  twenty-nine.  The 
house  is  still  standing,  and  now  owned  by  B.  C.  Cochran  ; it  was 
near  the  “ Buckeye  school-house.” 

Lumber  for  building  purposes  could  not  be  obtained  short  of 
Lucas’  saw-mill,  several  miles  distant,  and  the  hauling  of  rails  and 
wood  from  the  timber,  some  three  or  four  miles  distant,  was  a 
serious  inconvenience. 

In  the  years  1852-53  thei’e  was  quite  an  intlux  of  emigration  to 
this  country  from  Ohio ; among  them  were  John  McCune,  B.  C. 
Cochran,  and  William  Hunter ; the  two  former  settled  and  built 
houses  a short  distance  from  Martin  Overholt’s.  This  little  band 
were  deprived  of  many  of  the  advantages  which  older  settlements 
enjoy.  No  church,  no  Sabbath  nor  day-school ; all  around  it  was 
silent  and  dreary.  If  a census  of  the  prairie  had  been  taken  at 
that  time  it  would  probably  have  shown : — adults,  six  ; children, 
sixteen  ; total,  twenty-two  souls  all  told,  (^uite  a little  colony. 
Schools  claimed  its  attention  at  an  early  date.  Cochran  met 
Joshua  Peppins  and  arranged  Buckeye  school  district. 

The  first  three  named  persons  were  elected  directors.  The  “ Buck- 
eye School-house”  was  built  in  1856,  on  the  head  waters  of  Cot- 
tonwood creek,  on  the  N.  E.  corner  of  sec.  31,  town  12 — 1 W.  H. 
L.  Mull  was  its  first  teacher,  in  the  winter  of  1856-7.  A writer 
states  : “ From  this  period  dates  the  Elizabethian  or  golden  era  of 
Buckeye  history.” 

Its  schools,  lyceums  and  debating  societies  loomed  up  in  propor- 
tion. 

The  Rev.  Shunk,  pastor  of  the  Taylorville  circuit,  was  the  first 
minister  to  make  his  advent  into  this  new  colony.  He  preached  at 
the  cabins  of  William  Hunter,  James  Widow  and  Samuel  Cowgill, 
He  was  followed  by  Rev.  John  Slate. 

4'he  M.  ]'k  Society  was  organized  during  the  winter  of  1856-7, 
and  a Sabbath  school  at  the  same  time.  The  school-house  being 
built,  the  society  worshiped  in  that  for  a time,  alternating  the  Sab- 
baths with  the  Christian  Society.  The  latter  had  been  holding 
their  meetings  at  the  residence  of  B.  C.  Cochran,  services  being 
conducted  by  Elders  A.  McCollum  and  P.  I).  Vermillion.  In  the 
summer  of  1866  the  Buckeye  M.  E.  Church  was  built  near  the 
township  line,  intermediate  between  Buckeye  and  Sherman  school- 
house,  on  the  south-east  corner  of  see.  31,  at  a cost  of  $6,000.  The 
“ Buckeye  Cemetery,”  located  in  1853,  is  near  the  church. 

The  first  burial  in  this  cemetery  was  a little  daughter  of  Mr. 


HISTORY  OF  CHRISTIAN  COUNTY,  ILLINOIS. 


245 


Murry’s.  The  first  birth  in  “Buckeye  Prairie,”  in  this  township, 
was  Florence,  daughter  of  B.  C.  Cochran,  in  1854. 

The  lands  in  this  township  were  originally  surveyed  by  Enoch 
Moore,  Deputy  U.  S.  Surveyor;  returned  and  certified  January 
25th,  1819,  by  William  Rector,  Surveyor-General. 

The  first  land  entries,  as  taken  from  the  county  records,  are  as 
follows:  April  1,  1836,  W.  S.  Russel,  N.  E.  quarter  sec.  18,  160 
acres;  N.  W.  quarter  sec.  18,  138  82-100  acres ; S.  W.  quarter  sec. 
18,  138  acres  ; S.  E.  quarter  sec.  18,  160  acres.  April  27,  1836, 
Hiram  B.  Rountree,  N.  W.  half  X.  W.  quarter  sec.  5,  39  7-100 
acres;  April  27,  1836,  Zadoc  C.  Rountree,  X.  W.  half  S.  W. 
quarter  sec.  6,  37  52-100  acres. 

The  population,  according  to  the  census  of  1870,  was  825,  now, 
about  2,000.  At  the  presidential  election  in  1876  it  cast  a vote  of 
258. 

We  append  the  officers  since  township  organization : 

Supervisors — B.  C.  Cochran,  elected  1866,  re-elected  1867  and  ’68; 
John  W.  Hunter,  1869 ; A.  De  Barr,  1870 ; Geo.  W.  Marts.  1871  ; 
Z.  F.  Bates,  1872;  A.  De  Barr,  1873;  S.  F.  Bates,  1874;  Z.  F. 
Bates,  1875,  re-elected  1876  ; R.  McShea,  1877  ; G.  W Marts,  1878; 
J.  S.  Cussins,  1879,  re-elected  1880. 

Assessors — Jonas  Suttle,  1877  ; A.  P.  Huninger,  1878;  Joseph 
Borgin,  1879,  re-elected  1880. 

Collectors — W.  S.  Benepe,  elected  1866  ; Thomas  W.  Cochran, 
1867,  re-elected  1868,  ’69,  ’70  and  ’71 ; P.  V.  Johnson,  1872,  re- 
elected 1873  ; C.  E.  Corcoran,  1874;  R.  Anderson,  1875,  re-elected 
1876  ; J.  C.  Hunter,  1877 ; Alex.  Montgomery,  1878  ; A.  De 
Barr,  1879 ; Charles  Becker,  1880. 

Town  Clerks — R.  M.  Houck,  1877  ; Jeremiah  Millhor,  1878 ; 
Martin  Leach,  1879 ; S.  j\I.  Orr,  1880. 

Commissioners  of  HUjlmmjs — A.  De  Barr,  1877  ; Wm.  Bordelais, 
one  year;  M.  Anderson,  two  years ; J.  W.  Hunter,  three  years. 

D.  D.  Resler,  1879;  B.  F.  Goode,  1880. 

Constables — Joshua  Cochran  and  Preston  Goode  elected  in  1873  ; 
George  Law,  1874,  re-elected  1877  ; James  M.  Painter,  1877  ; F. 
H.  Hargis,  1878. 

Justices  of  the  Peace — John  J.  Danford,  elected  1870;  Z.  F. 
Bates,  ’70;  John  J.  Danford  and  Z.  F.  Bates,  ’73;  John  J.  Dan- 
ford,  re-elected  ’77  ; Richard  Anderson,  ’77. 


OWANECO 

Is  located  on  the  8.  W.  S.  W.  I sec.  15,  and  a part  of  8.  E.  S. 

E.  i sec.  16.  It  was  laid  out  and  surveyed  by  Elisha  Gimlin,  on 
Oct  1st,  1869,  for  J.  C.  Helmick  and  John  Foggitt,  proprietors. 
It  derived  its  name  from  a post-office  located  not  far  distant,  on  Lo- 
cust creek.  The  town  is  prosperous,  and  is  situated  in  the  midst 
of  a rich  agricultural  district,  and  is  one  of  the  stations  on  the  O. 
& M.  railroad.  There  is  a large  amount  of  grain  and  stock  shipped 
from  this  point  yearly.  For  a time  the  village  was  checked  in 
its  growth  by  the  death  of  its  chief  proprietor,  J.  C.  Helmick,  a 
banker  of  Pana. 

The  present  business  is  as  follows  : 

Dr.  J.  8.  Cussins,  Physician  a7ul  Dragr/ist ; John  Ward,  Flour- 
ing Mill;  Alexander  Montgomery,  Saddle  and  Harness  Shop;  Dr. 
R.  Mc8hea,  Physician  and  Grocer;  J.  C.  Hunter,  Dry  Goods, 
Groceries  and  Post-master;  Price  & Wilkinson,  Grain  Dealers;  R. 
Turgeon,  Notions  and  Groceries;  John  C.  Handel,  Blacksmith  and 
Wagon-maker. 

Secret  Society — Locust  Lodge,  A.  F.  & A.  1\I.,  Xo.  623,  was  char- 
tered in  1869.  Xumber  of  charter-members,  12.  A.  B.  Leaper, 
first  W.  M.,  who  also  fills  the  office  at  the  present  time. 

MILLERSVILLE. 

This  town  was  laid  out  8ept.  20th,  1873,  by  M.  G.  Okey,  as  a 
midway  station  between  Pana  and  Owaneco.  It  is  located  on  sec. 
26,  in  the  south-eastern  part  of  Locust  township,  and  was  surveyed 
by  Elijah  Gimlin,  a resident  of  the  township,  for  its  proprietor,  who 
acknowledged  the  same  before  W.  M.  Provine,  X.  P.,  January  20, 
1874.  It  contains  four  l)locks,  and  its  principal  streets  are  “ Center,” 
on  the  north  side,  and  “Bismark,”  on  the  south  side  of  the  rail- 
road. 

Considerable  grain  and  stock  is  shipped  at  this  point.  The 
town  is  named  in  honor  of  Thomas  Miller,  who  owns  a large  farm 
adjacent  to  it. 

There  are  at  present  the  following  business  houses : Ballord  & 
Miller,  Elevator  (with  a capacity  of  50,000  bushels);  Price  & Wil- 
kinson, Grain  Dealers ; L.  Kirkpatrick  & Co.,  General  Merchants. 


BIOC4RAPHICAL  SKETCHES. 


A.  E.  LAWTOX, 

Has  been  living  in  Locust  township  since  1853.  His  father,  Ed- 
ward Lawton,  was  born  in  Xottinghamshire,  England,  in  the  year 
1811,  and  married  Mary  Ann  Hinds,  who  was  a native  of  the  same 
part  of  England,  and  was  born  in  1813.  This  marriage  took  place 
in  the  summer  of  1832,  and  immediately  afterward  they  sailed  for 
America.  After  living  six  years  in  Canada  they  settled  in  Tus- 
carawas county,  Ohio,  where  the  family  lived  till  the  spring  of 
1853,  and  then  came  to  this  state.  His  father  bought  two  hundred 
and  forty  acres  of  land  in  sections  four  and  eighteen  of  Locust 
township,  and  the  same  year  built  the  house  on  section  four,  in 
which  A.  E.  Lawton  now  lives.  At  that  time  the  only  settlements 
in  Locust  township  were  along  the  timber,  and  the  prairie  was 
entirely  wild  and  uncultivated.  The  Lawtons  were  the  first  to 
settle  on  the  prairie  in  the  township.  The  subject  of  this  sketch 
was  born  in  Tuscarawas  county,  Ohio,  near  Canal  Dover,  on  the 


sixth  day  of  October,  1844.  He  was  in  his  ninth  year  when  his 
father  came  to  this  county.  His  father  was  a man  of  great  in- 
dustry and  energy,  who  brought  up  his  children  to  habits  of 
industry. 

He  was  married  on  the  fifth  day  of  April,  1853,  to  Miss  Frances 

E.  Painter,  who  w’as  born  near  Palestine  in  Crawford  county,  in 
this  state.  Her  father  was  Benjamin  Painter,  who  was  born  in 
Virginia,  in  the  year  1803,  and  came  to  Crawford  county, 
Illinois,  in  1805,  when  two  years  of  age,  and  lived  in  that  ]>art  of 
the  state  till  his  death  in  1877.  Since  his  father’s  removal  to 
Taylorville  in  May,  1873,  Mr.  Lawton  has  been  engaged  in  farm- 
ing the  old  homestead.  He  has  had  three  children,  Mary 

F.  ; Benjamin  E.,  who  died  in  1878  one  year  and  two  months 
old  ; and  an  infant  daughter.  He  has  always  been  a republican 
in  politics,  and  cast  his  first  vote  for  President,  for  Grant  in 
1868. 


246 


HISTORY  OF  CHRISTIAN  COUNTY,  ILLINOIS. 


Like  many  of  the  substantial  farmers  on  tlie  Buckeye  prairie, 
Mr.  Hunter  is  a native  of  Ohio.  He  was  born  in  Tuscarawas 
county,  of  that  state,  on  the  twenty-fourth  of  Novembci',  1832.  His 
ancestors,  at  an  early  date,  scttlcil  in  the  state  of  Pennsylvania,  and 
Mr.  Hunter  still  has  in  his  posse.ssion  a commission  as  lieutenant  in 
the  128th  regiment  of  Pennsylvania  militia,  which  was  held  by  his 
granilfathcr,  James  Hunter.  His  commission  is  signed  by  Thomas 
McKean,  then  governor  of  renn.«ylvania.  James  Hunter  moved 
from  ]’enn.sylvania  to  Ohio,  and  was  one  of  the  ]>ioneer  settlers  of 
Tuscarawas  county.  William  I lunter,  the  father  of  the  subject  of 
this  sketch,  was  born  in  Somerset  county,  Pennsylvania,  and  was  a 
small  boy  when  lie  came  to  Ohio.  He  was  raised  in  Tuscarawas 
county  of  that  state,  and  married  Susan  Butt,  daughter  of  AVilliam 
Putt.  The  Butt  family  came  from  Maryland,  and  were  among  the 
])ioneer  .settlers  of  Ohio. 

The  olde.st  of  idne  children  by  this  marriage  was  John  W.  Hun- 
ter. He  was  rui-siid  on  the  .same  farm  where  occurred  his  birth.  In 
the  days  of  his  boyhood  the  same  amjile  provision  for  the  education 
of  chihlrcn  had  not  been  made  as  at  the  ])rcsent  time.  The  schools 
were  held  usually  only  in  the  winter.  The  boys  attended  school 
only  a few  weeks,  and  then  through  the  next  summer  generally  for- 
got all  that  had  been  learned  during  the  winter.  Mr.  Hunter’s 
father  was  a man  accustomed  to  hard  labor,  and  brought  up  his 
children  to  follow,  in  this  respect,  his  example.  In  the  fall  of 
18o3  the  family  moved  from  Ohio  to  this  county,  llis  father  had 
lireviouslv  visited  the. state,  and  sclcct(!d  a lo(;ation  on  .section  twenty- 


eight  of  Locust  township,  to  which  the  family  removed,  after  living 
one  year  in  May  township,  east  of  Taylorville.  Mr.  Hunter’s 
father  improved  a farm  there  and  died  in  the  fall  of  1858  ; his 
mother  died  in  the  spring  of  1861. 

His  marriage  occurred  on  the  twenty  second  of  May,  1856,  to  Miss 
IVIartha  J.  Vermillion,  a native  of  Sangamon  county.  Her  father, 
Birch  Vermillion,  was  a Kentuckian,  who  came  to  Sangamon 
county  in  the  year  1833,  and  settled  fifteen  miles  west  of  Spring- 
field,  where  he  died.  Mrs.  Hunter’s  mother  moved  with  her  family 
to  Christian  county  in  the  spring  of  1856.  In  the  fall  of  1856,  Mr. 
Hunter  began  improving  the  farm  on  which  he  now  lives,  in  section 
thirty-three  of  Locust  township.  He  built  a house,  into  which  he 
moved  the  spring  of  1857.  He  has  been  living  on  the  same  farm 
ever  since.  His  farm  consists  of  233  acres.  Besides  being  employed 
in  general  farming,  he  has  been  engaged,  to  a considerable  extent, 
in  raising  stock.  Of  late  years  he  has  devoted  his  attention  to  fine 
cattle  and  hogs.  On  his  premises  may  be  seen  as  good  short-horn 
cattle  as  can  be  found  in  the  county,  and  his  breeds  of  Berkshire 
hogs  arc  as  pure  as  can  be  obtained.  llis  name  appears  in  several 
instances  in  the  published  volumes  of  the  American  Berkshire 
Record,  as  the  owner  of  several  animals.  He  is  also  one  of  the 
members  of  the  American  Short- Horn  Breeders’  Association.  He 
was  one  of  the  gentlemen  interested  in  the  Christian  County  Agri- 
cultural Association,  and  for  a number  of  years  took  an  active  part 
in  the  annual  fairs.  As  a member  of  the  Board  of  Directors,  he 
did  all  in  his  power  to  make  these  fairs  a success,  and  was  usually 


Tk«  Llbrwjr 

of  th« 

V of  IlfiMfi, 


HISTORY  OF  CHRISTIAN  COUNTY,  ILLINOIS. 


the  recipient  of  several  premiums  for  the  excellence  of  his  display 
of  stock. 

He  was  one  of  the  early  members  of  the  republican  organization, 
and  his  family  on  both  sides  were  supporters  of  the  old  whig  party. 
He  sympathized  with  the  aims  of  the  republican  party  from  its  or- 
ganization, and  in  1860  voted  for  Lincoln  for  president.  Although 
of  late  years  his  views  have  differed  somewhat  from  the  financial 
theories  which  have  found  favor  with  the  majority  of  the  republican 
party,  and  he  believes  that  that  party  has  made  grave  mistakes  in 
the  management  of  the  currency,  still  he  is  a republican,  and  with 
the  exception  of  a couple  of  years,  has  always  voted  the  republican 
ticket.  He  is  a man  whose  .sympathies  have  been  with  the  people 
in  opposition  to  monopolies.  At  the  convention  of  the  farmers’ 
movement,  when  that  organization  j^romised  to  become  of  some  solid 
advantage  to  the  agricultural  community,  he  took  a deep  interest  in 
it,  and  for  a time  served  as  Vice-President  of  the  State  Farmers’ 
Association  for  this  congressional  district,  and  assisted  in  organizing 
several  societies  in  the  central  part  of  the  state.  He  also,  for  a 
number  of  years,  filled  the  office  of  the  Justice  of  the  Peace.  He 
represented  Locust  township  in  the  Board  of  Supervisors,  and  while 
on  the  board,  was  principally  influential  in  the  establishment  of 
the  county  poor  farm.  He  has  been  one  of  the  enterprising  citizens 
of  the  county.  For  a number  of  years  he  has  been  a member  of  the 
Buckeye  Methodist  Church.  He  now  has  four  children,  whose 
names  are  as  follows:  Cynthia  S-,  Charles  F.,  Hattie  Belle  and 
Gertrude.  Three,  Alvin  Orlando,  Ellen  and  Lucy,  are  deceased. 
His  portrait  appears  at  the  head  of  this  sketch. 

E.  K.  SHEPHERD, 

Henry  Shepherd,  father  of  E.  R.  Shepherd,  an  illustration  of 
whose  farm  in  Locust  township  appears  on  another  page,  is  now 
one  of  the  oldest  men  living  in  Christian  county,  and  one  of  the 
few  surviving  soldiers  of  the  war  of  1812.  Henry  Shepherd  was 
born  in  the  town  of  Tinmouth,  Rutland  county,  Vermont,  on  the 
12th  of  April,  1792.  He  is,  consequently  now  in  the  eighty-ninth  year 
of  his  age.  His  father,  David  Shepherd,  had  been  a soldier  in  the 
war  of  the  Revolution,  and  was  with  Gen.  Ethan  Allen  at  the  tak- 
ing of  Fort  Ticonderoga.  He  was  also  one  of  the  Green  Mountain 
Boys,  whose  bravery  saved  the  day  at  the  battle  of  Bennington. 
After  the  Revolution,  he  married  and  settled  at  Tinmouth,  Ver- 
mont, and  subsequently  moved  to  Castleton,  in  the  same  state.  David 
Shepherd  was  in  Capt.  David  Beecher’s  company,  raised  in  the  town 
of  Castleton,  for  service  in  the  war  of  1812,  and  took  part  in  the  Can- 
ada campaign.  In  September,  1812,  Henry  Shepherd  enlisted  in 
Capt.  White  Young’s  company,  15th  regiment  United  States  In- 
fantry. This  regiment  Avas  commanded  by  Col.  Zcbulon  M.  Pike, 
one  of  the  most  illustrious  characters  of  the  war,  in  whose  honor 
Pike’s  Peak  received  its  name.  His  company  was  composed  of 
soldiers  from  Vermont,  Pennsylvania,  and  New  Jersey.  He  served 
eighteen  months  in  the  state  of  New  York  and  in  Canada,  and  was 
in  the  engagement  at  Sackett’s  Harbor,  New  York,  and  of  the  Stone 
Mill,  Canada.  His  term  of  enli-stment  expired  in  the  spring  of 
1814. 

In  1815,  he  determined  to  make  his  home  in  the  west.  That 
was  at  a day  when  the  whole  western  country  was  a wilderness, 
and  Ohio  was  regarded  as  a frontier  state.  He  made  the  whole 
journey  on  foot,  from  Vermont  to  Cleveland,  Ohio,  which  was 
then  a small  village  recently  founded.  He  was  one  of  the  earliest 


O'*  7 


settlers  of  Cuyahoga  county.  When  he  first  saw  Cleveland,  it  con- 
tained only  a few  log  buildings,  two  taverns,  and  a log  jail  and 
court-house.  Most  of  the  time  Avhile  living  in  Ohio,  he  Avorked  at 
the  carpenter’s  trade.  In  the  month  of  January,  1820,  he  married 
Cynthia  Jones,  aaLo  died  in  June,  1821.  His  second  Avife  Avas 
Matilda  Richmond,  Avho  Avas  born  at  Peru,  Massachusetts,  and 
Avhom  he  married  in  the  spring  of  1823.  Her  death  happened  in 
1864. 

In  1860,  he  removed  to  this  state,  first  settling  in  Stephenson 
county,  and  in  1861,  came  to  this  county.  He  Avas  old  enough 
to  A"ote  for  pr  sident  in  1816,  at  the  time  of  the  election  of  James 
Monroe.  But  there  AA'as  no  rigid  division  of  party  lines  at  that 
time,  and  no  excitement  about  the  election,  and  as  he  Avould  have 
been  obliged  to  travel  a long  distance  to  vote,  he  did  not  cast  a 
ballot  at  that  election.  He  ditl  not  vote  till  1824,  Avhen  Clay, 
CraAvford,  Adams,  and  Jackson  Avere  the  opposing  candidates,  and 
Adams  Avas  chosen  by  the  House  of  Representatives.  When  the 
country  came  to  be  divided  into  the  Avhig  and  democratic  parties, 
he  gave  his  support  to  the  Avhigs,  and  generally  voted  for  their 
candidates.  At  the  election  of  1824,  he  voted  for  Adams;  he 
supported  the  same  candidate  in  1828;  in  1832  he  voted  for 
Henry  Clay;  in  1836  also  for  the  Avhig  candidate;  in  1840  for 
Harrison;  and  in  1844,  again  for  Clay.  His  convictions  on  the 
subject  of  slavery  made  him  one  of  the  earliest  adherents  of  the 
free  s»il  movement.  In  1848,  he  voted  for  Van  Buren,  Avho  was 
nominated  for  the  presidency  by  those  opposed  to  the  extension  of 
slavery.  In  1852,  he  favored  the  election  of  Franklin  Pierce,  as 
being  least  obnoxious  to  the  free  soilers,  and  on  the  organization  of 
the  republican  party,  a couple  of  years  later,  he  became  one  of  its 
earliest  members  and  most  ardent  supporters.  He  voted  for  Fre- 
mont in  1856,  for  Lincoln  in  1860  and  1864,  for  Grant  in  1868 
and  1872,  for  Hayes  in  1876,  and  at  this  Avriting,  hopes  to  be  on 
this  footstool  in  November,  1880,  to  cast  his  vote  for  James  A. 
Garfield,  a natiA^e  of  the  same  county  in  AAdiich,  for  so  long  a time, 
he  had  his  home  in  Ohio. 

E.  R.  Shepherd  Avas  born  in  Cuyahoga  county,  Ohio,  twelve 
miles  from  Cleveland,  on  the  19th  of  January,  1838.  His  mother 
Avas  Matilda  Richmond,  his  father’s  second  Avife.  She  was  the 
daughter  of  Elihu  Richmond,  one  of  the  early  settlers  of  Cuyahoga 
county,  Ohio.  In  Ohio  the  family  lived  in  a Avell-settled  country, 
and  the  district  schools  afforded  good  opportunities  for  obtaining 
an  education,  but  on  their  removal  to  Illinois,  they  settled  in  a 
part  of  Stephenson  county,  Avhich  at  that  time  contained  few  settlers, 
and  scant  educational  advantages.  In  1861,  Mr.  Shepherd  came 
with  his  father,  to  this  county,  first  residing  in  May  township.  In 
1864,  he  bought  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres  of  land  in  section  one 
of  Locust  township.  On  the  18th  of  November,  of  the  same  year, 
he  married  Sarah  Ring,  Avdio  Avas  born  in  Cabell  county,  Virginia, 
in  August,  1846.  Her  father,  Andrew  Ring,  Avas  a native  of  Penn- 
sylvania; moved  from  that  state  to  Virginia,  thence  to  Kentucky, 
and  about  the  year  1850,  to  Mis.souri,  Avhere  he  finally  settled  at 
La  Grange.  Her  father  died  in  June,  1857,  and  her  mother  on 
the  28th  of  March,  1880.  Mrs.  Shepherd  Avent  to  Assumption  to 
visit  some  relatives,  and  thus  made  her  husband’s  acquaintance. 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Shepherd  have  had  five  children : the  oldest,  Emma, 
died  in  infancy;  the  others  are  Annie,  Bertie,  Harry  J.,  and  Eddie. 
Mr.  Shepherd  is  one  of  the  enterprising  farmers  of  Locust  town- 
ship. In  politics  he  is  a republican. 


248 


HISTORY  OF  CHRISTIAN  COUNTY,  ILLINOIS. 


Is  one  of  the  representative  fanners  of  Locust  Township.  He  is 
the  son  of  Kdwanl  and  Mary  Ann  (Hinds)  Lawton,  who  were  born 
in  Nottinglianishire,  England  ; were  married  in  1832;  emigrated 
the.sameyear  to  America;  lived  in  Canada  till  1838,  part  of  the  time 
near  Montreal,  and  part  of  the  time  near  Niagara  Falls ; and  then 
moved  to  Tuscarawas  county,  Ohio,  where  they  lived  till  1853,  at 
which  time  they  settled  in  Locust  Township  in  this  county-  His 
father  was  born  in  the  year  1811 , and  his  mother  in  1813-  Both 
are  now  living  in  Taylorville.  The  birth  of  Samuel  C.  Lawton 
occurred  in  Canada  on  the  thirteenth  of  February,  1836.  He  was 
the  next  to  the  olde.st,  of  a family  of  eleven  children,  of  whom  ten 
are  now  living.  He  was  raised  mostly  in  Ohio,  being  only  eighteen 
months  old  when  the  family  moved  to  that  state.  His  opportuni- 
ties for  obtaining  an  education  were  only  of  an  ordinary  character. 
He  attemlcd  .school  oidy  in  winter,  sometimes  even  missing  part  of 
that  term,  ami  in  the  summer  worked  on  the  farm.  On  coming  to 
this  county  his  father  bought  at  three  dollars  an  acre,  two  hundred 
and  forty  acres  of  land,  all  of  which  with  the  exception  of  forty 
acres  of  timber,  lay  in  section  four  of  Locu.st  Town.ship.  They 
began  inqjroviiig  this  tract  in  the  fall  of  1853. 

'Phis  was  the  first  settlement  made  out  on  the  j)rairie,  in  what  is 
now  Locust  'Pownshii).  The  earlier  .settlers  had  kc])t  close  to  the 
limber.  At  that  time  the  prairie  to  the  east  lay  all  oj)cn  and  un- 
cultivated, and  few  dreamed  that  fine  farms  and  costly  im])rovc- 
ments  wouhl  ever  mark  the  wide  expanse  over  which  roamed  large 
numbers  of  wolves,  deer  ami  other  wild  animals.  'Phe  Illinois 
Central  railroad  had  not  at  that  time  been  comj)leted,  although 
part  of  the  grading  had  been  done  through  the  county.  The  town 
of  I’ana  had  not  been  surveyed,  and  A.ssumption  had  just  been 
-itartefl.  .Mr.  Lawton  was  seventeen  years  old  when  he  came  to 
ihi.s  county.  He  ilid  a fair  share  of  the  work  in  bringing  the  farm 


intt)  cultivation.  On  the  eighth  day  of  January,  1863,  he  married 
Irena  A.  Pullen.  Mrs.  Lawton  \vas  born  in  Pennsylvania  on  the 
tenth  of  July,  1838,  and  was  the  next  to  the  oldest,  of  a family  of 
eleven  children.  She  has  one  brother  living  at  Nokomis  in  Mont- 
gomery county,  and  three  sisters,  two  of  whom  reside  in  this 
county ; the  remaining  sister  lives  in  Texas.  Her  father,  Elijah  J. 
Pullen  and  her  mother,  Lydia  Ann  Smith,  were  both  natives  of 
New  Jersey,  and  were  married  in  that  state.  From  New  Jersey, 
they  moved  to  Pennsylvania,  where  they  lived  two  years,  and  about 
the  year  1839  or  1840  came  to  Illinois.  Her  fother  was  a car- 
})enter  by  trade  and  settled  at  Springfield,  where  he  lived  till  about 
the  year  1844,  when  he  removed  to  this  county  and  settled  on  a 
farm,  on  the  South  Fork  in  Johnson  Township.  This  is  the  farm 
on  which  John  Dappard  now  lives,  in  section  twenty-four,  Johnson 
township.  Deer  and  wolves  were  the  only  inhabitants  of  that 
locality,  when  the  Pullen  family  moved  there.  Her  father  built  a 
log-house  and  improved  the  farm,  which  he  sold  to  Dappard.  In 
1866,  her  parents  moved  to  Nokomis,  where  they  have  since  resided. 
Mrs.  Lawton  is  now  one  of  the  old  residents  of  Christian  county, 
and  few  now  remain  of  those  who  were  living  in  the  county  at  the 
time  her  father  settled  on  the  South  Fork. 

In  1865,  Mr.  Lawton  moved  to  his  present  location.  He  first 
])urchased  eighty  acres,  and  his  farm,  which  is  one  of  the  best 
managed  and  finest  in  the  township,  now  includes  one  hundred  and 
forty  acres.  He  has  three  children,  Pauline  C-,  Lydia  A.  M.,  and 
Almira  I.  Lawton.  He  is  one  of  the  enterprising  farmers  of  Locust 
township.  He  has  attended  closely  to  his  oavu  business  affairs  and 
has  taken  no  part  in  public  concerns,  though  he  is  a sincere  and 
earnest  republican  in  his  politics.  By  his  vote  for  Lincoln  in 
1860,  he  helped  to  elect  the  first  republican  president  this  country 
ever  luul. 


Farm  Res.  OF  PHILIP  EBERT ^ Sec.6  Rosemono  Tr,(H}  RH  W.  ChfustianCo.Ju. 


Farm  AND  Res. OF  S.  C.  LAWTON , Sec.  4^  Locust  Tr,(I2)  R.  I , V\/.  Christian  Co., III. 


Ike  Llbrnr 
of  tbo 

Untv«r«lty  of  tfff<**fo 


rif  Ubnrj 

of  tho 

Unlvf»f,(ty  of  IlfJnof* 


Farm  & P ES.  OF  JAMES  LAWTON,  Sec 


HISTORY  OF  CHRISTIAN  COUNTY,  ILLINOIS. 


249 


Z.  F.  BATES. 

Mr.  Bates  was  born  in  Sangamon  county,  on  the  12th  day  of 
January,  1836.  The  family  from  which  he  is  descended  is  of  English 
origin,  and  on  first  coming  to  this  country  lived  in  New  England. 
His  father,  Oliver  Bates,  was  born  in  the  state  of  New  York,  and 
was  there  married  to  Charity  Buckman,  who  was  a native  of  the 
state  of  Vermont.  His  father  was  engaged  in  farming  in  St.  Law- 
rence county,  in  New  York,  and  in  the  year  1833  emigrated  to  Illi- 
nois and  settled  in  Sangamon  county,  at  Farmington,  ten  miles  west 
of  Springfield.  The  subject  of  this  biography  was  the  fourth  of 
a family  of  six  children.  From  the  age  of  fifteen  he  was  away 
from  home — mostly  employed  in  handling  stock  and  other  similar 
occupations.  In  1860  he  went  to  St.  Josejdi,  Missouri,  and  during 
the  next  two  years  that  place  was  principally  his  home,  though  he 
also  spent  considerable  time  at  Savannah,  in  Andrew  county,  Mis- 
souri. Part  of  the  time  he  was  also  in  Kansas.  He  came  back  to 
Illinois  in  1862,  and  lived  in  Sangamon  county  till  1867,  and  then 
came  to  this  county  and  settled  where  he  now  lives,  on  the  north 
half  of  section  30  of  Locust  township.  He  located  on  raw  prairie 
land.  He  now  owns  four  hundred  and  twenty  acres  of  land,  one 
hundred  and  twenty  of  which  lie  in  Johnson  township.  On  the 
13th  of  October,  1868,  he  married  Mrs.  Joanna  S.  Ellis.  Her 
maiden  name  was  Murry,  daughter  of  Jeremiah  H.  Murry  of 
Rosemond  township.  She  was  born  in  Tuscarawas  county,  Ohio,  and 
came  to  this  county  in  1856.  She  was  married  on  the  2d  of  June, 
1865,  to  William  H.  Ellis,  who  died  on  the  22d  of  Feb.,  1866.  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Bates  have  four  children  living,  Charles  B.,  Roxanna  C.,  Mary 
M.  and  Josephine  S.  Their  second  child,  Libbie  A.,  was  born  on  the 
22d  day  of  March,  1871,  and  died  on  the  16th  of  January,  1872. 
Mrs.  Bates  has  also  a son  by  her  first  marriage,  William  J.  Ellis. 
Mr.  Bates  has  always  been  a democrat  in  politics,  and  is  one  of  the 
leading  members  of  his  party  in  this  part  of  the  county.  He  served 
two  terms  as  Justice  of  the  Peace  in  Locust  township,  and  also  for 
four  or  five  years  was  a member  of  the  Board  of  Supervisors. 


Dr.  J.  S.  C.  CUSSINS. 

Dr.  Cusssins,  the  present  Chairman  of  the  Board  of  Supervisors, 
was  born  in  Muskingum  county,  Ohio,  March  the  24th,  1851.  His 
grandfather  was  one  of  the  early  settlers  of  Muskingum  county. 
His  father  was  Samuel  Cussins,  and  his  mother's  maiden  name 
was  Jane  Careins.  His  mother’s  family  had  settled  at  an  early 
date  in  Ohio,  and  was  connected  with  the  St.  Clair  family,  so  that 
the  subject  of  this  sketch  was  named  James  St.  Clair  C.  Cussins. 
He  was  the  next  to  the  youngest  of  a family  of  five  children.  In 
1863,  his  father  moved  to  this  state  and  settled  at  Decatur,  where 
he  died  in  1872.  The  Dr.  was  in  his  thirteenth  year  on  coming  to 
Illinois.  He  laid  the  foundation  of  a good  education  in  the  public 
schools  of  Ohio  and  of  Decatur.  In  1869,  he  entered  the  Illinois 
Industrial  University,  at  Champaign,  and  was  a student  in  that  in- 
stitution for  three  years.  He  there,  of  course,  enjoyed  excellent 
educational  advantages,  and  left  the  University  within  a few  months 
of  the  time  when  he  would  have  graduated.  He  had  begun  teach- 
ing school  at  the  age  of  sixteen,  and  after  leaving  Champaign  he 
taught  school  in  Macon  county  for  about  three  years  and  a half. 
He  began  the  study  of  medicine  with  Drs.  Moore  and  Barnes, 
leading  physicians  of  Decatur,  in  the  year  1873,  and  afterward 
entered  Rush  Medical  College  at  Chicago,  from  which  he  graduated 
in  the  spring  of  1877.  During  the  succeeding  summer  he  practiced 
in  connection  with  his  preceptors  at  Decatur,  and  in  September, 
1877,  located  at  Owaneco,  where  he  has  since  followed  the  practice 
of  his  profession  with  merited  success.  He  was  married  to  Miss 
32 


Ella  Lord  in  January,  1878.  She  is  the  daughter  of  Thomas  Lord, 
of  Macon  county,  where  she  was  born  and  raised.  In  the  spring  of 
1879,  Dr.  Cussins  was  elected  a member  of  the  Board  of  Supervi- 
sors from  Locust  township.  He  became  one  of  the  active  members 
of  the  Board,  and  on  its  organization  in  the  spring  of  1880  was 
made  its  chairman.  Since  February,  1879,  he  has  carried  on  the 
drug  business  at  Owaneco.  He  is  a democrat  in  politics,  and  is  a 
man  who  has  made  many  friends  during  his  residence  in  this 
county. 


J.  C.  HUNTER. 

Mr.  Hunter  has  been  in  the  mercantile  business  at  Owaneco  since 
1874.  His  ancestors  were  early  residents  of  Pennsylvania.  His 
grandfather,  James  Hunter,  lived  in  Somerset  county  in  that  state, 
and  afterwards  became  one  of  the  early  settlers  of  Tuscarawas  coun- 
ty, Ohio.  His  paternal  grandmother  was  a Stewart,  and  of  Scotch- 
Irish  descent.  His  father,  John  Hunter,  was  born  in  Somerset 
county,  Pennsylvania,  and  was  a child  on  the  removal  of  the  fami- 
ly to  Ohio.  He  subsequently  removed  to  Hamilton  county,  in  the 
same  state,  and  married  Mary  W.  Day,  who  was  born  in  Hamilton 
county.  J.  C.  Hunter  was  the  second  of  a family  often  children 
by  this  marriage,  and  was  born  in  Hamilton  county,  Ohio,  within 
six  miles  of  Cincinnati,  on  the  twenty-third  of  July,  1846.  He  ob- 
tained his  education  in  the  common  schools  of  the  part  of  the  state 
in  which  he  was  born  and  raised.  When  eighteen  years  of  age  he 
enlisted  in  the  Union  army,  and  served  during  the  war  of  the  rebel- 
lion. He  was  enrolled  in  Company  C.,  138th  regiment  Ohio  in- 
fantry, on  the  first  day  of  May,  1864.  His  regiment  was  attached 
to  the  Army  of  the  Potomac,  and  he  saw  his  first  ssrvice  at  Arlington 
Heights,  opposite  Washington,  and  from  there  his  regiment  was 
sent  down  with  the  forces  to  operate  against  Richmond.  During 
the  summer  of  1864,  his  regiment  was  stationed  on  the  Appomattox, 
and  from  there  was  dispatched  to  the  Peninsula,  where  he  was  at- 
tacked with  typhoid  fever  and  confined  in  the  hospital  six  weeks. 
He  was  mustered  out  in  September,  1864,  and  returned  to  Ohio. 
From  Ohio  he  came  to  Richland  county,  in  this  state,  to  which  his 
father  had  moved  with  his  family.  Mr.  Hunter  was  married  in 
Richland  county  on  the  third  of  Aj)ril,  1872,  to  Agnes  M.  Robin- 
son, daughter  of  J.  P.  Robinson.  AYhile  in  Richland  county  he 
was  farming,  teaching  school,  and  for  one  year  carried  on  the  mer- 
cantile business  at  Fairview.  In  the  spring  of  1874,  he  came  to 
this  county  and  began  the  mercantile  business  at  Owaneco,  in  part- 
nership with  H.  Craver.  Since  1876  he  has  been  carrying  on  the 
store  alone.  He  has  been  Post-master  at  Owaneco  ever  since  he 
established  himself  in  business  in  the  town.  In  politics  he  has  been 
a republican.  He  is  known  as  one  of  the  representative  business 
men  of  this  part  of  the  county,  and  a merchant  ,of  enterprise  and 
liberality. 


WILLIAM  BICKERDIKE 

Was  born  in  Yorkshire,  England,  on  the  nineteenth  of  October, 
1838.  His  father  was  John  Bickerdike,  and  his  mother  Hannah 
Briggs.  He  was  the  seventh  of  a family  of  nine  children,  composed 
of  .seven  boys  and  two  girls.  In  the  spring  of  1843  the  family  emi- 
grated to  America,  and  settled  on  a farm  in  Pike  county,  in  this 
state,  where  the  subject  of  this  sketch  was  principally  raised.  When 
he  was  twenty  years  of  age,  he  began  farming  for  himself  in  Pike 
county.  He  accumulated  sufficient  money  to  buy  eighty  acres  of 
land,  and  was  married  on  the  twentieth  of  August,  1865,  to  Alary 
A.  Dusenbury,  who  was  born  in  Harrison  county,  Ohio,  on  the 
twelfth  of  May,  1840.  Her  father’s  name  was  Samuel  Dusenbury, 


250 


HISTORY  OF  CHRISTIAN  COUNTY,  ILLINOIS. 


aud  her  mother’s  maiden  name  was  Susan  Swallow.  Her  father  lo- 
cated in  Pike  county,  in  this  state,  in  1853,  moved  to  Christian 
county  in  1865,  and  is  now  farming  in  Pana  township.  Mr.  Bick- 
erdike,  in  1870,  became  a resident  of  this  county.  He  now  owns  a 
farm  of  160  acres,  in  section  twenty-five  of  township  twelve,  range 
one  west.  He  has  four  children  named  Charles  Louis,  Cora  Eliza- 
beth, James  Arthur  and  William  Watson.  He  is  a man  who  has 
attended  closely  to  his  own  private  business  affairs,  and  has  taken  no 
active  part  in  politics.  He  is  an  adherent  of  neither  political  party, 
but  occupies  an  independent  position,  generally  voting  for  the  man 


whom  he  considers  best  fitted  for  the  office,  without  regard  to  his 
politics.  His  mother  died  in  Pike  county,  in  March,  1876,  and  his 
father  a year  afterward,  in  March,  1877.  Four  of  his  brothers 
served  in  the  Union  army  during  the  war  of  the  rebellion,  all  of 
them  in  Illinois  regiments.  One  of  them,  George  Bickerdike,  was 
a member  of  the  second  Illinois  Cavalry,  and  was  killed  in  an  en- 
gagement at  Holly  Springs,  Mississippi.  Three  others  were  in  the 
seventy-third  Illinois  regiment.  Two  ofhis  brothers  reside  in  Polk 
county,  Wisconsin,  and  the  remainder  of  his  brothers  and  sisters 
now  living  are  in  Pike  county,  Illinois. 


KING  TOWNSHIP. 


•7  -^i^US  situated  in  the  extreme  south-western  part  of  Christian 
^ county,  and  comprises  an  area  of  territory  twelve  miles 

RP  long  by  three  miles  wide.  It  is  composed  of  the  east 
half  of  township  11-4  and  12-4,  and  contains  thirty-six 
square  miles  or  23,040  acres  of  rich  productive  prairie;  it  is  drained 
by  Bear  Creek,  Prairie  Fork,  and  Clear  Creek,  whose  waters  flow 
north  and  north-east,  and  empty  into  the  South  Fork  of  the  San- 
gamon. King  is  bounded  on  the  north  by  South  Fork,  east  by 
Bear  Creek  and  Ricks  townships,  south  and  west  by  Montgomery 
county. 

The  Wabash,  St.  Louis  aud  Pacific  railway  enters  (T.  11-4  in 
the  south-east  corner  of  King)  on  section  13,  and  leaves  the  town- 
ship on  section  34  at  Harvel.  A portion  of  the  village  of  Harvel 
is  platted  on  section  34  of  this  township.  King  originally  formed 
a part  of  Bear  Creek  ])rccinct.  The  lands  were  originally  surveyed 
bv  the  U.  S.  authorities  about  the  year  1819.  But  for  many  years^ 
even  after  the  organization  of  the  county,  it  remained  comi^ara- 
tively  unsettled.  Being  remote  from  any  market,  it  was  unin. 
viting  to  the  tiller  of  the  soil.  But  as  the  wave  of  emigration 
reached  its  borders,  its  soil  too  in  later  years  was  subdued  and 
covered  with  farm-houses,  together  with  those  adjuncts  of  civiliza- 
tion,— churches  and  school-houses. 

On  the  adoption  of  township  organization  in  1866,  it  formed  a 
sei)arate  township  and  was  named  King,  in  compliment  to  the 
King  family  who  were  early  residents.  An  election  was  held  April 
3,  1866,  for  its  officers.  Win.  A.  Potts  was  chosen  first  Supervisor. 
Thos.  F.  Potts  and  Jesse  J.  King  were  elected  first  Justices  of  the 
J'eace. 

A lake  or  large  swamp  lies  in  the  .south-east  part  of  the  towmship, 
in  parts  of  sections  35  and  36,  cla.ssed  under  the  head  of  swamp 
lands. 

The  land  in  the  north  half  of  the  township  is  owned  by  various 
persons,  and  is  thickly  settled,  whilst  that  on  the  .south  side  is 
mostly  owned  by  large  land  sjieculators.  These  lands  are  occuiiied 
Ity  tenants  on  lea.se. 

King  contains  no  town  within  its  borders.  Palmer,  Morri.sonville, 
and  Harvel  are  the  towns  nearest  to  it,  where  most  of  the 
marketing  is  done.  This  town.ship  voted  .$5000  in  aid  of  tlic 
“ Decatur  and  F.  St.  Louis  Railroad,”  now  called  Waba.sh,  St. 
Louis  and  I’acilic  Railway.  At  the  presidential  election  in  1876, 
it  ca.st  a total  vote  of  192 — indicating  a population  of  nearly  1000. 
In  1870  the  census  showed  a population  of  413. 

The  first  land  entered  in  King  township  asa])i)cars  on  the  county 
records  is  a.s  follows:  T.  11-4,  SepU  18,  1851,  James  McKinney, 


S.  E.  half  of  N.  W.  quarter.  Sec.  35,  40  acres;  Nov.  28,  1851 
James  E.  Happer,  N.  E.  quarter.  Sec.  1,  160  acres.  T.  12-4,  Oct. 
17,  1851,  Arthur  Bradshaw,  W.  half,  (lot  2),  N.  W.  quarter.  Sec. 
3,  40  100  acres  ; Nov.  18, 1851,  Henry  Parrish,  (lot  1),  N.  W.  quarter. 
Sec.  3,  80  acres  ; E.  half,  (lot  2 ),  N.  W.  quarter.  Sec.  3,  40 1^  acres ; 
W.  half,  (lot  1),  N.  E.  quarter,  Sec.  3,  40  acres.  Nov.  18,  1851, 
Wm.  Glower,  S.  W.  quarter.  Sec.  3,  160  acres,  and  S.  E.  quarter, 
Sec.  3,  160  acres. 

The  following  is  a list  of  townshiji  officers: 

Supervisors. — W.  A.  Potts,  elected  1866,  re-elected  ’67  and  ’68  ; 
Wm.  Wells,  1869  ; Chas.  H.  Van  Dike,  1870,  re-elected  ’71  ’72  ’73 
and  ’74;  F.  F.  Potts,  1875;  G.  W.  Lowrance,  1876;  D.  H.  Jack- 
.son,  1877,  re-elected  ’78  and  ’79 ; J.  J.  Carey,  1880. 

Assessors. — T.  F.  Glower,  1876  ; John  C.  Glower,  1877,  re-elected 
’78,  ’79  and  ’80. 

Collectors. — Samuel  Lemmon,  elected  1866  ; C.  H.  Van  Dike, 
1867,  re-elected ’68  and  ’69;  O.  H.  Parrish,  1870;  J.  H.  Kent, 
1871 ; D.  II.  Jackson,  1872  ; E.  L.  Van  Dike,  1873  ; G.  N.  Albin, 
1874;  C.  K.  Doyle,  1875;  Israel  Morton,  1876;  J.  S.  Morton, 
1877 ; J.  M.  King,  1878  ; J.  S.  Morton,  1879 ; Henry  McGee,  Jr.,  1880. 

Town  Clerks. — G.  N.  Albin,  1876,  re-elected  each  succeeding  year 
uj)  to  1879;  1.  S.  Morton,  1880. 

Commissioners  of  Highways. — E.  L.  Van  Dike,  1876;  W.  Wells, 
I).  L.  Whight  and  R.  H.  Shiffet,  1877  ; Jesse  Hanoi),  1878  ; T.  C. 
iNIorton,  1879;  R.  H.  Shiffet,  1880. 

Constables. — C.  C.  Young,  elected  in  1876  ; William  Spratt  and 
A.  J.  Nash,  1877  ; W.  S.  Lorton,  1879 ; C.  G.  Young,  re-elected  1880. 

Justices  of  the  Peace. — Thomas  E.  Potts,  elected  in  1866,  removed, 
and  Jesse  J.  King,  ’66;  W.  A.  Potts,  ’67  ; W.  A.  Potts  and  Stejiheii 
Alexander, ’70  ; John  A.  Curry, ’72;  Jesse  Hanon  and  John  A. 
Gurry,  ’73 ; John  A.  Gurry  and  A.  JMay,  ’77. 

As  King  is  the  most  recently  settled  townshij)  in  tlic  county  there 
arc  few  old  settlers  living  in  it.  Gapt.  Jesse  Hanon,  son  of  Martin 
Hanon,  the  first  settler  of  Christian  county,  was  born  in  1830,  and 
is  among  tlic  oldest  native-born  citizens  of  the  county.  He,  how- 
ever, has  lived  in  King  township  but  a few  years.  His  wife, 
Missouri  A.  Minnis,  became  a resilient  of  this  county  in  1833. 
Among  the  leading  farmers  may  be  mentioned  J.  II.  Adams,  M. 
I’.  Ghcency,  W.  A.  Potts  aud  Hatten  Gaskins,  A lithographic 
view  of  the  farms  and  residences  of  IMr,  Adams  and  Mr,  Gaskins 
can  be  seen  on  another  jiage  of  this  work.  'I'lie  inhabitants  of  King 
arc  an  intelligent,  energetic  and  thrifty  class  of  people,  and  in  a few 
vears  they  will  make  this  section  one  of  the  best  and  most  produc- 
tive agricultural  districts  of  the  county. 


Farm  AND  Residence  of  LANSINQ  ADAMS , SeC.30,Jovvn.  II,  Rangc  3,  Christian  Co., Ill 


T»ui  Libttfl, 

.t 


BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES. 


Martin  Hanon,  Capt.  Hanon’s  father,  was  the  first  settler  in 
Christian  county.  He  first  settled  in  Illinois,  in  the  eastern  part 
of  the  state,  near  the  Wabash  river,  in  the  year  1812.  In  1818  he 
came  to  what  is  now  Christian  county,  and  made  a settlement  near 
Taylorville.  A full  account  of  his  coming  to  this  county  is  found 
in  its  appropriate  place  in  the  history  of  the  pioneer  settlements. 
His  home  was  in  this  county  from  1818  till  his  death,  which  oc- 
curred near  Sharpshurg,  on  the  5th  of  April,  1879,  when  he  was 
only  a month  less  than  eighty  years  of  age.  He  was  a man  of  temper- 
ate and  abstemious  habits,  had  inherited  an  excellent  physical  consti- 
tution, and  in  his  old  age  enjoyed  unusual  physical  and  mental 
vigor.  When  about  forty-eight  years  old,  while  working  with  a 
carpenter’s  adze,  he  seriously  wounded  his  knee,  and  lamed  himself 
for  life.  Previous  to  the  occurrence  of  this  accident  he  had  never 
taken  a particle  of  medicine  from  a physician.  He  was  a man  who 
had  acquired  a marked  character  for  honesty  and  integrity,  and  who 
enjoyed  the  confidence  of  his  friends  and  neighbors  in  no  ordinary 
degree.  He  was  modest  in  deportment,  and  though  frequently 
solicited  to  occupy  public  office  (for  which  he  was  well  qualified  by 
his  education  and  natural  ability)  he  invariably  preferred  the  quiet 
of  private  life,  and  always  refused.  At  every  election  he  voted  the 


democratic  ticket.  In  his  earlier  life  he  adhered  to  the  theological 
doctrines  of  the  Old  School  Baptist  denomination,  but  gradually 
drifted  into  a belief  in  Universalisin.  He  was  married  in  Kentucky, 
to  Sarah  Miller,  who  died  in  1861.  By  her  he  had  ten  children, 
five  of  whom  are  still  living,  viz. : Jesse  Hanon,  of  King  township, 
the  oldest  son  ; Susan  Hanon,  now  residing  in  Barton  county, 
Kansas,  the  wife  of  G.  R.  Sharp,  of  Sharpshurg ; Cyrena,  who  mar- 
ried Seth  Mason  of  Sharpsburg ; and  Elijah  A.  Hanon,  who  now 
lives  at  Lamed,  in  Pawnee  county,  Kansas. 

Cajit.  Jesse  Hanon  was  born  on  the  South  fork  of  Sangamon 
river,  seven  miles  north-west  of  Taylorville,  on  the  14th  of  April, 
1830.  With  one  or  two  possible  exceptions,  he  is  now  the  oldest 
born  citizen  living  in  Christian  county.  In  childhood  he  had  only 
limited  advantages  for  obtaining  an  education.  He  attended  school 
altogether  about  thirteen  months,  part  of  which  time  was  at  so  early 
an  age  that  the  schooling  was  of  no  real  benefit.  Previous  to  the  com- 
mencement of  the  town  of  Taylorville,  his  father  had  moved  to  a 
farm  now  within  the  present  limits  of  the  town,  and  Capt.  Hanon 
well  remembers  the  building  of  the  first  house  from  which  Taylor- 
ville dates  its  growth.  He  learned  to  plow  on  ground  now  taken 
up  by  the  residence  portion  ofthe  town.  He  lived  at  home  till  his 

251 


252 


HISTORY  OF  CHRISTIAN  COUNTY,  ILLINOIS. 


marriage  to  Miss  Missouri  Ami  Miunis,  when  he  went  to  farming 
for  himself  in  Taylorville  townshiji. 

At  the  breaking  out  of  the  war  of  the  rebellion  he  enlisted  in 
Co.  A,  115th  Illinois  regiment.  He  was  mmstered  in  at  Camp  Butler, 
at  Springfield,  on  the  13th  of  September,  1862,  as  2d  Lieut.  The 
same  fall  his  regiment  was  ordered  to  Kentucky,  and  was  stationed 
at  Covington,  Lexington,  Richmond,  and  Danville,  in  that  state,  in 
succession.  In  February,  1863,  the  regiment  moved  to  Nashville, 
and  subsequently  assisted  in  constructing  the  fortifications  at  Frank- 
lin. On  the  resignation,  at  this  jilace,  of  the  adjutant  of  the  regi- 
ment, he  was  appointed  acting  adjutant.  He  had  been  promoted 
to  1st  lieutenant,  while  in  Kentucky.  After  spending  two  or 
three  weeks  of  the  summer  of  1863  in  the  hosjiital  at  Nashville,  he 
rejoined  his  regiment  at  War  Trace,  Tennessee,  and  was  placed  on 
staff  duty  as  the  provost  marshal  of  the  1st  Brigade  of  the  1st  Di- 
vision of  the  Reserve  Army  Corps,  under  Gen.  Gordon  Granger. 
The  brigade  was  commanded  by  Col.  Champion,  and  afterward 
by  Gen.  Whitaker.  He  was  in  the  battle  of  Chickamauga,  on  the 
20th  of  September,  1863,  and  was  taken  prisoner  by  the  Confede- 
rate forces.  He  was  a prisoner  in  the  Southern  Confederacy  for 
seventeen  months  and  ten  days,  during  which  time  he  was  an  in- 
mate of  the  rebel  prisons  at  Richmond,  (where  lie  was  confined  in 
the  notorious  Libby  prison) ; at  Danville,  Virginia,  Macon, 
Georgia,  Savannah,  and  Charleston,  South  Carolina,  where  he  was 
placed  by  the  rebels  under  fire  of  the  Union  guns,  to  prevent  the 
Federal  forces  from  bombarding  the  town;  at  Columbia,  South 
Carolina,  and  Charlotte,  North  Carolina.  He  was  exchanged  at 
Wilmington,  North  Carolina,  and  after  reaching  the  Union  lines 
returned  to  Christian  county.  After  remaining  at  home  three  weeks 
he  reported  for  duty  at  Camp  Chase,  in  Ohio,  and  after  remaining 
there  for  a time,  rejoined  his  regiment  at  Nashville,  Tennessee.  On 
the  11th  of  June,  1865,  he  was  mustered  out  at  Nashville,  and  re- 
ceived his  discharge  at  Camp  Butler,  on  the  23d  of  the  same  month 
he  had  been  jmimoted  Captain,  his  commi.ssion  dating  from  the 
20th  of  Sejitcmber,  1863,  the  date  of  the  battle  of  Chickamauga,  in 
which  he  was  captured. 

On  returning  to  Christian  county  he  resumed  farming.  For  the 
last  ten  years  he  has  been  a resident  of  King  township.  He  held 
the  office  of  School  Commissioner,  and  for  two  terms  served  as  Jus- 
tice of  the  Peace,  once  in  Taylorville  township,  and  once  in  King 
township.  He  formerly  was  a member  of  the  democratic  party, 
but  during  the  war  he  became  a republican.  He  is  a man  of  ori- 
ginality and  liberality  of  thought.  His  views  on  religious  subjects 
are  advanced  and  progre.^sive.  While  he  accepts  the  Scriptures  as 
a historic  statement  of  facts,  which  undoubtedly  transpired,  and  arc 
as  correct  as  any  records  written  at  such  times,  and  under  such  cir- 
cumstances, could  well  be,  still  he  regards  the  books  of  the  ( )ld  and 
New  Te.stameiits  as  purely  human,  and  not  different  from  any  other 
literary  production.s.  Their  authors  doubtless  considered  them- 
selves insj)ired,  l»ut  their  inspiration  was  sim])ly  that  of  Shake- 
speare and  Milton  ami  Dante.  If  God  had  actually  sjmken  face  to 
face  with  man  he  thinks  itprobal)lc  that  He  would  have  warned  and 
commamled  them  again.st  some  of  the  great  evils  of  society,  sucli 
ivs  slavery  ami  polygamy,  instead  of  giving  minute  imstructions  con- 
cerning the  u.sele.ss  details  of  the  old  Jewish  ritual.  He  is  an 
earnest  believer  in  the  princi|)les  of  morality,  and  is  a strong  advo- 
cate of  abstinence  from  intoxicating  liquors,  and  of  temperance  in 
every  rejjpect,  but  controverts  the  theological  ideas  which  enter  into 
the  belief  of  orthodox  churches.  He  is  a sincere  admirer  of  that 
great  sentiment  of  Thomas  Paine — “ The  world  is  my  country,  and 
t<j  do  good  my  religion.” 


JOSIAS  H.  ADAMS. 

This  gentleman,  who  is  now  farming  in  King  township,  was 
formerly  for  a long  number  of  years  engaged  in  the  hat  business,  at 
Springfield.  His  father,  Josias  Adams,  was  descended  from  the 
old  Adams  family  which  has  been  so  prominently  connected  with 
this  country,  and  in  Wilmington,  Delaware,  learned  the  trade  of  a 
hatter.  From  Wilmington  he  emigrated  to  West  Virginia,  then  a 
wild  and  unsettled  country.  He  married  Hannah  Moore,  whose 
family  was  of  English  origin,  and  was  well  connected  in  Virginia. 
Mr.  Adams’  father  became  an  extensive  land-owner,  owning  17,000 
acres  in  one  tract  alone  and  19,000  in  another,  and  a man  of  a 
great  deal  of  wealth.  Most  of  this  large  estate  still  belongs  to  the 
heirs.  The  subject  of  this  sketch  was  born  at  Clarksburg,  in 
Harrison  county.  West  Virginia,  on  the  2d  of  May,  1817,  and  lived 
at  that  place  till  he  was  sixteen  years  of  age.  At  that  time  there 
were  no  public  schools  in  existence,  and  Mr.  Adams  attended  pri- 
vate pay  schools  in  his  native  town.  One  of  the  instructors  whom 
he  principally  remembers  was  an  Irishman,  of  small  stature, — a 
bachelor,  who  tried  to  inculcate  the  principles  of  reading,  writing 
and  arithmetic  in  the  minds  of  his  pupils.  Mr.  Adams  was  a boy 
of  some  size  and  considerable  strength  when  he  went  to  school  to 
the  Irishman,  and  one  day  when  the  teacher  attempted  to  chastise 
him,  as  Mr.  Adams  thought  wrongly,  for  some  mischievous  con- 
duct, he  gave  battle  to  the  school-master  who  got  the  worst  of  the 
encounter  and  found  himself  sprawling  on  the  floor.  Some  of  Mr. 
Adams’  brothers  adopted  professions  and  received  a liberal  educa- 
tion. One  attended  the  military  academy  at  West  Point,  three 
studied  law,  and  one  became  a merchant. 

When  sixteen  he  left  home,  and  during  the  next  ten  years  was 
living  for  short  periods  at  difierent  points  in  Kentucky,  Ohio,  In- 
diana, Illinois,  IMissouri  and  Arkansas.  Part  of  the  time  he  was 
working  at  his  trade  of  a hatter,  which  he  had  learned  with  his 
father  at  CJarksburg,  and  which  he  followed  in  nearly  all  the  im- 
portant towns  then  in  existence  in  the  West.  After  working  for 
various  firms  in  St.  Louis,  in  1844  he  came  to  Springfield,  Illinois, 
with  the  purpose  of  permanently  locating  there.  Springfield  was 
then  a place  of  only  four  or  five  thousand  inhabitants.  He  bought 
out  all  the  hat  stores  in  Springfield,  and  embarked  in  the  business 
(piite  extensively.  Some  of  the  shops  had  previously  employed 
three  or  four  hands,  and  Mr.  Adams  managed  them  all  in  one 
establishment,  having  as  many  as  eighteen  or  twenty  hands  in  his 
employment.  He  carried  on  this  business  in  Springfield  for  up- 
wards of  thirty  years.  In  the  year  1844  occurred  his  marriage  to 
INIiss  Harriet  Taft,  who  was  born  in  Addison  county,  Vermont,  on 
the  18th  of  April,  1822.  Her  ancestors  came  from  England,  and 
settled  on  Long  Island  at  a jieriod  previous  to  the  Revolutionary 
war.  Her  paternal  grandmother  was  Ann  Cook,  a relative  of  the 
celebrated  Caj)t.  Cook,  the  great  English  navigator.  Mrs.  Adams’ 
grandfather  bought  large  tracts  of  land  in  Vermont,  to  which  he 
I’emoved  after  the  Revolutionary  war.  Her  father,  Josiah  Taft, 
raised  a company  of  men  and  served  in  the  war  of  1812  against 
Great  Britain.  He  took  part  in  the  battle  of  Plattsburg,  where  he 
received  a serious  wound,  half  of  his  foot  being  shot  away,  by 
which  he  was  maimed  for  life.  After  the  death  of  Mrs.  Adams’ 
father,  her  mother  moved,  with  her  two  children,  to  Illinois,  and 
.settled  at  Springfield.  Mrs.  .\<lams  was  then  a girl  of  sixteen. 
Her  older  brother,  William  Taft,  had  emigrated  to  Illinois  at  an 
early  date  and  settled  at  Rochester,  in  Sangamon  county,  where  he 
became  the  owner  of  a large  body  of  rich  land. 

Several  yi'ars  ago  Mr.  Adams  had  purchased  a quarter  section  of 
land  in  King  township,  to  which  he  concluded  to  remove  on  re- 
liinpiishing  the  hat  busine.ss  at  Springfield.  He  had  no  2>revious 


Tk«  Ubrv; 

•I  the 

OfrfvttrsHy  of  illlnou 


HISTORY  OF  CHRISTIAN  COUNTY,  ILLINOIS. 


253 


experience  in  farming,  with  the  exception  of  some  work  on  his 
father’s  farm  in  Virginia.  Since  his  residence  in  the  county  he 
has  made  constant  improvements  on  his  farm,  an  illustration  of 
which  is  shown  elsewhere.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Adams  have  been  the 
parents  of  seven  children.  The  oldest  daughter,  Phoebe,  is  the  wife 
of  C.  C.  Cromwell,  of  Springfield  ; Emma  married  William  Gill,  a 
merchant  of  Jacksonville ; Annie  is  the  wife  of  P.  C.  Sloan,  of 
Tuscola,  the  circuit  clerk  of  Douglas  county;  Lizzie  married  B.  F. 
Conner.  The  next  daughter,  Jessie  F.,  died  on  the  25th  of  De- 
cember, 1878,  at  the  age  of  twenty-two;  Joseph  H.,  the  oldest  son, 
died  on  the  2d  of  January,  1875,  from  an  accident  occasioned  by 
the  discharge  of  a gun,  while  he  was  hunting.  He  was  a young 
man  of  brilliant  promise,  and  was  preparing  for  a collegiate  course 
at  the  time  of  his  death.  Maud  is  the  youngest  child. 

Mr.  Adams  is  known  as  a man  of  good  business  caj>acity  and 
strict  integrity.  Among  Mrs.  Adams’  characteristics  is  a praise- 
worthy energy  and  perseverance,  whieh  well  fits  her  to  be  the  head 
of  a household.  In  politics,  Mr.  Adams  was  first  a whig,  and  voted 
for  Harrison,  in  1840.  Before  the  war  of  the  rebellion,  he  became 
a republican,  and  in  1860  had  the  pleasure  of  casting  his  vote  for 
Abraham  Lincoln,  an  old  acquaintance  and  customer,  at  Spring- 
field. 


HATTFN  GASKINS. 

Among  the  pioneer  settlers  of  North  King  township,  Mr.  Hatten 
Gaskins  deserves  special  mention.  He  is  a native  of  Saline  county, 
in  this  state,  and  was  born  on  the  6th  of  May,  1835.  Wilson  Gaskins, 
the  father  of  the  subject  of  this  sketch,  was  born  in  Howard  county, 
Kentucky.  His  father,  grandfather  of  Hatten  Gaskins,  was  one  of 
the  pioneers  of  Kentucky.  Wilson  Gaskins  was  one  of  a family  of 
eleven  children,  and  removed  from  Kentucky  to  a wild  and  thinly 
settled  territory,  but  which  has  since  become  the  great  and  prosper- 
ous state  of  Illinois.  He  settled  in  what  was  Gallatin  county,  but 
afterwards  became  a partof  Saline  county,  in  about  the  year  1812. 
We  have  no  data  by  which  to  fix  the  exact  date,  but  as  nearly  as 
can  be  ascertained,  in  the  year  1818  he  was  married  to  Lydia 


Bracken.  Eleven  children  have  been  born  to  them,  six  boys  and 
five  girls,  nine  of  whom  still  survive,  and  of  these  seven  are  living 
in  this  state.  One  brother  is  now  living  in  Missouri,  and  one  is 
steamboating  on  the  Mississippi  river. 

Hatten  Gaskins  moved  from  Saline  to  Montgomery  county,  and 
from  Montgomery  to  Christian  county  in  the  spring  of  1861,  and 
bought  a farm  of  240  acres,  to  which  by  industry  and  good  manage- 
ment he  has  added  until  he  has  one  of  the  best  improved  farms  in 
Christian  county.  On  Christmas  day,  in  the  year  1857,  he  was 
married  to  Delia  Davis.  Her  father,  Moses  Davis,  was  a native  of 
Vermont.  He  descended  from  the  hardy  pioneers  of  New  England. 
Her  grandfather  was  a soldier  in  the  Revolutionary  war,  and  was 
with  Ethan  Allen,  in  the  capture  of  Ticonderoga.  He  had  the  con- 
tract to  furnish  poles  for  the  first  telegraph  line  in  the  United 
States.  He  came  west  and  died  in  1872. 

To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Gaskins  eight  children  have  been  born,  four  of 
whom  are  dead  and  the  others  are  living  at  home.  Like  all  pio- 
neer settlers  of  a new  country,  Mr.  Gaskins  had  poor  advantages 
for  obtaining  an  education.  He  built  the  first  school-house  in  King 
township,  in  1857,  and  thus  manifested  the  desire  that  the  rising 
generation  should  not  be  deprived  of  privileges  of  which  he  had  so 
much  felt  the  need. 

He  and  his  wife  have  been  members  of  the  M.  E.  church  for  a 
great  many  years,  uniting  with  the  society  when  they  held  meetings 
in  a log  school-house.  Now  the  services  are  held  in  a neat,  com- 
modious frame  building  in  the  northern  part  of  the  township. 

In  politics,  he  has  always  been  identified  with  the  democratic 
party,  but  has  not  been  so  closely  tied  that  he  could  not  vote  for  a 
good  man  of  any  party. 

Mr.  Gaskins  is  a good  example  of  what  a man  may  accomplish  by 
persevering  eftbrts.  He  and  his  good  wife  started  in  life  without 
any  capital  except  stout  hearts  and  a determination  to  succeed,  and 
they  have  accumulated  property  until  now  they  are  in  easy  cir- 
cumstances. Mr.  Gaskins  is  esteemed  and  respected  l)y  all  who 
know  him,  and  is  one  of  those  men  who  by  aiding  every  laudable 
enterprise,  is  a benefit  to  the  community  in  which  he  lives. 




MOSQUITO  TOMNSHIP. 


HIS  township  embraces  all  of  town  15,  Range  1 West, 
together  with  that  part  of  16-1  W.,  lying  between  the 
former  and  the  Sangamon  river.  It  is  bounded  on  the 
north  by  the  Sangamon  river,  east  by  Macon  county, 
south  by  Stonington,  west  by  Mt.  Auburn  township.  It  is  drained 
by  Mosquito  creek,  which  enters  the  township  on  section  13,  and  i 
runs  in  a north-westerly  direction  to  the  Sangamon  river.  In  the  i 
early  times  the  borders  of  this  stream  were  greatly  infected  with  | 
mosquitoes,  and  it  was  from  them  that  the  creek  derived  its  name.  ! 
Mosquito  township  originally  formed  a part  of  “ Mt.  Auburn  Pre- 
cinct,” and  remained  in  this  connection  for  many  years,  and  until 
the  adoption  of  township  organization  in  1866.  Among  the  early 
settlers  were  the  following ; some  of  whom  could  antedate  the  “ deep  ! 
snow.”  James  Saunders  came  in  1825;  Thomas  Russell,  John  j 
White,  Truman  White,  1832 ; Jacob  Wydick,  Elias  Copenbarker,  j 
came  in  1830 ; James  Fletcher,  1833 ; father  of  Griffin  T.  Fletcher, 


1833;  Martin  White,  A.  D.  Northcutt,  W.  H.  Masterson,  1835; 
John  G.  Fletcher,  in  1830;  R.  B.  Osborn,  in  1830;  and  Berry 
Rose.  Most  of  these  settled  in  the  neighborhood  of  Mosquito  creek. 
Jas.  T.  and  Wm.  Armstrong,  came  in  1841.  James  Saunders,  the 
old  pioneer  backwoodsman,  was  among  the  first  settlers  of  this  town- 
ship. He  was  noted  as  being  a great  deer  hunter,  and  a man  of 
strong  character.  Mosquito  was  also  noted  as  the  early  home  of 
“ poor  Martin  White,”  of  Kansas  fame.  His  farm  is  now  owned  by 
Moses  Stafford.  He  was  a Predestinarian  Baptist  preacher,  and 
was  a strong  believer  in  the  doctrine  that  a man  will  not  die  till 
his  time  comes.  He  was  a correct  type  of  the  backwoods  ])reacher, 
and  when  preaching  in  warm  weather,  would  lay  off  his  coat,  open 
his  shirt  collar,  turn  up  his  sleeves,  and  fairly  make  the  woods  ring 
with  his  stentorian  voice.  Martin  White  was  the  first  representa- 
tive from  this  county  in  the  legislature,  in  1840.  He  seems  to  have 
attained  to  some  notoriety.  The  following  “ card  ” of  Mr.  White, 


254 


HISTORY  OF  CHRISTIAN  COUNTY,  ILLINOIS. 


appeared  in  the  Springfield  “Journal,”  of  February  19th,  1841.  It 
says,  “ We  cheerfully  insert  the  communication  of  Mr.  White,  Kep- 
resentative  from  Christian  county,  in  answer  to  some  remarks  re- 
specting his  official  conduct,  in  the  last  issue  of  the  paper.  We 
most  certainly  excuse  his  bad  grammar  and  spelling.  We  have  no 
longer  any  cause  to  wonder  that  he  should  refuse  to  obey  his  con- 
stituents ; he  is  certainly  just  such  a man  as  we  should  naturally 
expect  would  treat  his  constituents  with  “ ‘contempt.’  ” 

REPRESENTATIVE  WUIITE’S  LETTER. 

“Springfield,  Feb.  13f/i,  1841. 

“To  the  Editor  of  the  Sangamon  Journal. 

Sir; — I se  A Card  in  your  paper  the  11  of  Febuary  : In  which 
it  had  sum  Direct  alusion  to  my  vote  on  the  judiciary,  ’iou  stated 
that  I was  Instructed  By  a majority  of  my  Constitants  to  vote 
Against  the  Judiciary  Bill,  and  that  I would  feel  the  Pangs  of  my 
Insulted  Constitants,  thare  was  a majority  of  names  on  the  detferent 
Petetions  ; But  tha  ware  mostly  whigs  and  i did  not  no  That  tha 
Put  thare  naims  to  the  Petitions  Purticular  those  from  Christian 
so  Far  I understand  that  a Curtail  Whig  who  Lives  in  Springfield 
went  to  Christian  Co.  with  the  Petition  to  get  my  Constitants  to  in- 
struct me  to  go  against  the  Bill  And  Buy  lying  he  got  Cum  of  my 
DimoCratiC  friends  to  sine  it.  But  I want  this  Springfield  Junto 
to  understand  that  tha  Cant  Cum  it  For  I wont  obey  the  Proscrip- 
shuu  of  this  Springfield  wig  Junto,  the  Plans  ware  all  made  out  in 
Springfield  without  My  Constitants  asking  for  it  And  then  the 
Black  lage  hoo  tuck  Thoas  Petitions  ware  a shaimed.  to  give  me  the 
Petitions.  I don’t  no  but  what  that  scoundral  forged  the  names 
that  was  on  the  Petition  that  he  CerCulated— now  I will  give  my 
reasons  for  not  obeying  the  InStruCtions,  the  reason  Is  the  Peti- 
tions ware  gotten  up  in  Springfield  and  unCaled  for  By  my  Con- 
stituants  and  a 'great  menny  of  them  had  not  herd  of  it  tel  the  Pe- 
tition ware  Presented  to  them  and  then  it  Avare  very  rougley  stated 
and  false  statements  maid  concerning  it 

Now  Mr  Editor  i think  those  silk  glove  and  Ruffell  shirt  dandys 
about  Springfield  Hoo  have  never  got  thare  bred  by  the  swet  of 
thare  Brow  will  begin  to  find  that  Tha  Cant.  Cum  it  over  the  labor- 
ing Class  of  Cornmnity 

“ A word  to  you  Mr  Editor — now  Sir  I think  you  will  find  a iiufl' 
to  doe  if  you  will  tend  to  your  own  bisness.  And  keep  your  own 
house  swept  and  garnished  ‘ First  take  the  Beetn  out  of  thine  own 
eye  and  then  you  can  ce  to  take  the  mote  out  of  Thy  brothers  eye 
I will  Conclude  for  the  i)re.scnt  by  saiing  to  you  if  you  I’our  out 
enny  more  of  your  slang  About  me  1 will  expose  The  Conduct  of 
your  Whig  clan  excuse  my  grammar  and  bad  spellin  as  I am  a 
hoam  spun  farmer  and  have  but  Little  Education,  and  have  some- 
thing Else  to  do  besides  lisning  to  the  slang  of  your  blue  light 
federal  I’aper.  M-  White  ” 

In  reference  to  the  above  The  llei/lsler  of  leb.  19th,  1841,  says 
“ Kep.  White  had  not  been  instructed  by  a majority  of  his  constitu- 
ents ; and  as  to  whig  instructions,  .said  Mr.  AVhite,  ‘ They  need 
not  semi  such  documents  to  me.  Previous  to  the  Aug.  Election, said 
Mr.  White,  these  same  Federal  Gentry  tried  to  itixfruct  me  to  .stay 
at  homo,  but  they  couldn’t  come  it  then,  and  they  can’t  come  it 
note.’  The  .Junto  of  Sjtringfiehl  tried  to  play  a trick  on  some  of 
the  constituants  of  Mr.  White,  about  some  local  matters,  promis- 
ing theiTi  a slice  off— of  Ohl  Sangamon,  if  they  would  instruct 
their  Representative,  but  the  trick  failed.” 

The  Cumberlaml  Presbyterian  church  had  an  organization  on 
Mosquito  at  an  early  tlay.  In  1838,  they  built  a C.  F.  church  on 
Berry  Rose’s  land.  Elder  Northeutt  says  he  a.ssi.stcd  in  its  building. 


It  was  a frame — every  stick  of  Avhich  Avas  heAved  or  shaved.  They 
made  out  to  raise  money  to  buy  nails,  and  glass  for  the  tAvo  small 
AvindoAvs.  It  burned  doAvn  about  twenty-five  years  ago. 

The  folloAving  amusing  anecdote  is  related  of  James  Saunders  and 
John  G.  Fletcher,  old  pioneer  citizens  of  Mosquito.  The  latter  was 
something  of  a bee-hunter,  and  on  one  occasion  having  cut  a large 
bee-tree,  converted  it  into  a “gum,  ” covered  itAvith  a split  slab  and 
left  it  for  a more  convenient  time.  Uncle  Jimmy  Saunders,  as  he  was 
ahv.ays  familiarly  knoAvn  in  the  settlement,  as  it  happened,  had  just 
killed  three  deer,  and  finding  the  “gum,”  not  seeing  the  honey^ 
filled  it  up  Avith  deer  talloAV,  thus  to  keep  it  from  the  ravens,  which 
Avere  plenty — and  someAvhat  larger  than  a croAV — since  extinct  in 
this  region.  Fletcher  returning  first  could  not  understand  hoAV 
anybody  could  rob  him  of  his  honey,  and  leave  talloAV  in  exchange, 
the  latter  being  much  more  Amluable. 

Berry  Rose,  whom  all  the  old  settlers  Avill  remember,  lived  furth- 
er up  the  creek.  Fie  Avas  fond  of  telling  yarns  about  the  “ var- 
ments of  Mosquito.”  He  related  one  that  Avolves  Avere  very  numer- 
ous and  very  troublesome.  One  by  one  they  Avould  steal  aAvay  his 
geese,  pigs  and  sheep,  and  one  night  he  Avas  aAvakened  from  a profound 
sleep  by  a noise  in  the  yard  ; and  on  looking  out,  found  one  of  his 
sheep  running  around  his  cabin  Avith  a Avolf  after  it,  and  the  dog 
after  the  Avolf. 

Zimri  Augur  opened  the  first  farm  on  the  south  side  of  Mosquito, 
betAveen  Mt.  Auburn  and  the  Macon  county  line.  He  settled  on 
his  place  November,  1839;  emigrated  from  Connecticut.  His  farm 
lay  one  mile  cast  from  Mt.  Auburn,  noAV  occupied  by  his  son  An- 
(IreAv  L.  Augur.  This  old  resident  died  in  1870,  at  the  ripe  age  of 
78  years. 

On  the  adoption  of  toAvnship  organization  in  18G6,  “Mosquito” 
Avas  formed  into  a justice’s  precinct,  and  the  place  of  voting  fixed  at 
Eagle  school-house,  on  the  lands  of  R.  B.  Osburn,  Avhere  lived  for- 
ty-five years  ago  the  veteran  pioneer.  Elder  Northeutt.  At  an  elec- 
tion held  April  3d,  1860,  James  DaAudson  Avas  elected  Super- 
visor, AndreAV  L.  Augur  and  Jonathan  A.  Sprague  Avere  elected 
Justices  of  the  Peace.  Mosquito  has  no  toAvus  or  villages  Avithin 
its  borders  excepting  a small  place  called  “ Randellsville,”  in  the 
south-east  corner  of  the  toAvnship.  It  formerly  contained  a Post-of- 
fice, a church,  school-house  and  several  dAvelling-houses.  Blue 
Mound  has  someAvhat  dAvarfed  its  future  prospects.  The  lauds  of 
this  toAvnship  Averc  originally  surveyed  in  the  summer  of  1821,  by 
William  V.  Rector,  and  the  same  year  toAvnship  IG — 1 W.  Avas  sur- 
veyed by  A.  L.  Langham.  Moscpiito,  at  the  Presidential  election, 
in  November,  187(i,  cast  a vote  of  358.  Tlie  first  board  of  school 
Trustees,  in  the  county  Avere  appointed  by  the  county  Court,  at 
their  second  term  or  meeting  on  the  tAventy-fourth  of  June,  1839, 
for  toAvn  15 — 1 W.  .Martin  Wliite,  John  G.  Fletcher  and  Griffin 
T.  FJetcher.  It  Avas  decided  at  the  same  term  of  the  court  that  the 
Trustees  sell  the  IGth  section,  and  the  money  thus  obtained,  to  be 
used  for  school  purposes. 

The  first  land  entries  in  this  toAvnship  as  taken  from  the  county 
rcct)rd.s,toAvnship  IG,  1 Avest,October  8, 1832,  Truman  White,N.  W.  i, 
N.  E.  V section  35,  40  acres;  John  White,  W.  1 N.  W.  1 section  35, 
80  acres;  NoA'embcr5,  1832,  Accabud  Stamphill,  S.  E.  i N.  W.  I 
section  28,  40  acres,  toAvnship  15 — 1 Avest,  November  IG,  1826,  Ja- 
cob F’letcher,  S.  i N.  W.  ! .section  4,  78.5G  acres;  November  6, 
1829,  MarlinWhite,  W.  i S.  W.  1 section  3,  80acrcs;  November 
IG,  1829,  James  Fletcher,  W.  i 8.  E.  1 section!,  80  acres. 

We  append  the  folloAving  list  of  toAvnshii)  officers. 

Suj)erci,‘ior.‘i. — James  Davidson,  elected  ISGti;  E.  H.  Hincline, 
18G7;  M.  Sfad’ord,  18G8;  John  \j.  Drennan,  I860,  re-elected 
1870  and  1871  ; AndrcAv  L.  Augur,  1872,  re-elected  1873  ; J.  L. 


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Views  ON  JheStock  Farm  OF  COL.  LEONARD  CRAW  FO  RD,  S£C.I5,T.i5,R.LW.  {Mosquito  Tr,  Christian  Co.,  Illinois. 


HISTORY  OF  CHRISTIAN  COUNTY,  ILLINOIS. 


255 


Drennan,  1874,  re-elected  1875, 1876  and  1877  ; K.  A.  Gray,  1878; 
Robert  Gray,  1879 ; R.  A.  Gray,  1880. 

Assessors. — Elias  Bramel  elected  1866,  J.  A.  Henderson  appoint- 
ed ; J.  A.  Henderson,  J.  L.  Drennan,  Richard  Coliver,  John  Scott, 
George  McQuality,  Oliver  White,  1876  ; H.  T.  Davidson,  1877, 
re-elected  1878,  1879  and  1880. 

Collectors. — B.  D.  Cross,  elected  1866  ; Henry  C.  Crawford,  1867  ; 
Thomas  J.  Lanton,  1868,  re-elected  each  year  up  to  1875  ; J.  F. 
Ferguson,  1875  and  1876;  Jesse  Ryan,  1877,  1878  and  1879; 
Robert  Elder,  1880. 

Town  Clerks. — E.  J.  Davidson,  David  Clements,  Joseph  Roberts, 


John  Hughes,  E.  M.  Burns,  W.  T.  Watts,  J.  F.  Ferguson,  Louis 
Clark,  1876,  and  re-elected  each  succeeding  year. 

Commissioners  of  Highways. — A.  J.  McVey,  Daniel  Daniels, 
William  Deeper,  George  Overmeir,  William  Morgan,  Hezekiah 
Davidson,  Francis  Stewart,  1876  ; Robert  Elder,  1877  ; J.  F.  Fer- 
guson, 1878  ; J.  L.  Drennan,  1879;  A.  W.  Smart,  1880. 

Constables. — William  Morgan,  now  serving;  J.  R.  Foster,  George 
Neeley  now  serving. 

Justices  of  the  Peace. — H.  L.  Hugur,  J.  A.  Sprague,  B.  D.  Cross, 
Ira  Ellis,  F.  M.  Sanders,  E.  M.  Burns,  Samuel  Betz  and  Jewillis 
Wood  elected  in  1877  and  now  serving. 


BIOGRAPPIICAL  SKETCHES. 


Col.  LEONARD  CRAWFORD. 

Col.  Crawford  was  born  in  Westchester  county.  New  York,  on 
the  first  day  of  January,  1805.  On  his  father’s  side  his  ancestors 
were  Scotch  and  on  his  mother’s  Welsh.  His  father,  Caleb  Craw- 
ford, was  also  a native  of  Westchester  county,  and  served  for  a short 
time  against  the  British  in  the  war  of  1812.  His  mother’s  maiden 
name  was  Phoebe  Kniffin.  In  the  year  1813,  the  family  moved 
from  Westchester  county.  New  York,  to  Cincinnati,  Ohio.  Col. 
Crawford  remembers  New  York  city,  as  he  j)assed  through  it  on  his 
way  West,  then  a hoy  eight  years  of  age,  as  a town  of  about  forty 
thousand  inhabitants,  confined  to  the  extreme  lower  point  of  Man- 
hattan Island.  All  that  constitutes  a great  part  of  the  present  me- 
tropolis was  then  a country  district  where  property  now  worth 
millions  could  be  obtained  on  cheap  terms.  Few  people  expected 
the  city  to  reach  its  present  remarkable  growth.  An  emigrant 
wagon  conveyed  the  family  across  the  Allegheny  mountains  to 
Pittsburg,  from  which  place  they  floated  down  the  Ohio  to  Cincin- 
nati in  one  of  the  broad-bottomed  “ Broad-Horns,”  then  used  for 
transportation  on  western  rivers. 

Cincinnati  was  then  on  the  extreme  frontier,  and  a town  of  less 
than  nine  thousand  inhabitants.  His  father  was  one  of  the  first  men 
to  engage  in  the  pork-packing  business  in  that  city.  For  a couple 
of  years  he  carried  it  on  quite  extensively.  But  he  was  a farmer  by 
occupation,  and  had  a strong  inclination  for  agricultural  pursuits. 
The  lands  of  the  Wabash  valley  in  Indiana,  known  as  Harrison’s 
Purchase,  were  about  that  time  offered  for  sale.  His  father  was  one 
of  a company  which  purchased  from  the  government  the  plat  on 
which  the  city  of  Terre  Haute  now  stands,  and  immediately  set  out 
by  keel  boat  down  the  Ohio  and  up  the  Wabash  river  to  Fort  Harri- 
son, then  garrisoned  by  United  States  soldiers  as  a frontier  post. 
This  was  in  the  year  1816.  His  father’s  family  was  the  third  to 
settle  in  Vigo  county.  The  place  where  they  located  was  at  the 
head  of  Harrison  prairie,  five  miles  above  the  present  city  of  Terre 
Haute.  Fort  Harrison,  two  miles  and  a half  above  Terre  Haute, 
was  then  the  principal  military  post  for  the  Northwestern  Territoiy. 
Gen.  Harrison  was  in  command  and  freqnently  visited  the  post. 
Col.  Crawford’s  boyhood  was  principally  spent  among  the  Indians, 
with  whom  he  associated  on  terms  of  perfect  friendliness,  even  at 
times  when  a hostile  feeling  existed  between  the  tribes  and  the  gar- 
rison of  the  fort.  The  Kickapoos,  Miamis,  Delawares  and  Pottawat- 
omies,  then  inhabited  that  locality.  On  one  occasion,  when  the 


settlers  were  all  gathered  together  at  Fort  Harrison,  expecting  an 
attack  from  the  Indians  with  whom  there  had  been  some  serious 
misunderstanding,  the  inmates  of  the  fort  were  reduced  to  great 
straits  by  reason  of  a lack  of  provisions.  Col.  Crawford,  then  a boy 
of  eleven  or  twelve,  was  sent  on  horseback  out  through  the  Indian 
camj)  and  brought  back  to  the  fort  the  herd  of  cattle  on  which  the 
inmates  relied  for  food.  No  schools  had  of  course  been  established 
in  Indiana  at  that  time.  His  parents  were,  however,  persons  of 
good  information,  and  the  Col.  learned  the  rudiments  of  a good 
English  education  at  home.  But  his  boyhood  and  youth  was  prin- 
cipally spent  amid  the  wild  free  scenes  which  marked  life  on  the 
frontier,  roaming  through  Indian  camps,  hunting,  fishing,  and  en- 
joying to  the  utmost  the  unrestrained  liberty  of  life  in  the  wilderness 
and  on  the  prairie.  His  father’s  investments  in  the  Wabash  lands 
proved  unremunerative  and  unfortunate.  He  was  unable  to  meet 
the  successive  payments,  and  finally  lost  almost  the  entire  tract  he 
had  originally  purchased.  It  has,  of  course,  since  become  of  great 
value. 

As  he  grew  older  Col.  Crawford  went  to  farming  for  himself.  He' 
raised  one  large  cro^)  of  corn  which  he  sold  for  six  cents  a bushel. 
The  Wabash  valley  between  Vincennes  and  Terre  Haute  had  by 
that  time  become  quite  well  settled.  The  farmers  were  accustomed 
to  ship  their  produce  in  flat  boats  down  the  Ohio  and  Mississip2>i, 
and  dispose  of  it  in  New  Orleans. 

About  the  year  1823,  when  he  was  eighteen,  there  came  to  Terre 
Haute  a Zoological  exhibition  under  the  control  of  Harvey  Bailey, 
a son  of  the  well-known  Hackaliah  Bailey,  who  exhibited  the  first 
elephant  ever  brought  to  the  United  States,  and  from  it  made  a 
large  fortune.  Hackaliah  Bailey  had  been  raised  on  an  adjoining 
farm  to  the  Crawfords,  in  Westchester  county,  New  York,  and  the 
two  families  had  consequently  been  on  terms  of  some  intimacy. 
Col.  Crawford  was  induced  to  accompany  the  exhibition,  and  he 
thus  began  a career  which  he  followed  for  several  years,  and  which 
was  the  occasion  of  his  visiting  all  the  inhabited  parts  of  the  United 
States,  and  of  his  exjieriencing  numerous  adventures.  He  proved 
an  apt  man  at  the  business,  and  in  a few  years  was  made  manager 
of  an  exhibition.  For  a great  part  of  the  time  he  had  charge  of 
the  advertising.  With  tlie  AVashburns  and  Spencer  Gregory,  of 
New  York,  he  w'as  a stockholder  in  a Zoological  and  Ornithological 
association,  which  at  the  time  of  its  organization  was  the  most  com- 
i plete  in  the  whole  country.  These  exhibitions  traveled  largely 


256 


HISTORY  OF  CHRISTIAN  COUNTY,  ILLINOIS. 


through  the  West  and  South,  and  Col.  Crawford  became  familiar 
with  almost  every  town  and  village  of  importance  in  the  whole 
country  His  winters  were  spent  principally  in  the  southern  cities. 
He  was  at  Charleston  during  the  winter  of  1832-3,  at  the  time  of 
the  famous  nullification  excitement.  South  Carolina  was  in  a fever 
heat,  and  a conflict  between  the  Federal  and  State  authorities  in 
Charleston  Harbor  was  momentarily  expected.  His  travels  and 
associations  also  made  him  familiar  with  many  occurrences  and  in- 
cidents between  public  men,  which  have  since  become  matters  of 
public  history.  Like  most  men  in  his  position  he  spent  his  money 
freely.  Although  in  the  receipt  of  a liberal  income  he  saved  com- 
paratively little  from  his  many  years  of  service  in  this  field. 

In  the  year  1838  he  returned  to  Indiana.  In  1839  he  married 
Miss  Corrina  Ann  Durkee,  a native  of  Vigo  county,  Indiana,  and 
daughter  of  Dr.  John  Durkee,  one  of  the  early  settlers  of  Vigo 
county,  and  a physician  who,  in  those  early  days,  practiced  exten- 
sivelv  through  the  whole  settled  part  of  the  Wabash  valley.  After 
his  marriage  he  settled  on  a farm  three  miles  from  Terre  Haute. 
His  wife  died  in  January,  1845. 

After  the  discovery  of  gold  in  California,  Col.  Crawford  was  among 
the  first  to  make  his  way  across  the  Plains  to  the  Pacific  Coast. 
After  traversing  in  safety  the  vast  region  intervening  between  the 
Missouri  river  and  the  Rocky  Mountains,  then  regarded  as  an  arid 
and  inhospitable  desert,  which  would  always  remain  incapable  of 
cultivation,  he  was  seized  with  a severe  fever  at  Summit  Spring  near 
the  Summit  of  the  Rocky  Mountains.  He  happily  recovered.  He 
lay  at  Salt  Lake  City  three  weeks  regaining  his  strength.  On  reach- 
ing the  gold  regions  he  undertook  washing  gold  on  the  Rio  de  Las  Cos 
Manos.  He  followed  washing  gold  about  a year  and  found  it  profit- 
able. The  winter  of  1850-1,  he  visited  Oregon,  ascending  the  coast 
as  far  as  Astoria  and  the  straits  of  Juan  de  Fuqua.  He  returned 
from  California  by  way  of  the  Isthmus  of  Panama,  visiting  various 
portions  of  Central  and  South  America  and  the  West  India  Islands, 
and  stopping  at  Havana,  Cuba,  and  in  the  city  of  New  Orleans.  On 
the  fifteenth  of  October,  1851,  he  married  Mary  W.  Kidder,  who 
was  born  at  Searsport,  in  Hancock  county,  Maine,  on  the  twelfth  of 
August,  1815.  Her  father,  Nathaniel  Kidder,  Avas  for  a number  of 
years  a merchant  in  Poston,  and  removed  to  Oxford,  Ohio,  in  the 
year  1829.  Mrs.  Crawford  came  to  Terre  Haute  in  1850,  where  she 
made  the  accjuaintance  of  her  husband.  Her  grandfather,  Nathaniel 
Kidder,  was  an  Orthodox  minister,  who  j)rcachcd  at  Nashua,  New 
Hampshire, for  a long  nurnberof  years,and  died  there  at  an  advanced 
age.  Her  mother,  Salla  Atherton,  was  the  daughter  of  Dr.  Israel 
Atherton,  an  old  practitioner  of  medicine  at  Lancaster,  Massachu- 
setts. 

In  August,  1851,  Col.  Crawford  purchased  from  John  Gregg,  of 
Philadelphia,  about  a thou.sand  acres  of  land  on  Mo.squito  Creek,  in 
the  northern  part  of  this  county.  He  settled  on  this  tract  where  he 
ha.s  since  lived.  Few  im[)rovements  had  then  been  made  in  that 
[>art  of  the  county.  His  farm,  which  has  been  reduced  by  gifts  to 
his  children  to  five  hundred  acres,  has  of  recent  years  been  chiefly 
devoted  to  grazing  purpo.ses.  Con.scquently,  Col.  Crawford  leads  a 
life  of  comparative  ease,  and  as  free  as  possible  from  the  ordinary 
cares  incident  to  the  carrying  on  of  a large  farm.  His  two  children, 
David  !■'.  and  Henry  C.  (Vawford,  are  married  and  .settled  on  farms 
near  their  father.  David  F.  served  in  the  I'nion  army  during  the 
war  of  the  rebellion,  a mendter  of  the  Twenty-first  Illinois — Gen. 
Grant’s  original  regiment.  He  was  in  numerous  battles,  and  was 
severely  woundc<l  at  Stone  Kiver.  He  won  for  himself  a record  as 
a good  soldier.  'I’he  last  .seven  months  of  his  service  were  spent  as 
a pri.soner  at  Andcrsonville  and  other  ports  of  Georgia,  where  he  had 
ample  opportunity  to  experience  tlie  hardships  and  privations  of 


life  in  the  Southern  prison  pens,  which  will  be  remembered  in  sub- 
seejuent  history  for  their  unparalleled  barbarities.  Col.  Crawford 
and  his  wife  also  have  an  adopted  daughter,  Mary  Bell  Maxwell, 
who  has  lived  with  them  since  she  was  t\yo  weeks  old.  Her  father, 
James  Maxwell,  died  in  the  army  during  the  war. 

In  early  life  Col.  Crawford  was  a Whig.  On  the  agitation  of  the 
question  of  slavery  and  its  proposed  extension  into  the  territories, 
his  natural  sympathies  made  him  a free  soil  man.  He  has  been  a 
member  of  the  Kejjublican  party  from  its  organization.  He  is  a, 
well-known  resident  of  this  county.  His  extensive  travels  have 
brought  him  in  contact  with  many  men  of  note.  Among  his  rem- 
iniscences are  treasured  up  many  incidents  relating  to  public  men, 
who  were  in  active  life  during  his  early  manhood,  and  who  have 
since  been  given  their  appropriate  places  on  the  roll  of  their  coun- 
try’s history.  As  a child  he  was  of  weakly  growth,  and  gave  little 
promise  of  a hardy  constitution  or  a long  life.  By  active  exercise 
in  his  boyhood,  he  acquired  a vigorous  constitution,  and  few  men 
could  have  stood  so  successfully  the  toils  and  travels  which  he  has 
undergone.  As  a pioneer  in  the  great  West  he  was  among  the 
earliest.  It  is  sixty-four  years  since  his  feet  first  trod  the  soil  of 
Illinois — then  a wild  and  uninhabited  territory.  He  often  made 
the  journey  from  Terre  Haute  to  Springfield  when  not  a single  set- 
tlement varied  the  monotony  of  the  journey.  Though  a man  who 
has  traveled  much  by  sea  and  land  he  is  a farmer,  and  is  well  sat- 
isfied with  his  home  and  its  surroundings,  believing  that  all  things 
considered,  he  lives  in  one  of  the  most  favored  portions  of  his 
adopted  state. 


JOHN  L.  DRENNAN. 

This  gentleman,  who  has  resided  in  Mosquito  township  since 
1856,  is  a native  of  Kentucky,  and  was  born  in  Caldwell  county,  in 
that  state,  Nov.  14,  1826.  His  grandfather,  John  Drennan,  was  a 
resident  of  South  Carolina  at  the  time  of  the  revolutionary  war, 
and  served  in  the  American  army  during  the  latter  part  of  that 
war.  He  moved  from  South  Carolina  to  Kentucky  about  the  year 
1802,  and  settled  in  Caldwell  (then  Livingston)  county,  and  was 
one  of  the  pioneer  settlers  of  that  part  of  the  state.  He  located 
there  when  it  was  almost  a wilderness,  and  still  inhabited  by  the  In- 
dians. His  father,  Eli  Drennan,  was  born  in  South  Carolina  in  the 
year  1800,  and,  consequently,  was  only  about  two  years  of  age  when 
the  family  removed  into  Kentucky.  He  was  raised  in  Caldwell 
county,  and,  upon  reaching  manhood’s  estate,  married  Margaret  Mc- 
Dowell, who  Avas  also  a native  of  CaldAvell  county,  and  Avho  was 
descended  from  an  Irish  family  Avhich  had  settled  some  years  be- 
fore in  South  Carolina,  and  moved  from  there  to  Kentucky  at  an 
early  date. 

John  L.  Drennan,  the  subject  of  our  sketch,  was  the  oldest  of 
nine  children  born  to  Eli  and  Margaret  Drennan.  He  Avas  raised 
in  Caldwell  county,  Ky. 

The  schools  of  that  part  of  the  state,  in  his  early  youth,  offered 
only  moderate  advantages  for  obtaining  an  education,  in  addition 
to  Avhich  he  Avas  obliged  to  remain  at  home  to  assist  in  the  Avork 
upon  the  farm.  The  result  Avas,  he  only  attended  school  about  three 
months  altogether,  and  for  Avhat  education  he  receiA'ed,  he  Avas 
indebted  entirely  to  his  oavu  efforts. 

He  lived  at  home  until  he  Avas  tAventy-one  years  of  age,  and  then 
fairly  started  in  life  on  his  own  account.  Continuing  the  same 
line  of  busine.ss,  he  began  farming  for  himself  in  Caldwell  county. 

Upon  the  13th  of  March,  1850,  he  married  Henrietta  Wimber- 
Icy,  one  of  twelve  children,  Avho  had  been  born  in  Trigg,  but  Avas 
residing  in  t^aldwell  county,  Kentucky.  Her  ancestors  had  come 


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HISTORY  OF  CHRISTIAN  COUNTY,  ILLINOIS. 


257 


from  North  Carolina  to  Kentucky  at  an  early  date.  John  L. 
Drennan  lived  in  Kentucky  until  1856. 

The  Drennan  family  were  early  settlers  in  Illinoi.s,  William 
and  Joseph  Drennan,  uncles  to  his  father,  having  settled  in  San- 
gamon county,  this  state,  at  a very  early  period  ; and  were  among 
the  first  pioneer  settlers,  it  being  said  that  they  planted  the  first 
corn  ever  grown  in  Sangamon  county.  Mr.  Drennan’s  father  came 
to  Illinois  about  1820-21  ; remained  two  years  in  Sangamon  county, 
and  helped  build  the  first  house  in  Springfield.  lie  was  not  favor- 
ably impressed  with  the  country,  however,  and  returned  to  Ken- 
tucky in  the  fall  of  1856.  John  L.  Drennan  moved  with  his  fam- 
ily to  Illinois,  and  settled  in  Christian  county,  near  Mt.  Auburn. 
Since  1864  he  has  been  living  upon  his  present  farm,  in  sec.  22,  T. 
15  R.  1 W.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Drennan  have  fourteen  children,  all  liv- 
ing, viz. : Alfred  M.,  Franklin  P.,  John  G.,  Adelia  J.  (now  wife  of 
John  F.  Cole),  Laura  E.,  Margaret  Emily  (who  married  Clayton 
Clemens),  Henry  E , George  R.,  Henrietta  Adel,  Cora  A.,  James 
L.,  Thomas  M.,  Oscar  W.  and  Charlotte  O.  Two  of  his  sons  reside, 
at  Taylorville.  Franklin  P.  has  been  connected  with  the  offices  of 
the  county,  and  Circuit  Clerk  for  the  past  four  years,  and  John  G., 
who  is  now  a candidate  for  the  position  of  State’s  Attorney,  having 
received  the  nomination  from  the  democratic  party  by  a large  ma- 
jority, and  there  is  but  little  doubt  that  he  will  be  elected. 

In  his  politics  Mr.  Drennan  has  been  a member  of  the  democratic 
party  all  his  life.  His  first  vote  for  president  was  cast  for  Lewis 
Ca.ss,  in  1848,  and  he  has  voted  for  every  democratic  candidate  for 
president  since,  with  the  exception  of  James  Buchanan,  in  1856, 
when  he  lost  his  vote  by  reason  of  his  removal  to  this  state  at  that 
time. 

He  has  been  one  of  the  representative  democrats  of  Mosquito 
township.  In  1872  the  democrats  of  Christian  county  made  him 
their  nominee  for  County  Treasurer 

Mr.  Drennan  is  a man  who  has  commanded  the  confidence  and 
respect  of  the  people,  and  has  filled  several  positions  with  credit  to 
himself,  and  to  the  satisfaction  of  the  people  of  the  township  in 
which  he  resides  He  was  assessor  of  Mosquito  townshi])  for  two 
years — during  1866  and  1867.  He  was  elected  a member  of  the 
board  of  supervisors  in  1868,  and  served  four  consecutive  years. 
He  was  again  elected  to  this  position  in  1874,  and  again  repi’e- 
sented  his  township  on  the  Board  for  five  successive,  years.  He 
has  also  filled  a number  of  minor  offices  in  the  towmship,  such  as 
school  trustee  and  commisioner  of  highways.  He  was  one  of  the 
first  to  settle  out  on  the  prairie,  in  the  south-west  part  of  Mosquito 
township,  and  since  his  location  there,  has  witnessed  a vast  amount 
of  improvement  around  him. 


ELIAS  BRAMEL. 

This  gentleman,  one  of  the  early  settlers  on  the  Mosquito 
prairie,  is  a Kentuckian  by  birth.  The  family  from  which  he  de- 
scended is  of  English  extraction.  His  grandfather,  Jonathan 
Bramel,  was  horn  in  England,  and  on  his  emigration  to  America 
settled  in  Maryland.  His  father,  Elisha  Bramel,  was  born  in 
Maryland,  and  when  a young  man  w'ent  to  Kentucky  and  settled 
in  that  state.  This  was  about  the  year  1812.  About  1815,  he  mar- 
ried in  Mason  county,  Kentucky,  Rebecca  Moran,  wdio  was  also 
born  in  Maryland,  the  Moran  and  Bramel  families  having  emi- 
grated from  Maryland  to  Kentucky  together,  and  settled  in  Mason 
county.  Mr.  Bramel’s  birth  occurred  in  Mason  county,  March  17, 
1820.  He  was  the  third  in  a family  of  eight  children.  When 
about  seven  years  old  his  father  moved  to  Harrison  county.  The 
part  of  Kentucky  in  which  his  father  lived  was  thinly  settled,  and 
33 


the  neighbors  few  and  far  between.  In  consequence  the  children 
were  afforded  very  poor  advantages  in  the  way  of  obtaining  an  edu- 
cation. When  he  was  a boy  there  was  no  school  within  a reasona- 
ble distance  at  which  he  could  attend.  The  only  schooling  he 
received  was  for  about  two  months  after  he  became  of  age.  Mr. 
Bramel  lived  at  home  until  he  was  twenty-one,  and  then  turned 
out  in  the  world  on  his  own  account.  He  went  to  Paris,  in  Bourbon 
county,  and  learned  the  business  of  a stone  mason,  and  afterward 
the  trade  of  a stone  cutter.  He  worked  at  his  trade  for  fifteen  or 
sixteen  years,  and  at  it  saved  enough  money  to  buy  a farm  of  two 
hundred  acres,  in  Harrison  county,  in  the  year  1843,  and  on  which 
he  moved,  but  still  carried  on  his  trade,  obtaining  other  help  to 
cai-ry  on  the  farming. 

His  first  marriage  occurred  November  3,  1844,  to  Eliza  Ash- 
craft, of  Harrison  county,  Kentucky.  Her  death  took  place  Jan. 
18th,  1849.  He  was  married  again  August  12,  1851,  to  Dorinda 
Dodson,  who  was  born  and  raised  in  Harrison  county,  Kentucky. 
In  1852,  Mr.  Bramel  removed  to  Illinois,  and  purchased  eighty 
acres  of  raw  prairie  laud,  in  section  34,  town.  19,  range  1 west,  and 
twenty  acres  of  timber.  Mr.  Bramel  began  farming  on  this  tract, 
and  ha.s  been  farming  in  that  part  of  Christian  county  ever  since. 
He  now  owns  three  hundred  acres  of  land  in  sections  34  and  35,  and 
is  known  as  one  of  the  substantial  farmers  of  Mosquito  township. 
Mr.  Bramel  was  among  the  fir.st  to  locate  on  the  Mosquito  prairie, 
on  which  there  were  only  one  or  two  houses  on  his  coming  to  the 
county.  Herds  of  deer  were  a common  sight  on  the  prairie,  and 
the  country  gave  little  promise  of  developing  into  the  rich  agricul- 
tural country  which  it  has  since  become.  Mr.  Bramel  has  ten 
children  living:  Columbus,  now  living  in  La  Bette  county,  Kansas, 
Lucinda,  wife  of  Lysauder  Whaley,  of  Mosquito  township,  Sallie 
A.,  who  married  Adam  Whiteside,  of  Macon  county,  Benjamin, 
Oscar,  now  farming  in  Mosquito  township,  Robert,  Thomas,  Ira, 
Richard  and  John  Wilmer. 

In  his  i)olitics,  Mr.  Bramel  started  out  in  life  as  a believer  in  the 
old  Jackson  democracy,  to  whose  principles  he  believes  that  he  has 
adhered  pretty  closely  all  through  his  life.  His  first  vote  for 
president  was  cast  for  Van  Buren,  in  1840,  and  he  has  voted  for 
every  democratic  candidate  for  president  from  that  time  until  now. 
Both  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Bramel  are  members  of  the  Christian  church. 
Mr.  Bramel  is  a man  who  has  been  respected  for  his  many  good 
qualities  as  a citizen  and  a useful  member  of  the  community.  As  a 
man  he  is  self-made.  He  began  life  with  nothing  on  which  to  rely 
except  his  own  energy,  and  from  a young  man  beginning  life  with- 
out a dollar,  has  risen  to  a position  of  comparative  independence, 
and  takes  rank  with  the  prominent  farmers  of  Christian  county. 


WILLIAM  ARMSTRONG. 

This  gentleman,  one  of  the  old  residents  of  this  ]>art  of  the 
state,  is  a native  of  North  Carolina,  and  was  born  in  Orange  county, 
of  that  state.  May  1,  1806.  The  family  from  which  he  is  descended 
is  of  Irish  descent. 

His  great-grandfather  was  born  in  Ireland,  came  to  America, 
and  settled  in  North  Carolina,  while  it  was  yet  a colony  of  Great 
Britain.  His  grandfather,  William  Armstrong,  was  born  in  North 
Carolina,  about  the  year  1736.  He  served  in  the  Continental  army 
during  the  whole  of  the  Revolutionary  war,  and  participated  in 
several  battles,  being  twice  taken  prisoner  by  the  British.  His 
father,  James  Armstrong,  was  born  in  North  Carolina,  was  raised 
in  that  state,  and  married  Mary  Allen,  who  was  also  a native  of 
Orange  county,  N.  C.,  and  came  from  a family  of  English  descent. 

Mr.  Armstrong’s  grandfather,  George  Allen  Armstrong,  moved 


258 


HISTORY  OF  CHRISTIAN  COUNTY,  ILLINOIS. 


from  North  Car<*lina  to  Tennessee,  at  an  early  date,  and  settled  on 
the  site  of  Nashville,  where  there  was  only  a fort  to  mark  the  spot 
where  now  stands  the  capital  of  the  state.  He  married  Jennie 
Lapslie.  His  son,  Wm.  Armstrong,  uncle  of  the  subject  of  this 
sketch,  accompanied  him  to  Tennessee,  and  was  accustomed  to  say 
that  he  buried  nearly  thirty  men,  who  had  been  picked  off  by  the 
Indians,  within  a short  distance  of  this  Nashville  fort.  Mr.  Arm- 
strong’s father  also  accompanied  him  to  Tennessee,  but  afterwards 
returned  to  North  Carolina. 

The  first  six  years  of  Mr.  Armstrong’s  life  were  spent  among  the 
sterile  hills  and  flint  rocks  of  his  native  county.  In  1812,  his 
father  moved  with  the  family  to  Tennessee,  and  settled  in  Williams 
county,  20  miles  from  Nashville.  It  was  here  that  Mr.  Armstrong 
grew  to  manhood.  His  father  being  a man  in  good  circumstances, 
Wm.  Armstrong  obtained  all  the  education  offered  by  the  schools 
of  that  country.  He  was  married  there  to  Martha  Oldham,  a na- 
tive of  Virginia.  Mr.  Armstrong  first  visited  Illinois  in  1836,  and 
being  determined  to  settle  in  this  state,  he  entered  land  in  what  is 
now  Logan  county,  and  in  1837,  brought  his  family  to  Illinois,  and 
settled  in  Sangamon  county,  near  the  town  of  Mechanicsburg,  and 
continued  to  live  there  until  1865,  and  then  moved  to  his  present 
farm  in  Christian  county.  His  first  wife  died,  January,  1836,  be- 
fore his  removal  to  Illinois.  His  second  marriage  occurred  June 
15,  1837,  to  Statira  Fickland,  a native  of  Montgomery  county, 
Kentucky ; his  marriage  took  place  in  Sangamon  county.  The 
farm  on  which  Mr.  Armstrong  now  resides,  was  improved  by  his 
son,  Leander  Armstrong,  now  dead,  and  w^as  one  of  the  earliest 
improved  farms  upon  the  prairie  in  the  south-west  part  of  Mosquito 
township.  Mr.  Armstrong  has  had  ten  children,  of  whom  six  are 
now  living,  namely,  Mary  E.,  John  A.,  James  L,  Ann  M.,  married 
to  D.  W.  Housley  of  Grove  City,  Wm.,  David  C.  His  oldest 
daughter  is  living  in  Jasper  county,  Missouri,  the  wife  of  John  H. 
Spurgin,  and  all  the  other  children  are  living  in  Christian  county. 
Three  children  of  Mr.  Armstrong’s  died  in  Christian  county,  alj 
grown,  viz:  Leander,  April  14, 1866,  George  White,  Nov.  26,  1868^ 
Emma,  Feb.  17,  1873,  Edwin  A.  having  died  in  infancy,  Jan.  4, 
1834.  Mr.  Armstrong  had  three  sons  serving  in  the  army  during 
the  war  of  the  Kcbellion  : John  A.,  James  I.,  and  Leander;  John 
A.  serving  in  the  3d  cavalry,  James  I.  in  the  73d,  and  Leander  in 
the  114th;  the  first  named  enlisted  in  1861,  and  .served  until  he  be- 
came incapable  of  active  duty  on  account  of  rheumatism.  James  I. 
and  Leander  served  from  1862  until  the  close  of  the  war.  Leander 
contracted  a disea.se  while  in  the  service,  from  which  he  died  as 
above  stated. 

Mr.  Armstrong  was  born  in  a slave-holding  country,  and  his 
father  was  a slave-owner  after  the  manner  of  the  country  in  which 
he  lived,  but  the  subject  of  our  sketch  at  an  early  age  became  im- 
prcs.scd  with  the  evils  of  the  systetn,  although  he  himself  owned 
slaves,  ami  as  soon  as  an  op|)ortunity  otiered  determined  to  move  to 
a free  state.  He  was  a whig  while  that  party  lasted,  and  voted  for 
its  candidates  always  in  opjKKsition  to  the  democratic  party.  His 
sentiments  on  the<|uestion  of  slavery,  led  him  to  attach  himself  to 
the  Ilepnblican  party  on  its  organization,  and  he  voted  for  Fremont 
in  1856.  lie  is  still  a republican,  and  was  a stanch  Fnion  man 
during  the  war. 

Mr.  Arrmstrong  is  a Tiian  who  is  much  respected  for  his  many 
good  (pialities  as  a citizen.  For  four  years  he  was  Associate  Judge 
of  the  County  Court,  in  Sangamon  county.  At  the  age  of  18,  in 
1824,  he  became  connected  with  the  Methodist  church,  of  which 
denomination  he  has  ever  since  been  a member. 

Mr.  Armstrong  owned  a section  and  a half  of  land  in  Mos(]uito 
C)wnship,  and  has  given  all  his  children  a good  start  in  life.  His 


four  sons  are  now  farming  in  this  township,  and  are  all  married. 
Three  of  them  are  living  upon  the  same  section  (30 j as  their  father. 


SAMUEL  BETZ. 

This  gentleman,  who  has  been  living  in  Mosquito  township  since 
November,  1867,  is  a native  of  Penirsylvania,  and  was  born  in 
Huntingdon  county  of  that  state,  March  29,  1831.  His  father  was 
John  Betz,  and  his  mother  Rebecca  Beyer.  The  subject  of  our 
sketch  was  the  oldest  of  seven  children.  When  a child  one  or  two 
years  of  age,  his  father  moved  with  the  family  to  Medina  county, 
Ohio,  where  he  lived  three  or  four  years  and  then  went  to  Summit 
county,  Ohio,  where  Esquire  Betz  was  princqially  raised.  The  part 
of  Ohio  in  Avhich  he  lived  had  good  schools,  which  he  attended 
pretty  regularly  when  a boy,  and  gained  a good  education.  After 
becoming  of  age  he  worked  by  the  month  for  a couple  of  years  in 
Summit  and  Cuyahoga  counties.  The  summer  of  1855  he  spent  in 
Wisconsin.  October  7,  1855,  he  was  married  to  Catharine  Weid- 
man,  who  was  born  and  raised  in  Summit  county,  Ohio,  where  his 
marriage  took  place.  In  the  spring  of  1856  he  went  to  Wisconsin, 
and  went  to  farming  for  himself  in  Sauk  county  of  that  state.  He 
lived  in  Wisconsin  seven  and  one  half  years.  His  father  died  in 
February,  1863.  And  his  five  younger  brothers  were  in  the  army 
at  the  time,  so  that  his  mother  wrote  to  him  to  come  back  to  Ohio 
and  take  care  of  the  old  homestead ; consequently  he  went  back  to 
Ohio  in  the  fall  of  1863,  and  lived  there  until  the  fall  of  1867,  when 
he  came  to  Christian  county  and  settled  in  Mosquito  township, 
where  he  has  since  been  engaged  in  farming.  He  learned  the  car- 
penter’s trade  in  Ohio,  and  has  followed  that  to  some  extent  here. 
He  has  had  nine  children,  of  whom  all  but  one  are  living.  Their 
names  are  Clara  Emma,  wife  of  John  A.  Delamar ; Charlotte 
Rebecca,  William  Arie,  who  died  at  the  age  of  nearly  thirteen  ; 
Alice  Florence,  Ida,  Rosa,  John  Harvey,  Mary  Catharine  and 
Charles  Samuel.  Esquire  Betz  has  been  one  of  the  representative 
citizens  of  Mosquito  township  since  his  residence  there,  and  has  been 
known  as  one  of  the  jmblic-spirited  and  liberal  members  of  the  com- 
munity. In  his  politics  he  has  always  been  a member  of  the  old 
democratic  party,  casting  his  first  vote  for  president  for  Franklin 
Fierce  in  1852,  and  supporting  every  democratic  candidate  for 
president  since.  For  a number  of  years  he  has  filled  the  office  of 
Justice  of  the  Peace  in  Mosquito  township.  He  is  a member  of  the 
Odd  Fellows,  and  also  a Mason. 


JOHN  PALMER. 

This  gentleman  has  been  living  in  Mosquito  township  since  1875; 
is  a native  of  Ohio,  and  was  born  in  AVashington  county  of  that 
state,  Feb.  Pith,  1824.  His  father,  Jabez  F.  Palmer,  was  a native 
of  Vermont,  and  descended  from  a family  who  had  settled  in  North 
Carolina  at  an  early  date.  His  grandfather,  Joseph  Palmer,  was 
one  of  the  first  settlers  of  Ohio,  and  among  the  early  pioneers  who 
settled  about  Marietta,  the  oldest  town  in  the  state.  Mr.  Palmer’s 
wife’s  name  was  Lydia  G.  Brown,  daughter  of  Samuel  Brown,  who 
was  also  one  of  the  first  pioneers  of  AVashington  county,  Ohio,  and 
settled  eight  miles  from  Alarietta,  one  of  the  first  to  locate  at  any 
distance  from  the  town.  ISlr.  Palmer’s  uncle,  John  Brown,  was 
known  throughout  that  part  of  the  state  as  one  of  the  early  aboli- 
tionists, and  most  zealous  advocate  of  freedom  for  the  black  race. 

The  Brown  family  were  from  New  Hampshire.  Mr.  Palmer 
was  born  sixteen  miles  west  of  Alarietta,  in  the  town  of  AVater- 
town,  now  Palmer  township.  He  attended  the  common  schools  and 
obtained  the  elements  of  a good  English  education.  He  was  raised 


A Scene  on  one  of  theFahms  oe  M . ST  A FF0RD,(M  osquho  Jp^  Christian  Co.,  III. 


'/I 


,Tk*  Lihrafy 

of  the 

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HISTORY  OF  CHRISTIAN  COUNTY,  ILLINOIS. 


269 


on  a farm.  November  28th,  1847,  he  married  Lydia  E.  Dutton, 
a native  of  Hockingport,  Athens  county,  Ohio.  Mr.  Palmer  was 
farming  in  Ohio  till  the  spring  of  1860,  and  then  moved  to  Mason 
county.  West  Virginia,  on  the  Ohio  river,  opposite  Gallipolis, 
Ohio,  where  he  was  engaged  in  farming  through  the  war,  and  was 
also  i>art  of  the  time  occupied  in  taking  care  of  government  horses. 

In  1866  he  moved  to  the  Ohio  side  of  the  river.  The  death  of 
his  wife  occurred  February,  1868,  and  then  Mr.  Palmer  went  to 
Missouri.  For  four  or  five  years  his  home  was  in  Sedalia,  and  he  also 
for  a year  lived  in  Cooper  county.  In  the  summer  of  1873  he  was 
most  of  the  time  in  Kansas,  and  afterward  lived  for  a few  months 
in  Bates  county,  Missouri.  In  March,  1875,  he  married  Mrs. 
Martha  L.  Sprague,  whose  maiden  name  was  Gage,  who  was  horn 
in  New'  Hampshire,  and  came  to  Washington  county,  Ohio,  when 
a child  of  five  years  of  age.  She  married  Jonathan  Sprague,  and 
settled  in  Mo.squito  township.  Mr.  Palmer  has  one  son,  James  A. 
Palmer,  now  living  in  Athens  county,  Ohio,  engaged  in  the  mer- 
chandizing business  at  Coolville.  In  his  politics  Mr.  Palmer  was 
formerly  a whig,  hut  has  been  a republican  since  the  organization 
of  that  party.  He  voted  for  Fremont  in  1856,  the  first  national 
candidate  of  the  republican  party.  He  has  thoroughly  sympathized 
with  the  aims  of  the  republican  party  during  the  whole  of  its  exist- 
ance. 


WILLIAM  MORGAN 

Is  a native-born  citizen  of  Christian  county.  His  birth  dates  Sep- 
tember 4th,  1838.  His  father,  John  Morgan,  was  a native  of 
Kentucky,  and  was  a son  of  Lambert  Morgan,  of  Virginia.  Lam- 
bert Morgan  emigrated  to  Kentucky  at  an  early  day.  He  was  in 
the  war  of  1812,  and  was  at  the  battle  of  New'  Orleans.  In  about 
1820  he  settled  in  Indiana,  where  he  lived  until  1832.  He  then 
came  to  Illinois.  When  the  family  arrived  at  Vandalia,  John  Mor- 
gan, who  was  then  about  eighteen  years  of  age,  concluded  he  would 
remain  in  that  place.  His  father  continued  his  journey,  crossed 
the  Illinois  river  at  Beardstown,  and  settled  somewhere  in  the  mil- 
itary tract,  where  he  lived  a number  of  years.  He  afterwards 
moved  into  Davis  county,  Missouri,  w’here  he  died  in  1874.  John 
Morgan  remained  in  Vandalia  a short  time,  and  then  went  to  St. 
Louis,  where  he  was  employed  by  “ Billie”  Wiggins  to  w'ork  one 
of  his  ferry-boats.  He  afterw’ard  went  to  Beardstown,  and  then  to 
Springfield,  and  finally  came  into  Avhat  is  now  Christian  county, 
where  he  Avas  married  in  1834  to  Miss  Nancy  Watkins,  a native 
of  Tennessee.  Her  father  Avas  an  early  settler  in  the  central  part 
of  Illinois.  After  Mr.  Morgan’s  marriage,  he  settled  down.to  farm- 
ing. He  noAV  lives  in  Mosquito  toAvnship.  He  has  been  twice 
married.  His  second  Avife  Avas  a Mrs.  Allen,  who,  before  marriage^ 
Avas  a Miss  Lucinda  Loyd,  of  Kentucky.  There  have  been  six 
children  born  by  this  union,  one  now  deceased.  The  subject  of  our 
sketch  Avas  the  only  child  by  his  father’s  first  marriage.  John 
Morgan  is  a man  of  the  true  pioneer  type,  and  delights  in  telling 
anecdotes  of  the  early  times. 

William  Morgan  was  raised  on  a farm  in  the  early  settlement  of 
this  county,  and  in  consequence,  his  advantages  for  receiving  an 
education  Avere  limited ; but,  by  close  application,  he  acquired  the 
rudiments  in  youth,  and  in  after  yeare  qualified  himself  suf- 
ficiently to  transact  almost  any  ordinary  business.  At  the  age  of 
twenty-eight  he  w’as  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Margaret  Ann 
Nicholes,  a native  of  Sangamon  county,  Illinois.  They  have  a 
family  of  five  children,  viz. : Mary  Emma,  Lucy  E.,  John  A.  R., 


William  E.  and  George.  After  Mr.  Morgan’s  marriage,  he  began 
farming  where  he  now  lives,  on  one  hundred  and  forty  acres.  He 
now  owns  two  hundred  and  eighty  acres.  His  father  gave  him  a 
start  of  ninety  acres,  and  by  hard  Avork  and  economical  habits  he 
has  acquired  the  balance.  In  1862  he  Avas  elected  constable,  a po- 
sition he  has  filled  to  the  present  time,  Avith  the  exception  of 
about  two  years.  For  three  years  he  was  commissioner  of  high- 
Avays  in  his  township.  In  politics  he  is  a stanch  democrat,  and 
takes  an  active  interest  in  the  succe.ss  of  his  party.  He  cast  his 
first  vote  for  James  Buchanan,  and  has  so  continued  to  vote  the 
straight  ticket.  Such  is  a brief  sketch  of  one  of  the  prominent 
young  fiirmers  of  5Iosquito  township. 


J WILLIS  WOOD 

Was  born  in  Clinton  county,  Kentucky,  October  25th,  1840.  He 
is  the  son  of  John  and  Sarah  Wood.  John  Wood  was  a native  of 
East  Tennessee,  and  his  father,  Samuel  Wood,  a native-born  English- 
man, who  emigrated  to  this  country  about  1750.  He  settled  at  Mt. 
Vernon,  Virginia,  and  enlisted  in  a Virginia  company,  Avhich  served 
in  the  French  and  Indian  Avars.  He  Avas  under  Captain  George 
Washington,  at  Braddock’s  defeat,  in  the  AA'estern  part  of  Pennsyl- 
vania, and  also  served  tAVo  years  in  a campaign  against  the  French 
in  Canada.  Mr.  Wood  married  at  Mt.  Vernon,  and  emigrated  to 
Tennessee  before  it  became  one  of  the  states.  John  Wood,  the  father 
of  our  subject,  Avas  born  in  1781,  and  was  a soldier  in  the  war  of 
1812.  He  emigrated  to  Kentucky,  where  he  married  Sarah  Crouch, 
a native  of  Tennessee,  and  of  French  descent.  They  raised  a family 
often  children,  of  Avhom  the  subject  of  our  sketch  Avasthe  youngest. 
The  occupation  of  John  Wood,  after  settling  in  Kentucky,  was  that 
of  a farmer ; he  improved  a farm  in  Clinton  county,  Avhere  he  died  in 
1860,  at  the  advanced  age  of  81  years.  His  elder  brother,  William, 
and  uncle  to  our  subject,  served  in  the  Kentucky  assembly 
twenty-one  years,  nineteen  years  consecutively,  by  profession  an 
engineer — what  then  was  termed  a surveyor.  Mr.  Wood  was 
raised  upon  his  father’s  farm,  in  Kentucky;  he  attended  the  common 
schools  in  Clinton  county,  and  also  attended  Mount  Cumberland 
Academy,  Avhereby  he  received  a good  education  ; his  original  in- 
tention was  to  fit  himself  for  the  practice  of  laAV,  and  in  1859,  he 
began  reading  laAV  in  the  office  of  H.  S.  Taylor,  of  Albany,  Ken- 
tucky; he  remained  in  this  office  about  one  year,  and  then  attended 
the  laAV  lectures,  at  the  University  in  Louisville.  He  became  fully 
qualified,  and  Avas  admitted  to  the  bar  in  1861.  His  first  intention 
was  to  open  an  office  and  practice  his  profession  in  Albany,  but  upon 
account  of  the  war  he  left  his  native  state,  and  came  to  Illinois  in 
1862,  first  locating  in  Macoupin  county,  Avhere  he  taught  school  for 
two  years,  in  that  and  Madison  county.  He  was  united  in  marriage 
to  Miss  Maria  Wood,  March  15th,  1866,  near  Troy,  Madison  county. 
Mr.  Wood  was  advised  by  his  physician  to  abandon  the  idea  of 
practicing  laAV,  or  the  confinement  necessary  for  study,  and  adopt  a 
more  active  life  on  account  of  an  affection  of  the  heart,  from  Avhich 
he  at  this  time  suffei-ed.  He  consequently  came  to  Christian  coun- 
ty, and  entered  into  the  avocation  of  a farming  life  once  more, 
Avhich  it  is  his  purpose  to  continue  the  rest  of  his  life.  After  set- 
tling in  Mosquito  toAvnshii),  in  the  spring  of  1866,  he  experienced 
the  great  misfortune  of  losing  his  Avife,  in  the  month  of  February, 
1878  He  has  tAvo  children,  viz. : Aronette  and  A.  Leon. 

Mr.  Wood  is  a man  of  considerable  ability,  and  has  most  satis- 
factorily filled  the  office  of  Justice  of  the  Peace  in  the  toAvnship 
wherein  he  resides.  In  politics  he  is  democratic. 


PARTIAL  LIST  OF  PATRONS 


CITY  OF  TAYLORVIFFE. 


NAME. 

P.  OFFICE. 

RESID 

Anderson,  W.  W. 

Taylorville 

Tavlorv’le  ] 

Abell,  J.  R.‘ 

“ I 

Anderson,  G. 

a 

“ J 

Anderson,  Samuel 

u 

“ 1 

Anderson,  J.  R. 

u 

G 

Baughman,  John 

“ 

“ B 

Brua,  George  A. 

u 

Blunt,  David  C. 

u 

“ F 

Barnes,  Albert  G. 

“ I 

Wm.  Chamberlain 

u 

“ I 

Clienev,  H. 

u 

“ 1 

Coleman,  John  M. 

“ I 

Chapman,  11.  C. 

“ 

“ I 

Culver,  J.  S. 

“ .N 

Clark,  J.  H. 

u 

“ I 

Clark,  L.  H. 

u 

G 

Clark,  A.  L. 

Dec’d  Feb. 

1,1880  I 

Clark,  SiLsan  M. 

Taylorville 

Taylorv'le  ^ 

Davi.s,  Jr.,  Henrv 

Springfield 

Taylorville 

Springfi'd  ] 

Duncan,  Jerome 

Tavlorv  le 

Deterding,  G.  A. 

“ I 

Drennan,  Fr.ink  P. 

(( 

“ ] 

Drennan,  John  G. 

U 

“ I 

Frink,  William  S. 

“ 1 

Sarah  Grace  Grant 

Dec’d  Nov. 

24,  186C  I 

Foy,  F. 

Taylorville 

Tavlorv’le  a 

Goodrich,  W.  A. 

“ 

“ J 

Hill,  Josiah  A. 

G 

“ ( 

Hurner,  J.  F. 

G 

1 

Hatch,  J.  B. 

Dallas,  Tex 

DallasTex  a 

Mary  J.  Alger 
Haines,  Wm.  C. 

“ “ 

“ 

Tavlorviile 

Taylorv'le  ^ 

Hedrick,  I..  R. 

“ ( 

lliindlev,  W.  R. 

Ilelna,  Mont. 

Helna  f- 

Jones  John  B. 

Tavlorviile 

Taylorv’le  i 

John.s,  T.  M. 

“ i 

Kirkwood,  Wm.  H. 

,St.  Louis 

StLouis 

Kitzmiller,  J.  H. 

Tavlorviile 

Taylorv’le 

Kaiqi,  William  H. 

t( 

Kessler,  N'alentine 

u 

G 

( 

Emily  Dunning 

1 )ec’d  I'eb. 

24,  1867 

Kinnev,  A.  T. 

Tavlorviile 

Taylorv’le  « 

Bartlett,  Frances  L. 

“ 

Long,  M.  C. 
Long,  B.  F. 

G 

i( 

G 

u 

„ I 

Lewis,  S.  (i. 

U 

A 

Ixmg.  T.  W. 

“ 

Martin,  W.  T. 

** 

“ 

B.  A.  Richards 

h 

McKniglit,  S. 

Virginia  A.  Boggess 

“ 

Mossier, Samuel  H. 

G 

“ ( 

McCa.skill,  A. 

G 

( 

Michels,  Peter 

“ 

Catharine  Weiler 

1 

-Mav,  Thos.  G. 

“ 

Orr,  P*.  W. 

G 

( 

Powel,  P*.  M. 

“ 

Powel,  H.  .M. 

G 

“ 

Perrv,  A.  L. 

“ 

Peck,  Allicrt  R. 

G 

G 

J 

Powel,  (Jharlcsworth 

‘‘  J 

I’rovinc,  W.  M. 

Ricks,  N.  Douglas 

“ 

<4 

Rlifnles,  Amos  A. 

<( 

Ricseniy,  Edward 

G 

“ 

Anna  B.  'J’ravlor 

G 

(« 

William  < Ippcrman 

G 

G 

Clara  Caswell 

Ricks,  James  P>. 

G 

RfK'kwcll,  ( '.  V. 

G 

G 

( Richardson,  I.  N. 

G 

<1 

1 Julia  H.  ( irwslrich 

I lec’d  Kell. 

in,  1X71 

Ricks,  John  P,. 

Taylorville 

Taylorv  lu 

Rockwell,  A.  S. 

Squier,  .John  .1. 

‘‘ 

Hhiimwav,  Dorice  D. 

«< 

** 

Shumwav,  H.  I’. 

*1 

** 

Shuniway,  .1 . N < 
Sattley,  Albert 

** 

Hattlcv,  .Arcliihald 

G 

/ Hinilli,  W.  F. 

G 

1 Warner,  Lydia 

OCCUPATION. 


NATIVITY. 


Henderson  Co., Ky 

Adair  Co.,  Ky. 
Norway 

Greene  Co.,  Ind. 


CITY  OF  TAYFORVIFFE.— [Continued.] 


Bookkeeper  inW.W.. Anderson's  Bank  Stark  Co.,  Ollio 
anufacturer  Segars  and  Dealer  in  P^nnSVlvJinijl 
Tobacco 

armer  WUliamson  Co.,  Tenn. 

lanker  Harrisburg,  Pa.  5oj 

)ry  Good.s  Merchant  Fulton  Co.,  Ind.  71lj 

'armer  OJiio  70,  i 

Retired  Farmer  Halifax  Co  , Ya.  67| I 

'hysician  and  Surgeon  New  London, Conn, 3/ |j 

arble  Maiinfactiirer  and  Dealer  F)hio  |53|j' 

'hysician  and  Surgeon  Ctiristian  Co., 

“ HI.  44 

ate  Sheriff  of  Christian  Co.'  Ky.  49 

Vidow  of  A.  L.  Clark  ' “ 111.  35; 

Law  & Brokerage  Agent  Christian Co.lll.  49, 
reliant  Sangamon  Co.  II  47l 

VIerchant  Madison  Co.,  Ill  68 

uit  Clerk  Caldwell  Co.Kvi56ii 

Law  “ “ "!56[ 

New  London  Co.,  Conn. 

'.  S.  Frink  New  York  37| 

& State's  ,Aitorney;Tiiscarawas  Co.,  O 65, 
BerkshireCo  Mass40! 
k .Montgomery  Co.]l;55| 

rietor  of  Porter's;  YJpgJnia  65 

ement  Dealer  NewYork  69 

I.  Hatch  St.  Joseph,  Ind.  69 

iristian  Co.  KappahannockCo..  Va.  40 

reliant  Sangamon  Co.  II  66 

Kentucky 

Law  Ohio  64^ 

1(1  Surgeon  Preble  Co.,  O.  73; 

:;lerk  <»hio  67 

id  Surgeon  East  Tennessee  72; 

rierk  Boston,  Mass.  71 

r Manufacturer  Germany  61 

V.  Kessler  Ohio  34 

. New  York  70 
Illinois  70 

Kentucky  50, 
Sangamon  Co.  1 1 50 
Kent  Co.,  Del. 
Sangamon  Co.  11 
Alabama 
Kentucky 
MacoupinCo.Ill 


Sattley,  Mar.-ihall 
Shetler,  Jerry 
Schulze,  Rev.  Fred’ick 
Slater,  L.  B. 

Taylor,  James  M. 
Vandeveer,  Win.  T. 
^^andeveer,  Eugene  A. 
M'lii  tiller,  Charles 
Willey,  A.  J. 

Wingate,  Charles  H. 
Wertheimer,  John 
Wagoner,  George 


P.  OFFICE.  KESID. 


OCCUPATION. 


NATIVITY. 


Taylorville 


Taj 


orv'le  Manufer of  Agricultural  Implements 
Carriage  and  Wagon  Manufacturer 

Catholic  Priest 
Physician  and  Surgeon 
Attorney-at-Law 
Banker 
Banker 
County  Clerk 
Capitalist  and  Farmer 

Miller  in  Price  & Wilkinson’s  Mill 

Clothing  Merchant 
Livery,  Feed  & Sale  Stables 


Sangamon  Co.  II  58 
Tuscarawas  Co.,  0 57 
Germany  77 
Illinois  68 

Scotland  68 

Christian  Co.lll.  42 
Christian  Co.lll. *53 
Licking  Co.,  O.  62 
Hamilton  Co.,0!58 
Sussex  Co.,  Del.  72 
Austria  78 

Illinois  56 


TAYFORVIFFE— TOWN  13  NORTH.  RANGE  2 WEST, 


Bond,  Abner 
f Cheney,  H. 

\ Cheney, 


Taylorville 


Special  Agent  Pha-nix  Insurance  Co 


34  r 
70  4 


( Jermany 
Sangamon  Co.  II 
Germany 


.■\llorney-at-Law 
Physician  and  Surgeon 
Dry  (ioods  Merchant 
Lute  wife  of  I.  N.  Itirhardson 
Parmer  and  Stock  Baiser  Trigg  Co.,  Ky. 


l-.dltor  and  PmprDtoT  of  /ifpuhlira 

Banker 

Drv  ( ickhIs  Merchant 


Kentucky 
Ohio 
l’arkersb'rg,W.Va  53 
Philadelphia,  Pa.  53 
Robertson  Co. Ten  78 
( )neidaCo.,N.Y.  65 
Philadelphia 
Illinois  68 

Christian  Co.lll.  46 
Shelby  Co.,  111.  liO; 
St.  .loe,  Mo.  7ti: 

Cbristian Co.lll.  58 
St.  Louis,  Mo.  76 
Morgan  Co.,  111.  7(i 
,'bristianCo.Ill.  52 
Bieliland  Co.,0.  55, 
ChristianCo.lll.  47 
“ “ 50 

36 
68 
44 


Cheney,  H. 
f Elliott,  Tlios.  J. 

I Ruth  J.  Clayton 
f Funderburk,  I).  D. 

} Layann  Ruby 
( John  Ruby 
j Goodrich,  Henry  A. 
I Arabella  Bond 
I Gore,  John 
] Harriet  E.  Welch 
( Holmes,  James  A. 
t Marv  A.  Peckham 
f Hedden,  A.  S. 

\ Samantha  Holland 
( Harriet  W.  Ladd 
Hall,  Win.  M'. 
r Jernigan,  Louis  H. 

J Sarah  Currie 
1 M ary  J.  Shake 
Amanda  Council 
Langley,  W.  F. 
Sarah  Ilanon 
( Caroline  Brence 
( Langley,  Jr.,  R.  P. 

\ Irena  L.  Clark 
Morrison,  James  C. 
t Miller,  E.  A. 

1 Jane  S.  Rishop 
f Minnis,  F.  M. 

\ Jane  George 
^lurphy,  J.  W. 
f Nash,  6.  S. 
t Rachel  S.  Miner 
j Ruby,  Zazaris 
t Mattie  Shafler 
Ryan,  John  H. 
Eliza  Lee 
Cordelia  C.  Gi fiord 
j Sharp,  Henry  E. 
t Hattie  Hazlett 
( Young,  F.  M. 

I Rebecca  J.  Gatton 
( Young,  Nancy 
\ Young,  Ezekiel  S. 


Dec’d,  J uly 
Taylorville 


Dec’d  April 
Taylorville 


Dec’d  Jan. 
Taylorville 


Dec’d  Feb. 
Dec’d  Sept. 
Taylorville 

U 

Dec’d  Sept. 
Tavlorviile 


Sharpsburg 

U 

Taylorville 
Sharpsburg 
Dec’d  June 
Tavlorviile 


Dec’d  Dee. 
Taylorville 


l)ee’d  Dec 


See.  23 
28 
28 
28 
29 
29 
16 
16 

6. 1875 
Sec.  3 

3 

9. 1875 
Sec.  29 

29 

9 

5, 1867 
Sec.  9 
24 
34 

18,  1854 
11,  18G.5 

See.  34 

17 

9, 1863 
Sec.  r 

18 
18 
23 
16 
16 

6 

6 

18 

5 

6, 1877 
Sec.  16 
16 
22 

8. 1875 
Sec.  22 

5 

5 

33 

33 

32 

10,  18.57 


Stock  Deal’r& Supervisor 
Farmer  and  Stock  Kaiser 
Wife  of  H.  Cheney 
Farmer  and  Stock  Raiser 
Farmer  and  Stock  Raiser 
Wife  of  F.  J.  Elliott 
Farmer 

Widow  of  John  Ruby 
Late  husband  of  L.  Ruby 
Farmer  and  Stock  Raiser 
Wife  of  H.  A.  Goodrich 
Farmer  and  Stock  Raiser 
Wife  of  J.  Gore 
Farmer  and  Stock  Raiser 
Wife  of  J.  A.  Holmes 
Farmer  and  Stock  Raiser 
Late  wife  of  A.  S.  Hedden 
Present  wife  of  A.  S.  HecJden 
Farmer  and  Stock  Raiser 
Farmer  and  Stock  Raiser 
First  wife  of  L.  H.  Jernigan 
Second  wife  of  L.  H.  Jernigan 
PresentwifeofL.H.  Jernigan 
Farmer  and  Stock  Raiser 
Former  wife  of  W.F.  Langley 
Present  wife  of  W.F.Lan^ley 
Farmer  and  Stock  Raiser 
Wife  of  R.  P.  Langley 
Farmer  and  Stock  Raiser 
Farmer  and  Stock  Raiser 
Wife  of  E.  A.  Miller 
Farmer  and  Stock  Raiser 
Wife  of  F.  M.  Minnis 
Farmer  and  Stock  Raiser 

Grain  & Live  Stock  Dealer  & Raiser 

Late  wife  of  O.  S.  Nash 
Farmer  and  Stock  Raiser 
Wife  of  Z.  Hiihy 
Farmer  and  Stock  Raiser 
Late  wife  of  J.  II.  Ryan 
Present  wifeof  J.  H.Ryan 
Farmer  and  Stock  Raiser 
Wife  of  H.  F.  Sharp 
Farmer  and  Stock  Raiser 
Wife  of  F.  M.  Young 
Widow  of  F.  S.  Young 

Late  huBbaud  ol  Mrs.  Nancj  Young 


Belmont  Co.  O. 
Ohio 

Pennsylvania 

Ohio 

Illinois 

ChristianCo.lll 
Y^ork  Co.  Pa. 

ChristianCo.lll. 

it 

Kentucky 

Illinois 

Ohio 

Kentucky 
Pennsylvania 
Connecticut 
Sangamon  Co.  11 
Tennessee* 

Illinois 

Tennessee 

Kentucky 

Illinois 

Pennsylvania 

Christian  Co.lll. 

Kentucky 


52 
71 
71 
71 

53 

55 
65 
50 
50 

54 
57 

31 
40 
65 
65 

56 
62 

49 
48 
36 
36 

57 

50 
30 
35 
50 

32 
44 


North  Carolina  43 
Sangamon  Co.  II  27 
Rochester,  N.Y.  45 
Christian  Co.lll. '32 

« '41 

Kentucky  67 
Franklin Co.Mas.s.  59 
“ 65 

Ohio  54 


New  York 

Christian  Co.lll. 
Illinois 

Christian  Co.lll. 

Illinois 

Kentuckv 


( ITY'  OF  I’ANA  AND  I’ANA— TOWN  1 I N.  RANGE  1 EAST. 


New  York 
I ( )hio 
CliristianCo.nl.  45 
Montgomery  (^o.ll  42 


lu.llro  of  llir  ITtrr,  Iiwut.DCl-  »nil  ( 'h  rist iail  Co.  1 1 1 . 50  1 

Ko«l  K.uto  A«ont.  /'Hr., 

Manufrrof  Agricultural  Impli'inrnU  SRIIguniOn  Co*  11  0‘l  j 

“ 50  \ 

Pennsylvania  56  f 

.Michigan  59  ] 


Wift.  of  W F.  8milh 


Allhright,  J.  T. 
(Jarissa  Morehead 
Ahrcll,  R.  W. 
Martha  F.  Milligan 
Anderson,  Fletcher 
Harriet  McCune 
Butts,  Gabriel 
Leah  Shafer 
Bartlett,  Levi  S. 
Nancy  F.  Mcrricks 
Bernard,  B.  F. 
Clara  B.  Fenner 
Bacon,  Timothy  L. 
Catharine  Forney 


Pana 

Paiia  Merchant  Tailor 

Pennsylvania 

71 

G 

1 

“ Wife  of  J.  T.  Allhright 

Ohio 

71 

j G 

**  Saloon  and  Billiard  Rooms 

Indiana 

64 

I 

“ WifeofR.  W.  Abrell 

Shelby  Co.,  HI. 

70 

1 ** 

Sec.  25  Farmer  and  Stock  Kaiser 

ChristianCo.lll. 

42 

1 a 

25  Wife  of  F.  Andereon 

Tnsoarawns  Co , 0 

53 

I “ 

25  Druggist 

Ohio 

61 

<( 

25  Wife  of  G.  Butts 

Pennsylvania 

65 

G 

34  Nurseryman  and  Farmer 

New  'i'ork 

70 

1 “ 

34  Wife  oi'  L.  S.  Bartlett 

Virginia 

71 

1 G 

17  Farmer  and  Stock  Kaiser 

Clinton  Co.,  O. 

78 

it 

17  Wife  of  B.  F.  Bernard 

Highland  Co.  0 

78 

G 

17  Farmer  and  Stock  Raiser 

Oneida  Co.  N.V. 

54 

j G 

17  Wife  of  T.  L.  Bacon 

Tuscarawas  Co.,  0 

54 

CITY  OF  PAXA  AXD  PA?^A,  ETC. — [Continued.] 


CITY"  OF  PANA  AXI)  PANA,  ETC. -[Continued.] 


o 


NAME. 

P.  OFFICE. 

1 RESID 

OCCUPATION. 

NATIVITY. 

i 

NAME. 

P.  OFFICE. 

RE.SID. 

OCCUPATION. 

NATIVITY. 

H 

H 

X 

/ Carr,  K.  M. 

Pana 

iPana 

Editor  anti  Proprietor  of  Gazette 

Connecticut 

65 

/ Paul,  Louis 

Pana 

Pana 

Baker  and  Confectioner 

Germany 

54 

[ Lit)t)ie  Guilford 

U 

\ 

i t( 

1 

iWife  of  R.  M.  Carr 

65 

1 Caroline  Hebei 

it 

tt 

Wife  of  L.  Paul 

it 

61 

f Clark,  T P. 

! 

1 “ 

'l.ivery,  Sale  ami  Feed  Stable 

Ohio 

78 

( Phipps,  J.  M. 

if 

Sec.  11 

Farmer  and  Stock  Raiser 

North  Carolina 

65 

[ Catherine  F.  Swim 

1 “ 

1 “ 

Wife  of  T.  P.  Clark 

ti 

78 

[ Amanda  C Abrell 

it 

11 

Wife  of  J.  M.  Phipps 

Indiana 

65 

f Couch,  R. 

! “ 

a 

Real  Estate  Agent 

Shelby  Co.,  111. 

75 

f Pryce,  William 

it 

35 

P'armerand  Stock  Kaiser 

Shropshire,  Eng. 

45 

\ Sinev  Cutler 

a 

1 it 

1 

[Wife  of  R.  Couch 

75 

[ Mary  J . Edwards 

Dec’d  Feb. 

27,  1877 

Late  wife  of  W.  Prvee 

Ohio 

42 

j Cowden,  Win. 

, 

1 a 

[.Janitor  oCEastScliool  House 

Ohio 

67! 

( Patton,  George  W. 

Pana 

Pana 

Physician  and  Surgeon 

Pennsylvania 

55 

( Catherine  Dickson 

' 

Wife  of  W.  Cowden 

Pennsylvania 

67i 

\ Amie  Brown 

Wife  of  G.  W.  Patton 

71 

J Chalfant,  N.  R. 

1 

Sec.  JO 

[Farmer  and  Stock  Raiser 

Tuscarawas  Co.,  0 

77| 

t Raymond,  Theodore 

it 

Builder  and  Contractor 

Connecticut 

58 

[ Caroline  Boimiuin 

1 “ 

JO 

VVife  of  N.  B.  Chalfant 

77j 

\ Rose  A.  Woodrufl’ 

Dec’d  Oct. 

9,  1876 

Late  wife  of  T.  Raymond 

New  York 

58 

f Cooper,  E.  P. 

a 

1 

Pana 

h'lorist  and  1 lorticu  Iturist 

West  Virginia 

64* 

( Roseberrv,  ,S.  V. 

Pana 

Pana 

t.'itv  Marshal 

Madison  Co., 111. 

66 

( Martha  Horn 

it 

VVife  of  E.  P.  Cooper 

64* 

] Sarah  M.  Owens 

Dec’d  May 

19,  18G8 

Late  wife  of  S.  V.  Roseberrv 

f Cond(*r,  II.  G. 

a 

Sec.  12 

Farmer  and  Stock  Raiser 

Kentuckv 

64 

( Elizabeth  A.  Barber 

Dec’d  Mar. 

26,  1879 

Late  wife  of  S.  V.  Roseberry 

it  ti 

( Dicy  D(T8on 

“ 

12 

Wife  of  H.  G.  Condor 

Indiana 

64 

1 Read,  Austin 

Pana 

Sec.  24 

Practical  Machinist  and  Farmer 

Ohio 

75 

f Cole,  Robert 

36 

Farmer 

U 

57, 

] Read,  John 

24 

Farmer 

Somersetuhire,  Eng. 

75 

-j  Cole,  James 

“ 

36 

Farmer  and  father  of  R.  Cole 

Ireland 

57 

( Lydia  H.  Pollock 

if 

24 

Wife  of  J.  Read 

Ohio 

75 

( Sophia  West 

36 

Wife  of  J.  Cole 

Indiana 

57 

f Kavhill,  Cvrus 

2 

Farmer  and  Stock  Raiser 

Indiana 

64 

J Dawdv,  J.  H. 

Pana 

Police  Magistrate 

Hamilton  Co.,  111. 

56 

\ Hannah  E.  Wilson 

Dec’d  Aug. 

16,  1878 

Late  wife  of  C.  Ravhill 

tt 

64 

t Jane  Frazier 

“ 

Wife  of  J.  H.  Dawdv 

Kentucky 

56 

( Schuvler,  H.  N. 

Pana 

Pana 

Banker 

New  York 

68 

J Delane,  John 

4I 

Sec.  17 

Farmer  and  Stock  Rairer 

Ireland 

56 

[ Harriet  A.  Hayward 

Dec’d  Nov. 

10,  1877 

Late  wife  of  H.  N.  Schuyler 

Illinois 

69 

\ Mary  Snghrne 

t< 

17 

Wife  of  J.  Delane 

ti 

57j 

Southwick,  J.  E. 

Pana 

Pana 

Justice  of  Peace  & .attorney 

Massachu.setts 

58 

j Dunn,  J.  A. 

a 

7 

Farmer 

South  Carolina 

55! 

f Swallow,  Jacob 

if 

tt 

Editor  and  Prop,  of  Pana  Palladium 

Ohio 

71 

i Eveline  Sergeant 

ti 

t 

Wife  of  J.  A.  Dunn 

Indiana 

5oi 

t Alwilda  O’Hair 

ft 

it 

Wife  of  J.  Swallow 

it 

71 

f Dickey,  Salem 

a 

Pana 

Phvsician  and  Surgeon 

Scott  Co.,  Ind. 

56! 

/ Smith,  William  M. 

tt 

Marble  & Monument  Cutter 

Virginia 

56 

\ Elizabeth  L.  Bass 

a 

“ 

Wife  of  S.  Dickev 

Mercer  Co.,  Ky. 

56| 

[ Marv  1.  McCollum 

ft 

Wife  of  W.  M.  Smith 

Kentucky 

65 

f Essick,  J.  C. 

a 

a 

Attorney-at-Law 

Pennsylvania 

58 

/ Steller,  Valentine 

ti 

Sec.  27 

Farmer  and  Blacksmith 

Germany 

68 

t Maggie  C.  Newell 

(( 

it 

Wife  of  J.  C.  E.ssick 

Canada 

65' 

[ Rosa  Tranier 

it 

27 

VVife  of  V.  Steller 

Ireland 

68 

f Edmonds,  J.  R. 

a 

a 

Principal  Public  Schools 

Ohio 

59 

f Schlierbach,  Louis 

ti 

Pana 

Harness  & Saddle  Dealer 

Germany 

56 

[ Marv  E.  Long 

a 

a 

Wife  of  J.  R.  Edmonds 

Pennsylvania 

56 

] Minnie  Bucksenshutc 

it 

ii 

Wife  of  L.  Schlierbach 

tt 

60 

( Glassgow,  Mrs.  Ann 

a 

a 

Retired 

Maryland 

55 

t Shaffer,  J.  B. 

tt 

ii 

Grocery  Dealer 

Pennsylvania 

59 

( Glassgow,  Wni.  H. 

Dec’d  J an. 

3,  1870 

Late  husband  of  Mrs.  A.  (tlassgow 

Virginia 

[ M.  V.  Abrell 

tt 

it 

Wife  of  J.  B.  Shaffer 

Indiana 

62 

f Gudehus,  W. 

Pana 

Sec.  31 

Farmer 

Germany 

63 

f Shafer,  John 

it 

Blacksmith 

Prussia 

67 

[ Victoria  Six 

31 

VVife  of  W.  Gudehus 

63 

[ Elizabeth  Veling 

it 

it 

Wife  of  J.  Shafer 

54 

f Gossmann,  Otto 

‘‘ 

Pana 

Druggist 

Bavaria 

70 

/ Schnitzer,  Frank 

ti 

“ 

Shoemaker  and  Dealer  in  Sewing 

Germany 

72 

[ Gossmann,  Frank 

a 

Druggist 

(( 

72 

1 Briscoe  Myers 

it 

Wife  of  F.  Schnitzer 

tt 

60 

1 Hayward,  W.  E 

a 

a 

Ca{)ital  ist 

Montgomery  Co.  11 

66 

( Scott,  Thos.  H. 

it 

“ 

Marble  and  Stone  Cutter 

West  Virginia 

66 

\ Clara  M.  Turnbolt 

a 

Wife  of  W.  E.  Havward 

Maryland 

66 

\ Cordelia  Thomas 

tt 

it 

Wifa  of  T.  H.  Scott 

Ohio 

66 

f Hayward.  J.  A. 

a 

a 

Proprietor  St.  James  Hotel,  and 

Montgomery  Co.  11 

67 

f Smith,  Albert 

ii 

tf 

Tobacconist 

Prussia 

67 

[ I'lora  M.  Rood 

a 

(( 

Wife  of  .).  A.  Hayward 

Massachusetts 

71 

[ Belle  Monatt 

it 

it 

Wife  of  A.  Smith 

Baden  Baden 

67 

f Hegle,  Burnhard 

(( 

Butcher 

Germany 

70, 

f Smith,  Thomas  P. 

tt 

Sec.  20 

F'arnier 

Louis  Co.,  Ky. 

70 

[ Sarah  Varley 

a 

Wife  of  B.  Hegle 

England 

70; 

\ Smith,  Cynthia  A. 

Dec’d  April 

5,  1872 

Late  wife  of  T.  P.  Smith 

Kentucky 

70 

f Harrison,  Mrs.  Matilda 

a 

a 

Proprietor  Harrison  House 

Virginia 

65 

] Timmerman,  Elisha 

Pana 

Pana 

Carpenter  and  Builder 

Ohio 

69 

[ Harrison,  Win.  A. 

Dec’d  Nov. 

4,  1874 

Late  husband  of  Mrs.  M.  H.  Harrison 

Ohio 

65 

i.  Margaret  Bess 

(( 

it 

Wife  of  E.  Timmerman 

69 

f Horn,  Chas.  L. 

a 

Cooperage 

Madison  Co., 111. 

79 

f Villers.  Isaiah 

(( 

it 

Pastor  M.  E.  Church 

tt 

78 

\ Minnie  R.  Griffin 

(< 

a 

Wife  of  C.  L.  Horn 

if  ti 

79 

[ Marv  H.  'I'ompson 

it 

ti 

Wife  of  Rev.  I.  Villers 

Vermillion  Co.,11). 

78 

f Huber,  J. 

a 

Phvsician  and  Surgeon 

Logan  Co.,  0. 

67 

( Wagener.  S.  C. 

a 

tt 

Merchant 

Yates  Co.,  N.Y. 

66 

[ Amanda  Harbor 

a 

Wife  of  J.  Huber 

Champ.aign  Co.,0. 

68 

\ Emma  Ohlman 

it 

if 

Wife  of  S.  C.  Wagener 

Madison  Co., 111. 

66 

f Hubbard,  T.  W. 

a 

Sec.  28 

Farmer 

New  York 

65 

) Walker,  J.  P. 

(( 

Sec.  16 

F'armer 

New  Y’ork 

46 

\ Julia  Spaulding 

a 

28 

Wife  of  T.  W.  Hubbard 

Michigan 

65 

1 Nancy  Bowman 

it 

16 

Wife  of  J.  P.  Walker 

Ohio 

49 

t Helmick,  Thomas  E. 

a 

Pana 

Student 

Ohio 

66 

< White,  James  D. 

it 

Pana 

Teacher  and  Farmer 

Pennsvlvania 

66 

\ Helmick,  J.  C. 

Dec’d  Jan. 

4, 1870 

Father  of  T.  E.  Helmick 

66 

\ Ninia  S,  Dunwell 

it 

Wife  of  J.  D.  White 

Ohio 

66 

( Susan  Miller 

Pana 

Pana 

Widow  of  J.  C.  Helmick 

ti 

66' 

f Weber,  W.  A. 

it 

Sec.  31 

F'armer 

Germany 

57 

/ Humphreys,  E.  A. 

a 

Attorney-at-Law 

Missouri 

61 

1 Weber,  Amelia 

it 

31 

Wife  of  W.  A.  Weber 

(( 

57 

\ Ann  E.  McMillen 

a 

it 

Wife  of  E.  A.  Humphrevs 

Ohio 

66 

f Wight,  M.  G. 

ti 

16 

Dairying  and  Farming 

Kentucky 

67 

f Jehle,  Louis 

a 

ft 

Hardware  Merchant 

St.  Louis,  Mo. 

65 

\ Elvira  Harrison 

it 

16 

Wife  of  M.  G.  Wight 

tt 

67 

[ Augusta  Kistenmacher 

(< 

tt 

Wife  of  L.  Jehle 

Germany 

73 

f Wallar,  Charles  D. 

it 

Pana 

Marble  Cutter  and  Manufacturer 

Vermont 

74 

Johns,  Robert 

a 

it 

Lumber  Dealer 

Indiana 

65: 

\ Ada  Brogan 

ft 

ii 

Wife  of  C.  D.  Wallar 

Pennsvlvania 

59 

f Jageman,  Philip 

a 

a 

Grocer 

Germany 

55; 

/ Woolley,  J.  S. 

if 

Sec.  18 

Farmer  and  Stock  Raiser 

Windsor  Co.,Vt 

67 

[ Margaret  Walcher 

it 

a 

Wife  of  P.  Jageman 

North  Carolina 

55| 

1 Susan  L.  Brown 

Dec’d  Nov. 

28,  1877 

Late  wife  of  J . S.  Woollev 

tt  it 

67 

f Johnson,  W.  H. 

Sec.  4 

Farmer  and  Teacher 

Clinton  Co.,  0. 

67| 

/ Wright,  T.  T. 

Pana 

Sec.  4 

P'armerand  Stock  Rai.ser 

Wayne  Co.,  Ind. 

68 

Johnson,  Selby 

«< 

4 

Farmer  and  father  of  W.  H.  Johnson 

Oliio 

67! 

1 N . J . Davinson 

4 

Wife  of  T.  T.  Wright 

Ross  Co.,  Ohio. 

68 

( Rebecca  J.  Routh 

4 

Wife  of  S.  Johnson 

67! 

Watterson,  W.  J. 

tt 

Pana 

Auctioneer 

Philadelphia,  Pa. 

79 

f Kitchen,  J.  W. 

a 

Pana 

Attornev-at-Law 

Crawford  Co.,  HI. 

66' 

f Y"arnell,  J.  H. 

if 

Attornej'-at-Law 

Ohio 

75 

\ Mary  I'‘.  Little 

a 

Wife  of  J.  W.  Kitchell 

Montgomery  Co.Il 

66, 

[ Electa  Woolley 

ii 

it 

W’ife  of  J.  H.  Yarnell 

V'^ermont 

65 

/ Ladd,  Aaron  A. 

a 

Sec.  11 

h'armer  and  Stock  Raiser 

Vermont 

61 

\ Emily  Cowgell 

11 

Wife  of  A.  A.  Ladd 

Ohio 

54' 

/ Ladd,  Gnstine  I. 

a 

Pana 

Real  Estate  Agent 

Vermont 

55' 

RICKS— TOWl'fSmP  11.  RANCiE  3 WEST. 

[ Frances  S.  Dexter 

it 

Wife  of  G.  I.  Ladd 

U 

59; 

( Mooney,  S.  P. 

a 

a 

Merchant 

Indiana 

62 

\ Sarah  A.  Zahniser 

a 

a 

VVife  of  S.  P.  Mooney 

Ohio 

70 

f Adan-.s,  Lansing 

Morrisonville 

Sec.  30 

Farmer  and  Supervisor 

New  York 

73 

/ McQuigg,  J.  C. 

a 

it 

Attornev-at-Law 

tt 

67 

\ Adams,  Hannah 

ii 

30 

Wife  of  L.  Adams 

Ohio 

73 

\ Marian  Patton 

a 

tt 

Wife  of  J.  C.  McQuigg 

Pennsylvania 

53 

f Arkebauer,  John  G. 

a 

32 

Farmer  and  Stock  Raiser 

Macoupin  Co.Ill  76 

j Mears,  Levi  Franklin 

a 

Sec.  35 

Farmer  and  Stock  Raiser 

Shelby  Co.,  111. 

72* 

\ Annie  Craft 

it 

32 

Wife  of  .J.  G.  Arkebauer 

Germany 

79 

\ Juliette  Hinson 

a 

35 

Wife  of  S.  F.  Mears 

tt  ti 

72 

f Bell,  N.  N. 

Morriso’le 

Proprietor  of  Tremontllouse 

Jefferson  Co.Va 

65 

/ Mills,  E.  T. 

a 

36 

h'armer  and  Stock  Kaiser 

Indiana 

74 

\ Bell,  Sallie  A. 

ii 

ii 

Wife  of  N.  N.  Bell 

Loudon  Co.,\’a.  65 

[ Mary  E.  Jefiris 

a 

36 

Wife  of  E.  T.  Mills 

Coles  Co.,  111. 

74 

f Brokamp, . Joseph 

a 

if 

Groceries  and  Restaurant 

Jersey  Co.,  111. 

67 

/ McElroy,  John 

a 

Pana 

Grocer  and  Farmer 

Harrison  Co.,  0. 

62l 

J Joseph  Poggenpol||  Co. 

ti 

if 

Groceries  and  Restaurant 

Germany 

69 

\ Auria  J.  Swim 

a 

it 

Wife  of  J.  McElroy 

tt  ti 

5& 

( Maggie  Lappe 

tt 

a 

Wife  of  J.  Poggenpol 

tt 

69 

i McKoy,  Jennie 

a 

it 

Teacher  in  Public  School 

Illinois 

57i 

f Banschbach,  Louis 

it 

ti 

Proprietor  Banschbach  Hotel 

tt 

71 

] McKoy,  Henry 

a 

a 

Proprietor  Saw  Mill 

Connecticut 

57j 

\ Banschbach,  AmeliaW 

a 

Wife  of  L.  Banschbach 

Illinois 

71 

( Mary  Augusta  Martin 

a 

tt 

Wife  of  Henry  McKoy 

New  York 

57! 

/ Bertmann,  Fred. 

ti 

Sec.  30 

Farmer  and  Commissioner  of  High* 

Prussia 

71 

/ MePherron,  Andrew 

a 

Sec.  20 

Farmer  and  Stock  Kaiser 

Kentucky 

70' 

[ Nettie  Brokamp 

u 

30 

Wife  of  Fred.  Bertmann 

Jersey  Co.,  111. 

71 

1 Nancy  Dawson 

20 

Wife  of  A.  MePherron 

ft 

70 

( Beaty,  Milton 

it 

27 

Farmer,  & Breeder  Berkshire  Hogs 

Lawrence  Co.,  Ind. 

67 

/ Neely,  J.  E. 

a 

Pana 

Builder  and  Undertaker 

Pennsylvania 

58 

-J  Beaty,  Jennie 

27 

Wife  of  M.  Beaty 

it  tt 

77 

\ Mary  A.  Millard 

a 

a 

Wife  of  J.  E.  Neeley 

ti 

58! 

( Beaty,  W.  II. 

it 

27 

Farmer,  & Breeder  Berkshire  Hoga 

it  it 

67 

/ Newcomb,  Wm.  H.  R. 

a 

a 

Grocer 

Montgomery  Co.Il 

60! 

Breen,  Vincent  J. 

it 

Morriso’le 

Dealer  in  Clothing,  Boots,  Shoes  and 

Missouri 

71 

\ Alvira  Corley 

it 

Wife  of  W.  H.  R.  Newcomb 

Shelby  Co.,  111. 

71! 

f Campbell,  J.  W. 

ti 

ft 

Physician  and  Surgeon 

Illinois 

74 

/ Neel,  A.  G. 

a 

tt 

Justice  of  Peace  and  Notary  Public 

West  Virginia 

56 

\ Campbell,  A.  E. 

ti 

it 

Wife  of  Dr.  J.  W.  Campbell 

Kentucky 

74 

1 Abby  M.  Heath 

a 

ft 

Wife  of  A.  G.  Neel 

Connecticut 

56, 

J Craig,  John  S. 

tt 

Sec.  26 

Farmer  and  Stock  Raiser 

Scotland 

68 

/ Overholt,  Martin 

a 

a 

Merchant  Miller 

Ohio 

51' 

[ Craig,  Prudie  A. 

tt 

26 

Wife  of  John  S.  Craig 

SangamonCo.il 

68 

[Hannah  MacFarland 

a 

a 

Wife  of  M.  Overholt 

<( 

51 

( Ciavin,  Simon 

tt 

19 

Farmer  and  Stock  Raiser 

Ireland 

57 

Patton,  J.  N. 

a 

a 

Attorney  & Justice  of  Peace 

Pennsylvania 

54| 

[ Ciavin,  Mary 

it 

19 

Wife  of  S.  Ciavin 

tt 

57 

mCKS— TOWKSHIP  11.  RANGE  3 WEST.- 

-[Continued.] 

i 

BEAR  CREEK— TO AYX 

lli.  RANGE  3 WEST. 

NAME. 

P.  OFFICE. 

RESID. 

OCCUPATION- 

NATIVITY. 

aa 

H 

•A 

NAME. 

P.  OFFICE. 

RESID. 

OCCUPATION. 

NATIVITY. 

a 

H 

f Croon,  Henry 

Nokomis 

Sec.  36 

Farmer  and  Stock  Raiser 

Germany 

70 

' Armitage,  L^.  G. 

Palmer 

Sec.  6 

Fanner  and  Stock  Raiser 

Illinois 

62 

\ Croon,  Tina 

({ 

36 

Wife  of  H.  Croon 

(t 

74 

. Eliza  A.  Loveless 

“ 

6 

AiA'ife  of  U.  G.  Armitage 

Mi.ssonri 

66 

( Conroy,  John  C. 

Morrisonville 

34 

Farmer  and  Stock  Kaiser 

Philadelphia,  Pa. 

70 

Brownell,  John  I. 

Morrisoavillo 

6 

Farmer  and  Stock  Raiser 

Illinois 

72 

"i  Conroy,  Mary  A. 

Dec’d  Aug. 

15,  187n 

Wife  of  J.  C.  Conroy 

Macoupin  Co.  11 

70 

Sns.anna  Graves 

a 

6 

AA^ife  of  J.  I.  Brownell 

ti 

73 

f Cheatham,  K.  L. 

Morrisonville 

Morriso’le 

Dealer  in  Groceries  and  Queensware 

Cumberland  Co.,Va. 

79 

Bowles,  J.  M. 

Palmer 

7 

Fanner  and  Stock  Raiser 

Virginia 

71 

■)  Cheatham,  Mary  F. 

** 

Wife  of  E.  L.  Cheatham 

Calaway  Co.  Mo 

79 

1 Delila  Hoel 

1 

AA'ife  of  ,J.  AI.  Bowles 

Ohio 

71 

( Deming,  \V.  \V. 

Sec.  22 

Farmer  and  .Stock  Raiser 

Washington  Co.  0. 

72 

Bremer,  George  A. 

Morrisonville 

18 

Farmer  and  Stock  Raiser 

District  of  Ooluiiihia 

77 

'l  Deming,  A.  A. 

22 

Wife  of  W.  \V.  Deming 

72 

( Olive  Bond 

if 

18 

AA'ife  of  G.  A.  Bremer 

Sangamon  Co.  11 

77 

(rlover,  John  W. 

Nokomis 

36 

F'armerand  Stock  Raiser 

Belmont  Co.,  0. 

78 

( Bovd,  Alfred 

Palmer 

23 

Farmer  and  Stock  Raiser 

North  Carolina 

39 

( Grundy,  Walter 

Morrisonville 

34 

Farmer  and  Stock  Raiser 

Lincolnshire,  Eng 

68 

Z.  A.  McCormick 

Deceased  wife  of  A.  Boyd 

Kentucky 

39 

'(  Grundy,  ^S^annie 

34 

Wife  of  6V.  Grundy 

Jersey  Co.,  111. 

71 

t Boyd,  James  M. 

Palmer 

Farmer  and  Stock  Raiser 

39 

Grundy,  Charles 

(( 

21 

Farmer  and  Stock  Raiser 

Lincolnshire,  Eng 

67 

I Martha  A.  Leigh 

it 

AA'ife  of  J.  AI.  Bovd 

Christian  Co.  Ill 

42 

( Hearin,  W.  II. 

(( 

Morrisole 

Proprietor  Chenev  House 

AVhite  Co , III. 

68 

Clark,  AA'm.  AI. 

Clarksdale 

Sec.  1 

Farmer  and  Slock  Raiser 

ii  it 

63 

'i  Hearin,  Mrs.  A.  E. 

n 

AVife  of  W.  H.  Hearin 

.Jersey  Co.,  111. 
Illinois 

68 

AI.  J.  Leigh 

it 

1 

AA'ife  of  Wm.  M.  Clark 

ii  ii 

54 

( Hall,  John  T. 

ii 

ii 

Blacksniithing  and  General  Repair 
Shops 

Late  wife  of  J.  T.  Hall 

69 

( Clark,  Y.  B. 

ii 

Clarksd'le 

Farmer  and  Stock  Raiser 

Kentucky 

45 

1 Maria  J.  McClain 

Dee  d Feb. 

7, 1878 

Pike  Co.,  111. 

69 

1 FJizabeth  S.  Green 

ii 

AVife  of  Y.  B.  Clark 

it 

73 

Hawk,  Henry 

Morrisonville 

Sec.  3 

Farmer  and  Stock  Raiser 

Indiana 

56 

1 Conner,  J.  J. 

Palmer 

Palmer 

Physician  and  Surgeon 
Wife  of  J.  J.  Conner 
Farmer  and  Slock  Raiser 

Wisconsin 

53 

( Knotts,  T.  L. 
'(  Knotts,  Eliza 

u 

Morriso'le 

u 

Dealer  in  Dry  Goods,  Groceries  and 
Queensware 

Wife  of  T.  L.  Knotts 

Dover,  Del. 
Ireland 

69 

69 

( Mary  E.  Bentty 
( Dodson,  .1.  C. 

^tlorrisouville 

ii 

Sec.  8 

Illinois 

ti 

54 

55 

( Klingler,  George 

Sec.  4 

Farmer  and  Stock  Raiser 

Germany 

54 

(Ann  Green 

o 

8 

AA'ife  of  .J.  C.  Dodson 

England 

55 

'(  Klingler,  .Susan 

4 

Wife  of  G.  Klinger 

66 

( Duncan,  J.  D. 

Palmer 

14 

Farmer  and  Stock  Raiser 

Christian  Co.  Ill 

55 

( Keown,  Calvin  G. 

Morriso’le 

Minister  Cumberland  Presbyterian 

Aladison  Co.  III. 

72 

( Hattie  Katz 

ii 

14 

AA'ife  of  ,J.  D.  Duncan 

Illinois 

72 

1 Sarah  E.  Boyd 

u 

li 

Wife  of  Rev.C.  G.  Keown 

Christian  Co.  Ill 

42 

f Dodson,  T.  C. 

Palmer 

Groceries  and  Hardware 

ii 

55 

1 Langen,  Elizabeth 

u 

Sec.  29 

Farming  & Stock  Raising 

Germany 

63 

( Mary  A.  Alitchell 

AA'ife  of  T.  C.  Dodson 

“ 

75 

1 Langen,  Theodore 

Dec’d  Aug. 

31,  1876 

Late  husband  of  E.  Langen 

(t 

63 

Entrekin,  J.  A. 

Morrisonville 

Sec.  31 

Farmer  and  Stock  Raiser 

Pennsylvania 

72 

f Morrison,  \V.  E. 

Morrisonville 

Sec.  6 

Lawver  and  Farmer 

St.  Clair  Co.,  III. 

71 

( Entrekin,  Levina 

it 

31 

Alotherof  J.  A.  Entrekin 

72 

■|  Morrison,  Annie  P. 

Dec'd  March 

20,  1874 

Late  wife  of  W.  E.  Morrison 

.Sangamon  Co.  11 

71 

b'underbnrk,  Henry  L. 

Clarksdale 

11 

Farmer  and  Stock  Raiser 

Illinois 

60 

, Miller,  A.  W. 

Morrisonville 

Morriso’le 

Manufacturer  Wagons  and  Patent 
Seats,  and  Justice  of  the  Peace. 

Wife  of  A.  W.  Miller 

Indiana 

73 

Ara  Rape 

Deceased 

AA'ifeof  H.  L.Funderbnik 

Miller,  Mariah  A. 

“ 

Yorkshire,  Eng. 

73 

Sarah  E.  Dickson 

Clarksdale 

Sec.  11 

Present  wife  of  H.  L.  Funderburk 

Christian  Co.  Ill 

48 

f Monegan,  Thos. 

u 

Sec.  12 

Farmer  and  .Stock  Raiser 

Ireland 

62 

Gl.adish,  AV.  AI. 

it 

Clarksd’le 

Post  Master.  Dry  Goods  and  Grocery 

Kentucky 

64 

Monegan,  Clara  A. 

u 

12 

Wife  of  Thos.  Monegan 

Aladison  Co.  III. 

66 

( Annie  A.  Clark 

ii 

it 

Wife  of  W.  M.  Gladish 

Christian  Co.  Ill 

48 

Monegan,  W illiam 

13 

Farmer  and  .Stock  Raiser 

Ireland 

62 

f George,  E.  AA'. 

Palmer 

Sec.  28 

Farmer  and  Stock  Raiser 

Kentucky 

(( 

50 

1 McCauley,  J.  \V. 

(t 

.'lorriso'le 

Dealer  in  Groceries  & Queen.sware 

Kentucky 

67 

( Elizabeth  Anderson 

28 

AA'ife  of  R.  AV.  George 

50 

( McCauley,  Hannah 

(i 

AVife  of  J.  AV.  McCauley 

Illinois 

1 Hill,  .John  T. 

ft 

20 

Farmer  and  Stock  Raiser 

ii 

37 

1 Murry,  f).  F. 

u 

it 

Altorney-at-Law 
AA’ife  of  D.  F.  Murry 

Stark  Co.,  0. 

66 

1 Emily  Nuckolls 

U 

20 

Wife  of  J.  T.  Hill 

Illinois 

1 .Murry,  Mary  A. 

a 

tt 

Iowa 

72 

1 Haines,  Fletcher 

Taylorville 

5 

Farmer  and  Stock  Raiser 

Kentucky 

55 

( Morrison,  Eugene  M. 

Sec.  9 

Farmer  and  Stock  Raiser 

.St.  Clair  Co.,  111. 

/ / ' 

Lydia  A.  Anderson 

5 

Wife  of  b'.  Haines 

(i 

33 

1 Morrison,  Olive  A. 

(( 

9 

AA'ife  of  E.  M.  Morrison 

Morehouse  Parish,  La. 

77: 

Haines,  Millard  C. 

(i 

5 

Farmer 

Christian  Co.lll. 

58 

( McCliirg,  L.  C. 

G 

26 

Farmer  and  Stock  Raiser 

Christian  Co.  HI 

45 

Hill,  R.  E. 

Palmer 

33 

Farmer  and  Stock  Raiser  and  High- 

Kentucky 

65 

( McClurg,  Mary  .V. 

i( 

26 

Wife  of  L.  C.  MoClnrg 

Kentucky 

57 

AI.  F.  Hailey 

33 

Wife’of  lir'E.”  H m 

Christian  Co.  Ill 

43 

( Miller,  Joseph  H. 

ti 

29 

Farmer  and  Stock  Raiser 

Orange  Co.N.Y. 

7r 

Hawk,  John 

it 

34 

Farmer  and  Stock  Raiser 

Virginia 

55 

( Lucv  Beeiiian 

a 

29 

AVifeof  J.H.  Miller 

Jersey  Co.,  III. 

71 

Hawk,  Nancy 

ii 

34 

AA'ife  of  .John  Hawk 

Ohio 

59 

( McLean,  Michael 

Morriso’le 

Dealer  in  Tobacco,  and  Restaurant 

Ireland 

70 

Hawkins,  S.  AV. 

Clarksdale 

4 

Farmer  and  Stock  Raiser 

ii 

68 

\ McLean,  Catherine 

AA'ife  of  M.  McLean 

New  York 

73 

E.  ,J.  Alyers 

First  wife  of  S.  W.  Hawkins 

it 

68 

( Mminterman,  Adam 

u 

ti 

Dealer  in  Tobacco,  and  Re.siaurant 

Germany 

78 

Eliza  Slonaker 

Clarksdale 

Sec.  4 

Present  wife  of  8.  W.  Hawkins 

Illinois 

68 

Munsterman,  Mena 

(i 

AVife  of  A.  Munsterman 

ti 

78 

Kauerauf,  Daniel  A. 

Palmer 

Palmer 

Hotel-keeper 

Prussia 

64 

f Machiel.s,  Albert 

a 

.Saddle  & Harne.«s  Maker 

Holland 

71 

Loui.sa  H.  Krueger 

Wife  of  D.  A.  Kauerauf 

ii 

64 

( Janey  Lelie 

<< 

tt 

AA'ife  of  A.  Machiels 

a 

71 

Kline,  AA'^illiatu 

Morrisonville 

Sec.  19 

Farmer  and  Stock  Raiser 

Maryland 

57 

( Nutt,  I).  I). 

{* 

Sec.  16 

Farmer  and  Stock  Kaiser 

Morris  Co.,  N..J. 

69 

Abigail  Miller 

tt 

19 

AA'ife  of  Wm.  Kline 

Ohio 

57 

'(  Nutt,  Ann  T. 

u 

16 

AVife  of  D.  D.  Nutt 

.lersey  Co  , 111. 

()9 

Leigh,  E.  T. 

Palmer 

21 

Farmer  ami  Stock  Kaiser  and  Kx- 
Supervisor 

Wife  of  E.  T.  Leigh 

A'irginia 

39 

1 Ofllighter,  .1.  I). 

G 

Morriso’le 

■Architect  and  Builder 

Augusta  C'o.,A'a 

70 

M.  A.  Hill 

21 

Kentucky 

41 

I Ofllighter,  T.  J. 

“ 

AA'ife  of  J.  I).  Ofllighter 

Jersey  Co.,  111. 

Leigh,  J.  AV. 

22 

Farmer  and  Stock  Raiser 

Christian  Co.  Ill 

52 

( Bankin,  E.  P. 

a 

it 

Minister  First  Presbyterian  Church 

Hindoostan 

72 

M.  A.  Ciirvey 

ii 

22 

AA'ife  of  J.  AV.  Jjeigh 

Illinois 

64 

1 Kankin,  M rs.  IL  P. 

u 

ti 

AVife  of  E.  P.  Rankin 

Patrick  Co.,  A’a. 

1 / 

Logsdon,  AVm. 

Clarksdale 

10 

Farmer  and  Carpenter 

Kentucky 

30 

j Kaiidle,  W.  ,S. 

ii 

Sec.  3 

Farmer  and  .Stock  Raiser 

North  Carolina 

69 

Elizabeth  Meeds 

ii 

10 

AA'ife  of  AA'm.  I..ogsdon 

it 

30 

1 Handle,  Sarah 

u 

3 

AA'ife  of  AV.  .S.  Randle 

Kentucky 

69 

Mnndhenke,  Henry 

Palmer 

27 

Farmer  & Stock  Raiser  A Supervisor 

Prussia 

56 

( P.icks,  W.  T. 

11 

Farmer  and  .Stock  Raiser 

Christian  Co.  Ill 

40 

Elizabeth  Compton 

it 

27 

AA'ife  of  H.  Mundehnke 

Ohio 

56 

\ Kicks,  Kctiirah 

11 

AA'ife  of  AV.  '1'  Ricks 

Ohio 

60 

Morgan,  George 

Morrisonville 

5 

Farmer  and  Stock  Raiser 

Kentucky 

65 

f Rittgcr,  ( 'hrislian 

ii 

31 

Farmer  and  Stock  Raiser 

Germany 

60 

Martha  Rape 

6 

AVife  of  G.  Morgan 

Illinois 

65 

( Hitiger,  Sophia 

u 

34 

Wife  of  (,'.  Rittger 

61 

Murphy,  Lucien 
t A.  E.  Alurphy 
Alcader,  E.  F. 

Palmer 

17 

Farmer  and  Stock  Raiser 

Christian  Co.  Ill 

44 

.Steen  Brothers 
f Speece,  Laiah 

Morri'o’lc 

Sec.  6 

Dnifdcit'ts.  and  K<Htor>  A'  Pnblitshers 
" .Mtirrisonvllle  Timen." 

FHi  mer  aiul  Stof-k  Kaiser 

Illinois 

69 

Clarksdale 

17 

12 

AA'ife  of  L.  Murphy 
b'armer  and  Stock  Raiser 

Illinois 
Now  Humpshire 

50 

(68 

”(  Speece,  Elizabeth 

tt 

6 

VA'ife  of  l.-aiah  Speece 

Ohio 

69 

E.  J.  Hunter 

12 

Wife  of  K.  F.  Aleader 

Illinois 

173 

j .'siiiill,  E.  S. 

** 

Morriso’le 

Di  aler  in  I-nnibcr.  Paints,  l-iine,  kc. 

.Icflerson  Co.,  0. 

70 

Aleeds,  Cvnis 

ti 

11 

Farmer  and  Stock  Kaiser 

(3iristian  Co.  Ill 

39 

1 .''hull.  Martha  K. 

(( 

Wife  of  E.  S Shnll 

Illinoi.s 

70 

Sarah  A Her 

tt 

11 

AVife  of  C.  Meed.s 

Illinois 

50 

j Smith,  C.  11. 

( .^niith,  I'Jizabcih  A. 

tf 

Sec.  18 

Farmer  and  Stock  Raiser 

56 

Payne.  Frederic 

Palmer 

Palmer 

Farmer  and  Stock  Raiser 

Kentucky 

50 

“ 

18 

AA'ife  of  C.  H.  .Smith 

Jersey  Co.,  111. 
Henry  Co.,  Ivy. 
Macoiinin  Co.  11 

50 

AI.  A.  Roll 

AA'ife  of  F.  Pavne 

50 

{ Stark,  James  P. 

1 Lcnora  K.  Stone 

ti 

Morrlmlo 

it 

Jiiotiei-  of  the  Prnoe,  Collecting  and 
In^uranee  Agent 

Wif.i  of  .1.  I’.  Stark 

70 

70 

f Petrie,  John  AV. 

( Petrie,  Annie  M. 

tt 

ti 

it 

it 

Physician  and  Surgeon 
AVife  of  .J.  AV.  Petrie 

North  Carolina 
Ireland 

60 

66 

( Schmidt,  h'red. 

** 

.Sec.  21 

Ftinncrand  .Stock  Rtiiscr  l>rim.si:i 

()5 

( Purcell,  Patrick 

Taylorville 

Sec.  3 

Farmer  and  Slock  Raiser 

58 

( Schmidt,  Theresia 

ft 

21 

AA'ife  of  b red.  .Schmidt 

63 

1 Sarah  Young 

tt 

3 

AA'ife  of  P.  Purcell 

Kentucky 

54 

r Smallev,  1'. 

U 

34 

I'anncrand  Stock  Raiser 

67 

( Shake,  .John  AA'. 

Palmer 

20 

l•■nrmer.  Stock  Kaiser  au<l  Township 

Illinois 

53 

1 .Smallev,  Hiith 

■'!  1 Wife  of  '1'.  Smallev 

England 

67 

Alary  E.  George 

20 

Wifi'  of  .L  W.  Shake 

Kentucky 

51 

( isiniiikiii.  Will.  .M. 

G 

M-irri-.. 

Siile.sman  A Bookkeeper 

Marion  Co.,,S.C. 

62 

Sal  longer,  L. 

tt 

17 

Farmer  and  Stock  Raiser 

Ireland 

63 

1 l.avinaCrail 

‘‘ 

AVife  of  AV  M.  Simpkin 

( 'hri.stian  ( 'o.  Ill 

19 

Ruth  J.  Lawicv 

ii 

17 

AVife  of  L.  Sallenger 

Illinois 

63 

( Schmidt,  G.  11. 

“ 

M* n-hnnl  Taylor,  k In-iib  r In  Cloth- 

( iermany 

73 

( Sirnp.son,  J.  AI. 
1 AI.  ('.  Rick.s 

ti 

23 

I'nrimT  ami  Hreedor  nl'  Thoroughbred 

Kentucky 

48 

( ( arolitie  /immcrnian 

it 

Wife  of  G.  II.  Sohmidt 

ti 

78 

23 

Wife  of  ,1.  M.  Simpson 

Christian  Co.  Ill 

43 

'I'cppc,  Kcv.  ,\. 

n 

** 

Pasbir  M.  Mimriee  Cniholle  Church 

it 

/ / 

1 A'ancil,  .Andrew  .J. 

Morrisonville 

7 

Farmer  and  Stock  Raiser 

Illinois 

68 

1 I’vler.  t ieorgc 

G 

.Sec.  4 I'armcraml  Stock  Kaiser 

SwilZfilaml 

75 

Aliriam  Rond 

“ 

i 

Wife  of  .1.  A'ancil 

(( 

66 

1 Tvicr,  Margari’t 

G 

1 Wife  of  ( i.  Tvlcr 

75 

( A'aitarsdalc,  G.  H. 

Palmer 

Palmer 

Postmaster  and  Druggist 

76 

( Warren,  W'.  H. 

U 

MnrrU-.  I- 

.Miimirit  inrer  Carrin.'-  , Wiigrini*,  k 
Iti-pair  Shop 

Wil»-  W.  K.  Warrttn 

Laiiior  ( Te.\. 

75 

t AI.  I!,  ('avc 

‘‘ 

AA'ife  of  G.  11.  A'anarsiiale 

Kentucky 

76 

( W.irrcii,  W’.  .). 

it 

( o.  1 1 

75 

AValker,  AVilliam 

Tavlorville 

Sec.  6 

I'anuer  and  Stock  Raiser 

Ohio 

73 

1 While,  .1.  B. 

n 

.'^cc.  16  1 armcr  and  .Slock  Dealer 

( irct'ii  ( ( ). 

67 

Alary  Reed 

6 

Wife  of  A\'.  AA'alkcr 

ii 

75 

1 White.  L.  .1. 

16  Wife  of  .1.  B.  While 

71 

f AVill.  .lohn 

Palmer 

14 

I'arincraud  Slock  Raiser 

Pennsylvania 

63 

1 Wall,  Anson 

M'--  - !• 

Liv*Tvmun  iV  I>eiiler 

StiMihon  L’o.,  N.  V. 

«<  it 

67 

Rebecca  Craig 

(( 

It 

AA'ife  of  .1  AVill 

Ohio 

63 

■(  Wall,  S,  J. 

tt 

Wife  of  .A.  AA'tiil 

67 

( AVaiton.  George 

< 'lark.sdale 

riarksil’lc 

Physician  and  Druggist 

North  Carolina 

75 

1 Warren,  A.  W'. 

Sec.  16 

Farmei  ami  Slock  Kaiser 
AVife  of  A.  A\'.  AA'arreii 

1 lelaware  Co.  ( ). 

<19 

Annie  .Shehan 

** 

(( 

AA'ife  of  Dr.  AA'allon 

Ireland 

57 

t \\  arren,  .Sarah  L. 

16 

69 

( W’alker,  .1.  B. 

1 Walker,  l■■.mma  E. 

(( 

M-rrltM  lo 

< teiieriil  .Alerehamli.sc 
AVife  of  J 1!.  Wtilker 

( 'hrislian  ( 'o.  Ill 

•*»5 

67 

MA  V,— TOAVXSIIIP  13.  RAX(iE  1 WEST. 

** 

* * 

'loiitgoinor  yro.Ind 

Kentucky 

|49 

1 /immei  man.  < ieorgc 

Nokomis 

.Sec.  26 

I'armertmil  Stock  Raiser 

f riTinany 

79 

.M  Ismail,  .1.  A\'. 

Af^Hunijition 

Sec.  24 

l-'nrmer.  and  Kr<*eder  of  Fine  Stock 

1 /immerman.  .lohanna 

26 

AA'ifi!  of  G.  Ziiiimermaii 

it 

79 

!■' ranees  .1  ( .'ook 

(t 

24 

AVife  of  .1.  W.  Allsinan 

.Arkan.sas 

|50 

MAY — TOWXSIIIP  1>‘3.  RANGE  1 WEST. — [Continued.] 


STONINGTON— TOWNSHIP  14  N.  RANGE  1 W.— [(  ontinued  ] 


NAME. 

P,  OFFICE. 

RESID. 

OCCUPATION. 

NATIVITY. 

!i£ 

H 

H 

1 Atkinson,  John  S. 

Tavlorville 

Sec.  15 

Farmer  and  Stock  Raiser 

West  Virginia 

64 

\ Sarah  Sweeney 

15 

Wife  of  J.  S.  Atkinson 

64 

( Baker,  V.  A. 

15 

Farmer  and  Cattle  Feeder 

Kentucky 

55 

t Mary  H.  Reiser 

15 

Wife  of  V.  A.  Baker 

51 

J Bugg,  Edward 

“ 

28 

I'armer  and  Stock  Raiser 

Christian  Co.  Ill 

48 

\ Christina  Bailey 

28 

Wife  of  E.  Bugg 

New  York 

74 

( Brooks,  Chas. 

27 

Farmer  and  Stock  Raiser 

Fingland 

50 

1 Caroline  Jewett 

27 

Wife  of  C.  Brooks 

Ohio 

64 

Claw.son,  Samuel 

A.ssurnpti'n 

25 

Farmer  and  Stock  Raiser 

Christian  Co.  Ill 

58 

Clawson,  Joseph 

Dec'll  .Jan. 

16,  ’66 

Father  of  S.  Clawson 

Tennessee 

51 

Celia  J.  Densrnore 

19,  ’51 

First  wife  of  .Jos.  Claw.son 

Kentucky 

51 

Mary  J.  Robb 

15,  ’63 

Seco’d  wifeof.J  os  Clawson 

Illinois 

51 

Electa  Robb 

Assumpti’n 

Sec.  25 

Widow  of  .Jos.  Clawson 

Virginia 

82 

f Ettinger,  J.  William 

Tavlorville 

8 

Farmer  and  Stock  Raiser 

Pennsylvania 

68 

\ Mary  A.  Willey 

8 

Wife  of  W.  .J.  Ettinger 

Christian  Co.  Ill 

51 

/ Hackenberg,  Joseph 

Assumpti’n 

86 

Farmer  and  Breeder  of  Fine  Stock 

Pennsylvania 

56 

t Rachel  C.  Dar.st 

“ 

36 

Wife  of  J.  Hackenbei'i' 

Ohio 

56 

f Hazlett,  Robert  A. 

Tavlorville 

16 

Farmer  and  Stock  Raiser 

Ohio 

27 

\ Elizabeth  11.  Steel 

(( 

16 

Wife  of  It.  A.  Hazlett 

Kentucky 

29 

f Harris,  Tippo 

U 

21 

Farmer  and  Stock  Raiser 

Tennessee 

40 

■<  Mary  J.  Weller 

21 

Present  wife  of  T.  Harris 

Pennsylvania 

58 

( Mary  J.  Harker 

Dec’ll  Feb. 

22,  ’58 

First  wife  of  T.  Harris 

England 

46 

Half,  Charles 

Willey 

Sec.  7 

Grain  Buyer 

Christian  Co.  Ill 

4() 

) 

Hall,  George 

“ 

18 

Farmer  and  Stock  Raiser 

West  Virginia 

67 

Eliza  J.  F link 

(( 

18 

Wife  of  Geo.  Hall 

Christian  Co.  Ill 

45 

J 

Hall,  Wm.  B. 

G 

7 

FAirmer  and  Cattle  Feeder 

West  Virginia 

35 

1 

Eloisa  Moore 

Dec’ll  M’ch 

16,  ’54 

Wife  of  W.  B.  Hall 

Virginia 

38 

[ Herdman,  John  H. 

Taylorville 

Sec.  23 

F'arraer  and  Stock  Raisei- 

Pennsylvania 

59 

Ella  Finley 

G 

28 

Wife  of  J.  H.  Herdman 

Ireland 

55 

Eliza  Henry 

“ 

23 

Widow  of  Robt  Herdman 

Pennsylvania 

59 

1 

Long,  Sr.,  H.  B. 

Assumpti’n 

25 

Farmer  & Fine  Stock  R’r 

G 

64 

1 

Maria  McDowell 

25 

Wife  of  H.  B.  Lon^,  Sr. 

“ 

64 

r Leach,  W.  M. 

35 

Farmer  and  Stock  Itai.ser 

Virginia 

59 

Minerya  ,1.  Gresh 

Dec'll  Nov. 

9,  ’74 

First  wife  of  W.  M.  h. 

Indiana 

59 

1 

Maggie  D.  Stout. 

Assumpti’n 

Sec.  35 

Present  wife  of  W.  M.  L. 

Illinois 

71 

J 

McBride,  D.  L. 

Stonington 

1 

Pastor  Bap  Ch  .Stonington 

Montgo’y  Co  Pa 

72 

Mary  Bellamy 

“ 

1 

Wife  of  I).  L.  McBride 

Greene  Co.  111. 

69 

J 

Nelson,  John  E. 

Taylorville 

32 

Farmer  and  Stock  Raiser 

Sweden 

72 

1 

Christina  Anderson 

32 

Wife  of  J.  E.  Nelson 

G 

71 

Peck,  Richard 

Asstimpti’n 

36 

Farmer,  St’k  R’r  & Ass’r 

England  , 

50 

1 

Naomi  Gould 

36 

Wife  of  R.  Peck 

West  Virginia 

50 

Ponting,  Tom  C. 

Stonington 

3 Grazer  and  Brdr  FineSlk 

Somersetshire 

50 

Spates,  Alfred 

Willey 

6 Farmer  and  Cattle  Feeder 

Tennessee 

42 

Mary  E.  Limer 

G 

6 Wife  of  A.  Spates 

England 

61 

Sanders,  N.  D. 

Stonington 

1 

F'armer  and  Stock  Raiser 

Connecticut 

37 

Sarah  A.  Larkham 

1 

Wife  of  N.  D.  Sanders 

51 

Smith,  John 

Taylorville 

15 

Farmer  and  Stock  Raiser 

England 

78 

Sarah  E.  Lane 

15 

Wife  of  J.  .Smith 

Illinois 

78 

Shetlar,  John 

21 

Farmer  and  Stock  Raiser 

Ohio 

67 

Eliza  J.  Clemens 

G 

21 

Wife  of  J.  Shetlar 

Pennsylvania 

67 

J 

Ted  lie,  William 

22 

Farmer  and  Stock  Raiser 

Ireland 

50 

i 

Tedlie,  Matilda 

22 

SDter  of  Wm.  Tedlie 

G 

50 

J 

Willey,  D.  C. 

Willey 

Willey 

Farmer  and  Blacksmith 

Ohio 

44 

1 

Mary  E.  Black 

G 

Wife  of  D.  C.  Willey 

Illinois 

50 

Weiser,  F.  F. 

G 

General  Merchant,  P.  M.  and  Station 

G 

70 

J 

' Waddle,  Benj.  E. 

Sec.  8 

Farmer  and  .Stock  R.aiser 

West  Virginia 

67 

Mary  E.  Maxwell 

“ 

8 

Wife  of  B.  E.  Waddle 

67 

J 

Willey,  Nancy 

G 

Willey 

Widow  ofStephen  Willev 

Tennessee 

33 

1 

Willey,  Stephen 

Dec’d  Aug. 

2,  ’70 

F'armer  and  Cattle  Dealer 

Ohio 

44 

J 

Waddle,  Josiah  A. 

Tavlorville 

Sec.  23  Farmer  and  Stock  Raiser 

West  Virginia 

57 

1 

R.  Anna  Fulton 

G 

23'Wifeof  J.  A.  Waddle 

Pennsylvania 

75 

STONINGTON— TOWNSHIP  14  NORTH.  RANGE  1 ATEST. 

J 

Bowman,  Asa 

Stonington 

Sec.  29 

Horticulturist 

Warren  Co.  0. 

57 

i 

Bowman,  Mary 

G 

29 

Wife  of  A.  Bowman 

Greene  Co.  III. 

57 

) 

Baughman,  S.  E. 

7 

Farmer  and  Stock  Raiser 

Summit  Co.  0. 

65 

1 

Eliza  A.  Serherling 

G 

7 

Wife  of  S.  E.  Baughman 

G 

65 

J 

Bellamy  John 

Blue  Mound 

10 

Farmer  and  .Stock  Raiser 

Greene  Co.  111. 

70 

i 

Sarah  J.  Denton 

10 

Wifeof.J.  Bellamy 

Christian  Co.  Ill 

1 

Brown,  Randolph  C. 

4 

FVirmer  and  Stock  Rai.ser 

Germanv 

66 

Rosine  J.  Schafenaker 

G 

4 

Wife  of  R.  C.  Brown 

G 

66 

' Covington,  Robert  W. 

Stonington 

27 

F5irmer  and  Stock  Raiser 

Albemarle  Co.  Va. 

57 

1 

Martha  V.  Van  Dorn 

27 

Wife  ofR.  W.  Covington 

Madison  Co.  111. 

68, 

J 

■ Conover,  .James 

StoniDg'n 

Pro[)’r  Stonington  Hotel 

Adams  Co.  Pa. 

73 

1 

Letha,  Thoma-s 

G 

G 

Wife  of  James  Conover 

Pulaski  Co.  Ky. 

73 

Chapman,  Noyes  B. 

Sec.  25 

Farmer  and  Stock  Raiser 

New  Loud.  Co  Con 

37 

Ellen  A.  Ilulett 

G 

25 

Wife  of  N.  B.  Cha[)man 

Ohio 

70 

Doyle,  Daniel 

G 

30 

Farmer  & Stock  Rai.ser 

Ireland 

69 

Mary  Kerwin 

G 

30 

VVife  of  D.  Dovle 

69 

( Dwyer,  Patrick 

G 

28 

Farmer  and  Stock  Raiser 

68 

. Mary  Stapleton 

28 

Wife  of  P.  Dwyer 

68 

f Evemever,  Henry 

G 

17 

Farmer  and  Stock  Raiser 

Ca-ss  Co.  111. 

77 

. Lizzie  Branner 

G 

17 

Wife  of  H.  Evemeyer 

Wash’n  Co.  Ind 

68 

' Emerson,  Ann  E. 

G 

33 

Farming& Stock  Raising 

Fayette  Co.  Ky. 

54 

, Emerson,  Richard  N. 

Dec’d  M’ch 

10,  ’71 

Late  hush  of  A E Emerson 

54 

Porter,  D.  W. 

Stonington 

SUming’n 

Physician  and  Surgeon 

Belmont  Co.  0. 

78 

1 Peabody,  Wm.  S. 

G 

Sec.  36 

Farmer  and  Stock  Raiser 

New  Loud.  Co  Con 

37 

L Sarah  K.  Button 

G 

36 

Wife  of  W.  S.  Peabody 

Windham  Co.  “ 

39 

NAME. 

P.  OFFICE. 

RESIO. 

OCCUPATION. 

NATIVITY. 

e 

F" 

( Peabody,  C.  A. 

Stonington 

G 

Sec.  25 

Farmer  and  Stock  Raiser 

Christian  Co.  O. 

48 

j Mary  E.  Shaw 

25 

Wife  of  C.  A.  Peabody 

Pickaway  Co.  O 

65 

j Peabody,  Wm.  E. 

25 

Farmer  and  Stock  Raiser 

Christian  Co.  Ill 

46 

1 Ellen  Strain 

25 

Wife  of  W.  E.  Peabodv 

“ 

49 

1 Peabody,  James  A. 

15 

Foamier  and  Stock  Rai.ser 

44 

t Sarah  E.  Unit 

G 

15 

Wife  of  .J.  A.  Peabodv 

N.Lond’n.Conn  (i7 

( Peabody,  Samuel  N. 

G 

35 

Fm’r,  St’k  R’r  & Fr’t  G’r 

89 

< .Jane  N.  Burnham 

Dec’d  .July 

1856 

First  wife  S.  N.  Peabody 

East  Hartford  “ 

35 

( Maria  A.  Parkhurst 

Stonington 

Sec.  35 

Present  wife  S N Peabodv 

Endfield,  Conn. 

56 

j Slaughter,  .J.  W. 

Ston’n 

General  Merchant 

Sullivan  Co  Ten 

70 

[ Slaughter,  Susan 

G 

“ 

VVife  of  J.  W.  Slaughter 

Crawford  Co  Ind 

70 

f Schuyler,  .James  J. 

G 

Sec.  20 

F'’armer  and  Stock  Raiser 

Genesee  Co  N Y 

63 

1 Marv  E.  Smith 

Dec’d  Jan. 

19,  ’79 

Former  wife  J J Schuvler 

Dearb’rn  Co  Ind  6.3 

f Sohrantz,  Eph. 

Stonington 

Sec.  18 

Farmer  and  Stock  Raiser 

Lancaster  Co  Pa 

67 

t Nancy  Mohler 

18 

Wife  of  Fi.  Schrantz 

67 

f Schrantz,  Lee 

18 

Farmer  and  Stock  Raiser 

Stark  Co.  Ohio 

67 

[ Emma  Wood 

G 

18 

Wife  of  I.iee  Schrantz 

Piatt  Co.  111. 

56 

j Schrantz,  Svlvester 

G 

8 

Farmer  and  Stock  Raiser 

Stark  Co.  Ohio 

67 

1 Levina  E.  Waltz 

G 

8 

Wife  of  S.  Sclirantz 

Summit  Co.  0. 

73 

f Schrantz,  Wilson 

18 

F’armer  and  Stock  Raiser 

Stark  Co.  Ohio 

67 

(_  Marv  Huxley 

G 

18 

Wife  of  W.  Schrantz 

Summit  Co.  O. 

65 

f Smith,  James  L. 

G 

18 

Farmer  and  Stock  Raiser 

VV’ash’n  Co.  Ind 

68 

1 Marv  M.  Witmeyer 

G 

18 

Wife  of  J.  L.  Smith 

Stark  Co.  Ohio 

68 

/ Stone,  Richard 

G 

14 

Farmer  and  Mason 

Somersetsh’eEn 

72 

(.  Frances  Livergood 

G 

14 

Wife  of  R.  Stone 

Sangamon  Co  11. 

61 

f Stillman,  Frank 
\ Marv  F.  Bennett 

G 

Dec.  Nov. 

9 

16,  ’78 

F'armer  and  Stock  Kaiser 
Late  wife  of  F’.  Stillman 

New  Y’ork 
Portsmo’th  CoO 

80 

f Stapleton,  Matt. 

Blue  Mound 

Sec.  11 

F’armer  and  Stock  Raiser 

I reland 

66 

I,  Mary  Leonard 

G 

11 

Wife  of  M.  Stapleton 

Sangamon  Co  111 

69 

( Sanders,  J.  L. 

Stoninp'Ion 

36 

Farmer  and  Stock  Raiser 

Connecticut 

37 

( Achsah  F.  Palmer 

36 

Wife  of  .J.  L.  Sanders 

U 

54 

Schaub,  Jacob 

G 

27 

Farmer  and  Stock  Rai.ser 

Germany' 

65 

f Temple,  R.  B. 

G 

Ston’n 

Stock  Dealer  & Mercliant 

Knox  Co.  Tenn 

69 

1 Mattie  A.  I^eabody 

G 

Wife  of  R.  B.  Temple 

Christian  Co.  Ill 

53 

1 Witmeyer,  Levi 

G 

Sec.  18 

F’armer  and  Stock  Raiser 

Lancaster  Co  Pa 

68 

\ Susan  Schlatt 

G 

18 

VVife  of  Jj.  Witmeyer 

.Stark  Co.  Ohio 

6.8 

J Wetzel,  Moses  R. 

G 

24 

Farmer  and  Teacher 

Lombard  Co  Pa 

64 

1 Emily  M.  Eaton 

G 

24 

VV’ife  of  M.  R.  Wetzel 

.Sullivan  Co  Ind 

48 

C Wilcox,  James  E. 

11 

Farmer  and  Stock  Raiser 

Sangamon  Co  111 

68 

( Marv  G.  Sims 

G 

11 

Wife  of  .J.  E.  Wilcox 

Morgan  Co.  Ill 

68 

J Young,  B.  F. 

Stonington 

8 

F’mr,  St’k  R r A Teacher 

Stark  Co.  Ohio 

67 

\ S.  F^.  Schrantz 

G 

8 

Wife  of  B.  F’.  Young 

G 

67 

/ Young,  Leander  R. 

Willey  Sta. 

31 

Farmer  and  Stock  Raiser 

Trigg  Co.  Ky. 

33 

[ Louisa  J . Speight 

G 

31 

VVife  of  L.  R.  Young 

Dixon  Co.  Tenn  42 

TOWNSHIP  14  NORTH.  RANGE  3 WEST. 


j Council,  A.  M. 

Edinburg 

Sec.  29 

Farmer  and  Stock  Kaiser 

Christian  Co.  Ill 

43 

1 Martha  Williams 

G 

29 

VVife  of  A.  M.  Council 

Sangamon  Co.  11 

65 

f Campbell,  James  M. 

G 

Edb’rg 

Farmer  & .Stock  Shipper 

30 

\ Nancy  Jones 

G 

Wife  of  J.  M.  Campbell 

East  Tenn. 

57 

/ De  Camp,  Daniel 

G 

(( 

F iner,  Brd'r  Blooded  Horses  & F.  M. 

Giles  Co.  \’a. 

42 

(,  Pernecy,  Langley 

G 

VV’ife  of  D.  De  Camp 

Christian  Co  Ky 

28 

1 Greenwood,  Basil 

G 

G 

Phys’n,  Electric’ll  & Pro.  Coal  Shaft 

Kentucky 

64 

\ Eliza  Ann  Townsend 

a 

G 

VV^ife  of  Dr.  Greenwood 

CapeMavCoNJ 

65 

f Harrold,  Wm. 

G 

B’t  & Shoe  Mf.  & Not  Pub 

England 

71 

1 Mary  J.  Murray 

G 

Wife  of  W.  Harrold 

Laselle  Co.  111. 

71 

f Halford,  'W’m.  'VV. 

G 

Fm’r,  .St’k  Raiser  & F”der 

Wayne  Co  Tenn 

34 

J Susan  Hutchings 

Dec’d  May 

16,  ’46 

First  wife  W.  W.  Halford 

Rockb’ge  Co  \’a 

41 

j Orinda  Bankson 

Edinburg 

Edb’rg 

Divorced  wife  “ 

Fayette  Co.  111. 

.50 

[ Marv  L.  Lee 

G 

Present  wife  “ 

64 

f Hart,  Isaac 

Sec.  1 

Farmer  and  Stock  Raiser 

Preble  Co.  Ohio 

55 

i Elizabeth  May 

Dec’d  M’ch 

28,  ’69 

Late  wife  of  Isaac  Hart 

“ 

55 

f Flill,  T.  B. 

\ Lacie  T.  Harris 

Edinburg 

Edb’rg 

Citv  Marshall 
Wife  of  T.  B.  Hill 

VV’arren  Co.  111.  68 
V’irginia 

f Harrington,  George  P. 

(( 

Banker 

Schuvler  Co  III 

71 

1 Flmma  J.  Wilkinson 

G 

G 

VV’ife  of  G.  P.  Harrington 

Christian  Co.  Ill 

50 

f Ludwick,  Hiram  S. 

G 

Sec.  27 

F’armer 

Rockb’ge  Co  Va  57 

1 Sarah  C.  .Spindle 

27 

VV’ife  of  II.  S.  Ludwick 

.\ugusta  Co.  Va 

44 

f McCague,  Walker  H. 

12 

F'armer  and  Stock  Raiser 

Springfield,  III. 

76 

1 Alice  L.  Patterson 

12 

VV'ife  of  VV’.  H.  YIcC'ague 

.Scott  Co.  111. 

78 

/ Melugin,  .Johannah 
1 Melugin,  Thomas 

29 

F’armer  and  Stock  Raiser 

Washington  DC 
Dixon  Co.  Tenn 

44 

Dee’ll  M’ch 

6,  ’77 

Late  husband  J.  Melugin 

32 

f Milligan,  G.  W. 

FIdinburg 

G 

Edb’rg 

Druggist  & Deputy  P.  M. 

Christian  Co  111 

53 

] Eliza  M.  F'irey 

VV’ife  of  G.  VV.  Milligan 

57 

( .John  Henry  F’irey, 

G 

G 

Druggist 

59 

f Matthews,  Alexander 

G 

Sec.  35 

F'armer  & .1  ust  ice  of  I’eace 

Tennessee 

18 

j Malinda  Miller 

Dec’d  Apr. 

16,  ’46 

First  wife  of  A.  Matthews 

Kentucky 

26 

( Mary  Penter 

FIdinburg 

Sec.  35 

Present  wife  “ 

Madison  Co.  Ill 

50 

f Mathews,  George  W. 

U 

36 

F’armer  and  Stock  Rai.ser 

Callaway  Co  Mo 

50 

1 Milla  M.  Burris 

G 

36 

VVife  of  Geo.  W.  Mathews 

Shelby  Co.  111. 

56 

f May,  Jacob 

G 

35 

F’armer  and  Stock  Kaiser 

Preble  Co.  Ohio 

56 

y Margaret  Spivey 

Dec’d  Dec. 

12,  ’72 

F’irst  wife  of  J.  May 

Butler  Co.  Ohio 

56 

( Amanda  .J.  Mathews 

Edinburg 

See.  35 

Present  wife  of  .J.  May 

Callaway  Co  Mo 

50 

f Peek,  Wm.  M. 

G 

Edb’rg 

Dl’r  Dry  Goods  & Groc’s 

Boone  Co.  Kv. 

48 

1 Elizabeth  Stevens 

G 

G 

VV’ife  of  Wm.  M.  Peek 

G 

48 

f Payne,  C.  E. 

G 

Sec.  32 

Farmer  and  Stock  Raiser 

Suffolk  Co.  N.J. 

65 

1 Mary  F.  Williams 

“ 

32 

Wife  of  C.  E.  Payne 

Sangamon  Co  11 

51 

TO^VXSHIP  14  Js’ORTH.  RANGE  3 WEST.— [Continued] 


N'AME. 


P.  OFFICE.  RESID. 


OCCUPATION. 


NATIVITY. 


f Kichardson,  Win. 

I Caroline  Whitraer 
] Ricliardson,  Isaac 
t Richardson,  Loui.sa 
f Stoke.s,  Iverson 
1,  Louisa'  Ashley 
f Williams,  Geo. 

I Mary  Humphrys 
f Wilkinson,  Geo.  C. 
\ Lizzie  Vandeveer 


Sharpsburg  Sec.  33  Farmer  and  Stock  Raiser  Christian  Co.  Ill  44 
“ 33  Wile  of  W.  Richardson  Licking  Co.  O.  61 

Dec’d  Jan.  8,  ’73  Father  of  “ Kentucky  I'i"; 

Sharpsburg  Sec.  33  Mother  of  “ Cliristian  Co  Ky  41 

Edinburg  3 F’mr,  St’k  R’r  & Carpe’r  Todd  Co.  Ky.  29 

“ 3 Wife  of  1.  Stokes  Sangamon  Co  II  43 

“ Sec.  32  Farmer  & Stock  Raiser  Franklin  Co.  O.  51 

“ “ Wife  ofG.  IVilliams  Fleming  Co.  Ky  51 

“ Edb’rg  Liv’yman  & Dl’r  Ag.  Imp  Christian  Co.  Ill  41 
“ “ Wife  of  G.  IVilkinson  “ i55 


LOCUST— TOIVNSHIP  13  NORTH.  RANGE  1 IVEST. 


ROSEMONI)— TOWNSHIP  11  N.  RANGE  1 W.— [(  ontinled  ] 


/ 


Bizkerdike,  IVm. 

Marv  Dusenburv 
Ballard,  T.  R. 
Elizabeth  Depew 
Bates,  Z.  F. 

.Ioanna  S.  Murniy 
Cu.ssins.  J.  S.  C. 

Ella  Lord 
Fo.x,  J.  T. 

.\ngeline  Fuffman 
Hunter,  J.  C. 

Agnes  M.  Robinson 
Hunter,  John  IV. 
Martha  J.  Vermilion 
.Johnson,  Benjamin  E. 
Margaret  E.  Moore 
Lawton,  .Tames 
Maria  Arrand 
Lawttm,  A.  E. 

Fannie  E.  Painter 
Lawton,  Stitnucl  C. 
Irena  A.  Pullen 
Large,  Richard 
Vliirgtiret  McGinnis 
Martha  A.  Shankland 
Large,  George  G. 

.Mary  A.  O.  Cleary 
.NIontgomery,  Ale.x. 
Marion  Carswell 
McShea,  Royal 
Mary  A.  McLeod 
Okey,  Mervin  G. 
Elizalieth  J.  McVicker 
Shepherd,  E.  R. 

Sarah  P.  Ring 
Stevens,  A.  .J. 
Philomen  Prince 
.Siittle,  .Jonas 
.Jane  Lemmon 
Maria  E.  .Jones 
Ward,  John 
Marv  J.  Grillith 


Millersv’le  Sec.  25  Farmer  and  Stock  Raiser  England  70 

“ 25  Wife  of  IV.  Bickerdike  Ohio  70 

“ Mill’vle  Grain  and  Ilav  Dealer  “ 73 

“ “ Wife  of  T.  R.  Ballard  “ _ 73 

Owaneco  Sec.  30  Farmer  and  Stock  Raiser  Illinois  67 

“ 30  Wife  of  Z.  F.  B.ites  Ohio  56 

Ottaueco  Pliy'n,  Surg'ii,  Druggist  A*  Sup'visor  (8 

“ “ IVife  of  Dr.  Cussins  Illinois  79 

“ Sec.  21  Farmer  and  Stock  RaLser  Virginia  62 

“ 21  Wife  of  J.  T.  Fox  Ohio  62 

“ ow.iiicco  Dry  G’ds,  Groc’s  P.  M.  “ 74 

“ “ Wife  of  J.  C.  Hunter  “ 74 

“ Sec.  33  Farmer  and  Stock  Rai.ser  “ 52 

“ 33  Wife  of  .1.  W.  Hunter  Illinois  55 

“ 15  Farmer  and  Stock  Raiser  Ohio  59 

“ 15  Wife  of  B.  E.  Johnson  Indiana  66 

“ 4 Farmer  and  vStock  Rai.ser  Ohio  53 

“ 4 Wife  of  A.  E.  Lawton  Canada  68 

Taylorville  4 Farmer  and  Stock  Raiser  Ohio  53 

“ 4 IVife  of  A.  E.  Lawton  Illinois  71 

“ 4 Farmer  and  Stock  Raiser  Canada  53 

“ 4 Wife  of  S.  C.  Lawton  Pennsylvania.  41 

Millersv’le  31  Farmer  and  Stock  Raiser  Ireland  56 

Dec’d  Feb.  9,  1876  Late  wife  of  R.  Large  Pennsylvania  56 
Millersv’le  Sec.  31  Pre.sent  wife  of  R.  Large  Ohio  !78 

“ 32  F’rar,  Stock  & Bee  Raiser  “ 56 

“ 32  Wife  of  G.  G.  Large  Ireland  '66 

Owaneco  owimcco  Saddle  & Harness  Maker  Scotland  '73 

“ “ Wife  of  A.  Montgomery  “ 73 

“ “ Phys’n,  Siirg’n  & Grocer  Canada  68 

“ “ Wife  of  Dr.  McShea  “ 68 

Millersv’le  Miiicrsvc  l'’mer  and  .'^tock  Raiser  Ohio  67 

“ “ Wife  of  M.  G.  Okey  “ 67 

.Vssumpti’n  Sec.  1 Farmer  and  Stock  Raiser  “ 61 

“ 1 Wife  of  E.  R.  Shepherd  Virginia  64 

“ 2 Fanner  and  Stock  Raiser  Illinois  65 

“ 2 Wife  of  A.  J.  .Stevens  Christian  Co.  Ill  .58 

Taylorville  7 Farmer  and  .Stock  Raiser  Virginia  |52 

Dec'll  Oct.  1871  First  wife  of  J.  Suttle  England  53 

Taylorville  Sec.  7 Present  “ “ Virginia  71 

Owaneco  23  Fin’r,  Blacks’tb  A Miller  Ohio  65 

“ 23  Wife  of  J.  Ward  “ '6.5 


NAME. 

P.  OFFICE. 

RESID. 

OCCUPATION. 

NATIVITY. 

Q 

f Leach,  Marlin  B. 

Pana 

25 

Farmer 

North  Carolina 

68 

1,  Maggie  Brad  lev 

25 

Wife  of  M.  B.  Leach 

( 'hristian  Co.  Ill 

57 

f Lakin,  T.  N. 

Owaneco 

5 

Farmer  and  Teacher 

Tuscarawas  Co.,  OIilo 

54 

I.  Rebecca  Hunter 

5 

Wife  of  T.  N.  Lakin 

53 

( Law,  Thomas 

Rosemond 

7 

Farmer  and  Stock  Raiser 

Tyrone  Co..  Ireland 

05 

\ Catharine  Harbor 

/ 

Wife  of  T.  Law 

Patrick  ( 'o.,  A’lr 

65 

( Little,  Robert 

36 

Farmer  and  Stock  Raiser 

Hillsboro  Co..  N.  H. 

64 

( Charlotte  Pike 

U 

36 

Wife  of  R.  Little 

Grafton  Co.,  N.  H 

64 

( McElrov,  .Joseph  W. 

G 

18 

Fanner  and  .Supervisor 

Harrison  ( ’u.,  0 

62 

t McElrov,  Emma 

(( 

18 

AVite  of  J.  AA'.  McElrov 

Preble  Co.,  0. 

62 

I McAfee,  Robert  ,J. 

“ 

28 

Farmer  and  Stock  Raiser 

Morgan  Co.,  III. 

59 

1 Anna  E.  Large  o 

28 

AA'ife  of  R.  .1.  McAfee 

Noble  Co.,  O. 

56 

/ Murrv,  J.  II. 

Owaneco 

6 

Farmer  and  Stock  Rai.ser 

FranklinCo.,Pa 

56 

[ .Ann  C'atb.  Wolfkill 

6 

AA'ife  of  J.  II.  Murry 

((  ( • 

56 

f Pepper,  Joshua 

Rosemond 

5 

Farmer 

Virginia 

54 

1 Catharine  White 

5 

AA'ife  of  J.  Pepper 

Maryland 

54 

/ Russell,  Rufus 

24 

Farmer  and  Stock  Raiser 

Massachusetts 

56 

1 Dollv  .S.  Bissell 

ii 

24 

AA'ife  of  R.  Russell 

Connecticut 

57 

I Roberts,  .James 

i 

Hosemond 

Retired  Cajiitalist 

Harrison  Co.,  0. 

66 

1 Elizabeth  Atkinson 

i( 

AA’ife  of  .1.  Roberts 

Jeflerson  Co.,  0. 

66 

( Stipe,  Charles 

Pana 

Sec.  25 

Farmer  and  Stock  Raiser 

Grayson  Co.,  W.Va 

66 

\ Nanev  Jane  Casev 

25 

AA’ife  of  C.  Stijie 

Garrett  Co.,  Kv. 

66 

! Titchenell,  Elvira  ,S. 

Rosemond 

25 

Retired.  AV’idow  of  1 

Braxtmi  Co.,  W.Va 

67 

1 Titchenell,  Moses 

Dec’d  Mav  23,  ’76 

Moses  Titchenell.  [ 

Preston  Co., W.Va  gj 

( AVilson,  Abraham 

Rosemond 

Sec.  6 

Farmer  and  Blacksmith 

Harrison  Co.,0. 

50 

t Jennie  .Mull 

Dec’d  M’ch  7,  1874 

Late  AA’ife  of  A.  AA’ilson 

64 

GREENWOOD- TOWNSHIP  11  NORTH.  RANGE  3 AVEST. 


f Atki.son,  James 
( Atkison,  Sarah  A. 

{ Busby,  Madi,son 
Busby,  Amanda  J. 

( Jemima  Selby 
( Mary  A.  Craig 
[ Catharine  Rowland 
Busby,  .las.  R. 
t Comiiti.n,  Elisha 
i Compton  M r.«.  A. 

( Compton,  A.  K. 

\ Compton,  Theresa 
I Dickson,  E.  P. 

J Dickson,  .Ariniss 
I Dickson,  Sarah 
[ Dickson,  Henry  C. 

( Estabrook,  .James  W. 

I Estabrook,  .Susan  E. 

I Finley,  James 
t Agnes  Kirkpatrick 
Goodan  Brothers 
j Ilamell,  'I'homas 
[ Ilamell,  .Sarah  E. 
/.lohnson,  Win. 
(.Johnson.  Mary  M. 

( .Johnson,  .John 


Nokoinis 

II 

Dec’d  Mav 


Nokomis 


Tavlorville 


Nokomis 

Taylorville 

Nokomis 

Rosetnond 

Nokoinis 


j Brown,  John  M. 

I Brown,  M.  A. 
j Butterfield,  .John  S. 
( Maria  Tope 
( Bolles,  F.  B. 

Bolh’s,  E. 

( Phodie  Swift 
I t'h.xsc,  William  A. 

1 Mary  M.  Cook 
( ('arper,  B,  J’’. 

I Clari‘^-a  B.  Childs. 

1 ! D riiig,  < liarles  1'. 

( Mary  .1.  Bailey 
( Elicrt,  Frederic  C. 

' l•',bcrt,  Pliili|i 
( J’aiilina  Fischer 
I J-iwing,  B.  .S. 

I ( 'arolinc  Siiii)isoii 
I I'ischer,  I'erdinand 
I .Maggie  I''.  Bess 
/ Fiiicli.  J.  H. 

I .Martha  Wall 
J Giitli,  l/Oiii,s 
\ (Jiitli,  Caroline 
/ Low,  David 
1 Rosanna  J’ike 


OAVN.SIIir  11  NORTH.  RANGE  1 AVEST. 

- Johnson,  George 
( .lolinson,  Mary 
( Klinefelter,  Cornel’s  B. 
\ Agnes  P.  iVIiller 
f Luzader,  Mathew 

U 

Taylorville 

Nokomis 

24 

24 

3 

3 

23 

o 

r. 

C 

Sec.  23  Farmer 

Kentucky 

65 

■ Luzader,  .Annie 
( Luzader,  E.  !S. 

Dec’d  hu.sb 

23 

of 

AA'ife  of  Jidm  M.  Brown 

(I 

65 

j Miller,  .lolin  AA'. 

Pana 

See.  15 

(< 

6 Farmer  and  .Stock  Rtiiser 

Carroll  Co.,  (). 

73 

t.  Miller,  .liilia  A. 

“ 

U)| 

ti 

(iWifeof.I  S.  B. 

(1  (< 

73 

1 Miller,  Charles 

Palmer 

l\ 

1 1 Farmer  :nid  Stock  Raiser 

('hristianCo.,111 

5!) 

1 Mary  Greenwood 

“ 

7, 

ii 

J4  Fanner  and  Stock  Raiser 

.Alafsacluisetts 

58 

f I’ittenger,  John 
\ Pittenger,  Julia  Ann 

Rosemond 

• 1 

14  AVifeof  E.  Bolles 

“ 

58 

“ 

1 

<( 

13  Fruit  J Irower 

Boston,  Alass 

57 

f Randle,  Nathan 

Nokomis 

33 

13  AVife  of  AV.  A.  Chase 

Baltimore,  Md- 

57 

1 Randle.  Martha  .Ann 

“ 

33 

21  I'liriiier 

rp.lmr  Co.,  W.  Vii. 

69 

( Randle,  R H. 

ii 

34 

24  Wife  of  B.  F.  < iirper 

Groiol  Ilopl.n.  Midi. 

77 

1 Randle,  Rebecca  A. 

II 

34 

<< 

Ko«eniond  l*n«(nr  UoMKreKAtiuiinl  Clinri'li 

New  York, 

69 

[.Simpson,  Wesley 

Roscnioinl 

12 

tt 

“ AVife  of  ( '•  !•’.  Dering 

Jersev  ( o..  111. 

67 

- .Simpson,  Sarah  .1. 

Dec'll  May 

: 0 ’73 

Owaneco 

.See.  (i  I'aniier  tiiid  Stock  Raiser  Tii.i-nrnwn.  c.,..  o. 

68 

1 .Simpson,  Martha  ,S. 

Rosemond 

Sec.  12 

n 

6 Farmer  and  .'stock  Raiser 

( Jeniiaiiy 

68 

f Shafer,  11.  J. 

Taylorville 

.3 

il 

1)  Wife  of  P.  Ebert 

Pcniiay  1 vaiiia 

(is 

1 Sliafer,  Ann  Nora 

“ 

;i 

KoMpmon<l 

1 1 Fanner  and  .“stock  Raiser 

.Icllcrson  ( 'o.,  O 

68 

/ Siiiioiisoii.  .Jacob 

Palmer 

t> 

1 1 Wife  of  R.  Ewing 

I larrison  ( 'o.,  < ). 

68 

1 Simonson,  Mattie 

“ 

6 

IcbTli-'  riiv'lolan  mid  SiirK«'<m 

t !e.  many 

78 

f .Schaefer,  .Jacoh 

Nokomis 

30 

“ AVife  of  Dr.  Fisidier 

( Jliio 

55 

I Schaefer,  < 'atheriiie 

“ 

.30 

.See.  35  Farmer  and  .“slock  Raiser 

England 

72 

1 Walkiiis,  E.  L. 

Pana 

14 

.35  AVife  of  J.  11.  Fill!  h 

.New  York 

72 

1 Watkins,  Catherine  C. 

“ 

14 

no<.nioti.i  I iriiggist 

Eraiice 

59 

j AA’arrcii,  AA’ni.  M. 

Rosemond 

13 

i< 

“ AVife  of  L.  fJiitli 

( ierinany 

60 

, t,  Warren,  Anna  M. 

“ 

13 

u 

.Sec.  ‘25  Fanner  and  Slock  Raiser 

North  Carolina 

60 

f Zimmermanii,  Henry 

Nokomis 

20 

It 

25  Wife  of  D.  Low 

U II 

60 

1 Ziiniiiertnan,  .Antje 

II 

“20 

Pana  .Sec.  12  Farmer  and  .Stock  Raiser  Harrison  Co.  O. 

“ 12  Wife  of  .J.  Atkison  “ 

27  Farmer  and  A.ssessor  Nicholas  Co  Ky 
27  Present  wife  of  M.  Busby  Illinois 
1848  Former  wife  “ Kentucky 
1851  .Second  wife  “ Indiana  51 

18()0  Third  wife  “ Kentucky  52 

Sec.  34  Farmer  and  Stock  Raiser  Christian  Colli  51 
32  Farmer  and  J.  P.  Coshocton  Co.  O 56 

32  Wife  of  ii.  Compton  Bond  Co.  III.  61 

32  Farmer  and  Stock  Raiser  f’oshocton  (’o.  0 56 
32  Wife  of  A.  K.  Compton  England  73 

10  Farmer  and  .Stock  Raiser  Christian  Co.  Ill  49 
‘‘  10  Wife  of  E.  P.  Dickson  Virginia  72 

“ 10  Mother  of  “ Sangamon  Co  II  37 

Dec’d  F'eb.  6,  ’72  Late  husb.  Sarah  Dickson  .St.  Clair  Co.  111.  37 
Morrison’le  Sec.  18  Farmer  and  Stock  Raiser  Madison  Co.  111.  66 
“ 18  Wife  of  .1.  W.  Estabrook  “ 66 

36  Farmer  and  Stock  Raiser  Harrison  Co.  O.  56 
36  Wife  of  J.  Finley  Perry  Co.  Pa.  71 

10  F’mers,  St’k  R’rs  & D'lrs  Illinois  45 

20  Farmer  and  Stock  Raiser  Hamilton  Co.  O 
20  Wife  of  T.  Ilamell  Virginia 

11  Foamier  and  Stock  Raiser  New  Jensey 

11  Wife  of  W.  .Johnson  Carroll  Co. Ohio 
24  Farmer  Germany 

ler  [Johnson  “ 

Motherof  John  & George  “ 

Farmer  and  Stock  Raiser  Penn.sylvania 
Wife  of  C.  B.  Klinefelter  Coshocton  Co  O. 
Farmer  and  .Stock  Raiser  Taylor  Co  W Va 
Mother  of  Matt.  Liizader  “ 

Annie  Luzader — died 
Farmer  and  Supervisor 


Wife  of  C.  Miller 
Farmer  A .Stock  Rais 
Wife  of  J.  Pittenger 


Jan.  17,  1877 
Tuscaraw’st’oO 
Marion  Co.  O. 

1 Germany 
Penn.sylvania 
Harrison  Co.  O. 

■ ( ’oshocton  ( 'o.  O 

■ Madison  Co.  111. 
Indiana 
Harrison  Co.  O 


54 

59 

()3 

63 
73 
73 
73 

51 

52 
70 
70 
70 
52 
50 

65 

66 

64 
64 
56 

56 
78 
54 

57 


3 Farmer 

Wife  of  11.  J., Shafer 
I’m’rA  Bd’r  FineCattleA 
Wife  J.  Simonson  [Hogs 
Farmer  and  Slock  Raiser 
Wife  of  .J.  .Schaefer 
F'mrand  B'dr  Fine  Slock 
Wife  of  E.  L.  Watkins 
F’tiirand  B’dr  Fine  Slock 
Wife  of  Will.  M.  Warren 


.Jell’erson  Co  Ky  61 
Germany  55 

Kentucky  30 

Norway 
M ass. 

Wurteinb’g,  Gcr 


(iarroll  Co.  O. 
Taylor  Co.  Va. 
Piatt  Co.  111. 
Adams  Co.  O. 
Germany 


56 

70 

72 

72 

54 

66 

72 

59 

69 

69 


MOSQUITO— TOWN  15  AND  IG  NOllTII.  KANGE  1 WEST. 


NAME. 

P.  OFFICE. 

j Armstrong,  AVm.  Sr. 

Grove  Citv 

1 S.atira  Fickliii 

f Armstrong,  James  T. 

\ Ellen  E.  Rowlings 

( Armstrong,  AV’m.  Jr. 

\ Ann  R.  Housley 

j Armstrong,  J.  A. 

1 Lavina  D.  Botkin 

j Beard  Lewi.s 

Mt.  Auburn 

( Penny  Aliirrv 

t Bottrell,  Sampson 

it 

1 Mary  C.  Leper 

Cl 

j Beilschmith,  Henrv 

•Stonington 

1 Clara  Eberlv 

“ 

/ Benson,  George 

Alt.  Aubn’n 

1 Alarv  A.  Acavd 

J Bramel,  Elias 

Niaiitic 

1 Dorinda  Dodson 

J Betz,  Samuel 

Bl.  Alound 

1 Catharine  Weidman 

1 Batter,  Charles  R. 

1 Alice  K.  W’all 

*c 

J Crawford,  Leonard 

i( 

t Mary  W'-  Kidder 

Clements,  E.  P. 

Alt.  Aiibu’n 

( Drennan,  John  L. 

( Henrietta  W'imherlcy 

“ 

J Drake,  L.  E. 

Bl.  Alound 

1 Emilv  J . ‘Short 

J Drake,  Thomas 

U 

1 Loznia  Daniels 

cc 

J David.suii,  Hezekiah 

Mt.  Auburn 

1 Nanov  ,1.  Proflitt 

“ 

C Dnckwall,  S.  T.  S 

-j  Dnckwall,  Thos.  J.  K. 

( Levina  Shawn 

U 

J Drennan,  E.  AV. 

Bl.  Alound 

( Marv  E.  Sanders 

tC 

J Fletcher,  John  G. 

Ci 

1,  Thnr.scv  Newell 

Dev’d  Nov.i 

J Greer,  A.  S. 

Alt.  Aubuin 

1 Alalissa  A.  Davidson 

( Graham,  llariison 

Dee’d  June 

■j  Sarah  Laws 

Bl.  Mound 

1 Graham,  Elijah 

“ 

J Griswold,  Damon 

1,  Etna  Baldwin 

44 

( Graham,  J.  W. 

1 Maggie  A.  Hamilton 

u 

( Hudson,  Douglas  C. 

Mt..\nhurn 

1 Alary  E.  Cannon 

4( 

j Hardv,  George  B. 

44  « 

\ Elizabeth  Alar.-h 

C( 

Johnson,  Ruins 

Bl.  Alound 

j Lamer,  Josepli 

(4 

1 Marv  F.  Miirrv 

Ci 

( AleCov,  James  S. 

44 

1 Eliza  J.  AleKinney 

Ci 

J AlcKaig,  John 

. Ci 

1 Eliza  Bain 

Dee’d  I'eh.  7 

J Montgomery,  J.  C. 

Bl.  Alound 

t Alattie  J.  Petins 

j Marshall,  Robert,  Sr. 

Alt.  Auburn 

1 Marv  A.  WileoHv 

j Milligan,  1).  J. 

C( 

t Rachel  A.  llnnti  r 

Ci 

J AleQiialitv,  George 

Bl.  Aloimd 

1 Alaria  J.  Graham 

J Morgan,  William 

ii 

I Alargaret  A Nichols 

ii 

f AIcDanicl,  Daniel 

Dec’d  Jan.  1 

\ Louisa  Northeutt 

Bl.  Alound 

( Me(Jnalitv,  James 

1 Hannah  Biller 

ii 

/ Norred,  F. 

Illiopoli.s 

( Riilvan.  Enlow 

j Osbern  Robert  B. 

Dec’d  Aiig-i 

\ Plioebe  Stineman 

AIt..\ubuin  f 

( Palmer,  Jolin 

Bl.  Alonnd 

4 Lvdia  E.  Dutton 

Dee’d  Feb.  ■' 

( Martlia  L'  Gage 

Bl.  Alound  ^ 

( Stewart,  I*' lancis 

44 

( Isabella  G.  Riven 

f ‘Siafibrd,  Aloses 

Decatur  r 

4 Louisa  Tiacey 

Dee’d  Oct.  . 

1 Isabella  J.  Thomas  ! 

Decatur  i 

( AVood,  .Jwillis 

Niantic  1; 

\ Alaria  AVood 

j Yarnell,  Isaac  A. 

Bl.  Alonml 

■<  Bonham,  Rebecca  B. 

Dee’d  .Aug.  1 

( Mary  Norvell 

Bl.  Alound  8 

34 

OCCUPATION. 


NATIVITY. 


30  lleiireci  Farmer  Orange  Co., N.C  fl.5 

30  Wife  of  W.  Arm^strong  MontjoTnury  Co.,  Ky.  G.J 
30  Farmer  ami  Stuck  Kaiser  Sangamon  On.  11  g.j 
30  Wife  of  J.  T.  Armstrong  1‘  leming  Co.  Ky  (jy 
30  Filmier  and  Stock  Kiii.ser  Sangiunon  Co.  II  g",' 

30  Wife  of  W Armstrong  Stark  Co.  Ohio  ,54 

31  Farmer  and  Stock  Kaiser  Sangamon  Co.  II  Gy 

31  Wdfc  of  J.  A.  Armstrong  champaigu  Co.  oiao  52 
18  Farmer  and  Stock  Raiser  W'ake  Co.  N.  C.  (50 
18  Wife  of  L.  Beard  Orange  Co.N.C  GO 

0 Farmer  and  Stock  Rai.ser  Conivvall,  Eng  G7 
Chri.stian  Co.  Ill  oG 
73 
73 
40 
43 
o2 
■)2 
G7 
G7 
GO 
7.") 
■)1 


0 Wife  of  S.  Bottrell 

32  Farmer  and  Stock  Kaiser  Cennany 

33  Wife  of  II.  Beilsclunitli  *• 

10  Farmer  ITalbot  Co.  Md 

10  Wife  of  G.  Benson  Yorkshire,  Eng 
3.4  F iirmer  and  Stock  Kaiser  .\ia.s'.m  Co.  Ky 
35  Wife  of  E.  Briirnel  llari  ison  Co.Kv 

25  Farmer,  and  Stock  Kaiser  and  J.  P.  llutitingilon  Co.  Pa 

25  Wife  of  S.  Betz  Summit  Co.  O 

25  Farmer  and  Stock  Raiser  .vortiiamptou  Co.  ra 
25  Wife  of  C.  R.  Baner  Medina  Co.  (J 
15  Filmier  and  Stock  R liser  " estchestcr  co.  x.  y. 

15  Wife  of  L.  Crawford  Ilancoi  k Co. Me  5] 
20  Farmer  jNew  Y'ork  City  7;) 

22  P5i finer  and  Stoc  k Raiser  Ciildu ell  Co.Ky  51; 
22  Wife  of  J.  L.  Drennan  ;Trigg  Co.  Ky 
20  Farmer  and  Stock  Raiser  Greene  Co  111 
20  Wife  L.  F.  Brake 


Greene  Co.  Ill 
28  l''amier  and  Stock  Raiser  Greene  Co.  Ill 


2o  Wife  of  T.  Drake 
WFarmer  and  Slock  Kaiser 
If  M'ife  of  II  Davidson 
13  Farmer  and  Stock  Raiser 
I s Filth,  of  S.  T.  S.  I tnckwall 


Scott  Co.  Ill 
Barren  Co.  Ky 
.Snlli  Villi  Co  Ten 
Monroe  Co.  Mo  59 

Jefferson  Co.  \V.  Va  ’)() 


13  Moth.  ofS.  r.  S.  Dnckwall  Fairlield  Co.  ()  59 
2/  Farmer  and  Stock  Raiser  Caldwell  Co.  Ky  99 


MT.  AUCUKN— TOAVNSIIIP  15  NOllTII.  IIANGES  2 & 3 WEST. 


P.  OFITCE.  RESID. 


OCCUPATION. 


NATIVITY. 


Edinburg 
Grove  City 


Bolivia 


A. 


2(  Wife  of  E.  Drennan  I'aldwell  Co.  Ky 
II  Retired  Farmer  hayette  Co  Ky 

’7G  Late  wife  J.  G.  Flettdier  Barren  Co.  Ky 
8 h'amier  and  Stoi  k Raiser  Barren  Co.  Ky 
8 4V’ife  of  A S.  Greer  t Ireene  Co.  Ill 
’(52  Farmer  lliirilin  Co.  Ky 

2;j  Widow  of  H.  Oraham.  find  Present  Delaware 
. Wife  of  F.lijaU  Oruliaiu, 

Farmer 


Hardin  Co  Ky 

2/  Farmer  and  Stock  Raiser  t ireene  Co.  Ill 
27  Wife  of  D.  Griswold  Greene  Co.  Ill  75 
13  l''iirmer  and  Stock  Raiser  Christian  Co.  Ill  55 
13  \Vife  of  .J.  W.  Graham  Christiiin  Co.  11.  95' 
17  Farmer  and  Stock  Raiser  Christian  Co.  Hi  5(5 
17  IVife  of  D.  C.  Hudson  Chiistian  Co.  Ill  5g 

GG 

Butler  Co  ()hio'(;(; 

7!) 
(51 
(51 
GO 


0 Fiirmerand  S(ock  Raiser  Bhiludelidiia 
0 M’ife  of  G.  B.  Hardy 
31  I'lirnier  and  S(oek  Raiser  tdreene  Co.  Ill 
28  Farmer  and  Stock  Raiser  B.ivaria,  Ger 
28  Wife  of  .1.  Lamer  Centre  Co.  Fa 

33  Farmer  and  Stock  Raiser  iiuntiugcion  Co.  i>a 


33  Wife  of  .1.  S.  McCov 


Donegal  Co.  Ire  G9 


20  Farmer  and  Stock  Kaiser  Ireland  (51 

75  Late  wife  of  J.  McKaig  England  (52 

. 20  Farmer  and  Stock  Raiser  .SangamonCo.il  GO 
20  M'ifeof  J.C.  Montgomery  SangamonCo.il  08 
20  Farmer  and  Stock  Raiser  Ireland 
20  VVife  of  R.  Marshall 

5 I'armtT  and  Stock  Ilai.er  and  Dir 

5 Wife  of  1).  .1.  Milligan 
12  Farmer  A Fruit  Grower 

12  \\  ife  of  Geo.  Mctjnality  Hardin  Lii.  Kv  50 

13  Farmer  and  Stock  Raiser  t'hri.stian  Co.  Ill  38 
13  Wife  of  W.  Morgan 

’75  Farmer 


58' 

England  43 

Christian  Co.  Ill  33 
Christian  Co.  Ill  42 
Boss  Co.  Ohio  50 


.Sangamon  Co.  II  G4 
Montgomery  Co.  Ky  52 


11  Farmer  and  Stock  Kaiser  west  .tciTcrson  Co.  o 
11  Wife  of  J.  ALQiiality  Medina  Co  O 
19  Farmer  and  Slock  Kaiser  Knox  Co.  Ohio 
19  Wile  of  E.  Norred 


Washington  Co.  Pa 


79  Farmer  and  Stock  Raiser  Maury  Co.Tcnn  53 
10  Wid.of  Robert  B.  O.shern  Butler  Co.  Oliio  53 

30  Farmer  ami  Breeder  Berkshire  Hogs  Washington  Co.  Ohio  "5 

58  First  wife  of  .1.  Palmer  Athens  Co.Ohio 
. 3G  Present  wife  of  J ■ Palmer  .suiUvan  Co.  N.  H.  rt 
32  Fanner  and  Stock  Raiser  Ireland 


32  NVife  of  F.  Stewart 

Farmer,  Stock  Kaiser  and  Breeder 


Scotland 


SangamonCo.il  53 
First  wife  of  AL  Slafliird  .\dilison  Co.  Y'tgg 


27  Wife  of  .1.  Wood 
22  Retired  Farmer 


GG 


’52  First  wifeofl.  A.Y'arnell  Tenn 


Clinton  Co.  Ky 
Madison  Co.  Ill  99 
Knox  Co.  Tenn  97 


( Bloxam,  Henry 
\ Flleii  T.  Parrish 
) Baker,  Win.  Turley  Bolivia 
\ Sarah  Flizaheth  Green 
j Cooper,  Patrick 
( Elizabeth  Firey 
( Crosthwait,  W.  Y". 
t Ellen  M.  Benson 
r Davis,  Dial 
< Fdinonia  F.  Ilesser 
( Hiildah  .1.  Stohaugli 
/ Firey,  Isaac  II. 

'(  Eliza  Sattley 
f Goodrich,  Mary  I. 

( Goodrich,  M.  P. 
j Harvey,  .1.  G. 

\ Mary  Alice  Lilley 
I Hazlett,  .John  A. 

I Mary  .Jane  Drennan 
( Kimball,  Kichard 
t Frances  .1.  Henderson 
j Lawrence,  Joint  H. 

1 Sarah  A.  Morris 
j Labile,  Dnnean 
\ Nancy  E.  Stevens 
I Montgomery,  Jane 
\ Montgomery,  Levi 
( Montgomery,  Jos.  E. 

Amanda  C AVhittsell 
J Matthew,  John  B. 

1 Amanda  E.  Lawley 
( Alilligan,  W.  E. 

( Jane  Kizer 
( McKi  nzie,  .1'  hn 
\ Leah  Giilliford 
/ North,  Harvey  N. 

1 Sarah  E.  Prather 
f Reynolds,  ()  C 
\ iNannie  C Bradley 
Sharp,  W.  C. 

Lizzie  Sherman 
j .Sargeant,  Ezekiel 
1 Elizabeth  Haltcrman 
( .Smith,  L.  N. 

\ Martha  E S abangli 
t Sadler,  Samuel  J. 

( Mary  Coover 
( Wickeiis,  .lames 
i Marv  A.  AVard 
AVebb,  II.  C. 

Ann  E.  .Allien 
Martha  .A.  Athen 
( Virdi  11,  Isaac  Q 
1 Raihel  .A.  Nestcr 
I A'ermillion,  \\bii.  II. 

1 Vermillion,  Katie 


Alt.  A nhurn^.Mt.  aub'n  Pliysician,  Surgeon  & Att’y.at-Law  Pililad’a,  Pa.  41 
AAGfeofll.  Bloxam  Alonroetto,  111.  53 
.See.  20  Farmer  and  Stock  Rai.ser  .N icholasCo.  Ky  39 
AVife  of  AV.  T.  Raker  Ashland  Co..  O.  53 
Sec.  23  Farmer  & Stoek  Raiser  & Feeder  S.IIlgamOll  Co.  1 1 43 
AVife  of  1’.  Cooper  AVa-lGgi’n  Co.M  3 5 

Sec.  35  Farmer  and  Slock  Kaiser  Trigg  (Jo.,  Kv. 

Wife  of  \V  y.  Crosthw.ait  Franklin  Co.  In 


Mt.Aiihiirn  Mt  Aub  u 
Dec’d,  July  4.  18(54 
.Mt.  .Auburn  .'it.  Aub  n 
Ediuhiir,!  Sec.  25 


Farmer  and  Stock  Raiser 

First  AVife  of  D.  Davis  Virginia. 

Present  Wife  of  D.  Davi.s  Hendricks  Co.  I. 
Farmer,  Stock  Raiser  and  Feeder  AVash’i’n  Co.Md 

Dec’ll,  I’^eh.  2,  1880'Latc  AVife  of  I.  H.  FireviSangamoiiCo.il  4 
•Mt. Auburn  Mt.  Aub  n Farmer  and  S oi  k Rai.ser  S.ingamon  Co.  II  30 
Dec’d,  Oct.  5,  18/ 7!Late  Husband  of  11.  I,  Goodrich  I Bcl  ksll’c  Co.  Ala  j 40 


Grove  CilVOroveCy 


Edinburg  Sec.  2G 

it 

Alt  Auburn  Mt.  auivu 


;Sec.  24 


Grove  Citv  Sec.  2- 
Dec’d,  Eeb.  7,  18G9 
Grove  City  ‘Sec.  23 

Mt.  Auburn  Mt.  Aub 


Grove  City  Sec.  20 
Edinburg  ‘See.  22 
Mt.  Auburn  iit.  Aub 


‘SummerCo.Ten  07 
Plym’tli  Co. Alas  07 
Alason  Co..  Va.  31 
‘Sangamon  Co.  1048 
AAbisli’i’n  Co.,A't  I 3 
Aladison  Co.  HI.  53 
Clark  Co  , ().  54 

“ “ !54’ 


Grove  Citv 


Sec.  35 
‘See.  30 


Dec’d,  AP(4i 
Grove  City  Sec.  30 
.Mt.Aiiburn  Sec.  1 1 

ii  ' ,1 

Grove  City  Grove  Cy 


tVasli’t’ii  Co.  Aid 
( )liio 

Christian  Co.  Ill 
.Sangamon  Co.  11 


Physician  and  Surgeon 
Wife  of  J.  G.  Harvey 

Farmer,  Stock  Kaiser  k Supervisor 

Wile  ot  J.  A.  Hazlett 
General  Alerchant 
AA’ife  of  R.  Kimball 
Physician  and  Surgeon 
Wife  of  ,J.  H.  Lawrence 
hariner  and  Stock  Raiser  Harrison  Co.  In.  57 
AVife  of  D.  Labile  | “ “i57 

Farmer  and  Slock  Raiser  Bedford  Co.,  Pa.  50 

Late  Husband  of  J.  A.  Montgomery. 

Fanner  and  Stock  Raise 
Wifeof.J.  E.  Alontgomeri 
Physician  and  Surgeon 
AA'ifeof  J.  R.  Alatthew 
Farmer  and  Hotel-keepei 
Wile  of  AV.  E.  Alillig  an 
Farmer  and  Stock  Raisei 
Wife  of  J.  McKenzie 

Farmer,  Stock  Raiser,  Feeder  & Sh'r 

W ife  of  H.  N.  North 
Physician  and  Surgeon 
W ife  oft).  C.  Reynolds 
Fanner  and  Stock  Raiser 
AA'il’e  of  AA'.  C.  Sharp 
Cab’t  Alaker  A Underik’r 
AA^ife  of  E.  Sargeant 
Farmer  and  Bricklayer 
AVife  of  L.  N.  Smith 
Farmer  and  Stock  Raiser  Ko.-s  Co.,  O. 

Wdfe  of  S.  J.  Sadler  ‘‘  ‘‘ 

Farmer  and  Stock  Kaiser  AVasli’t’n  Co.,  O.  00 
Wile  ot  J.  AViekens  Gurnsey  Co , O.  00 
Sec.  30  Farmer  and  Stock  Raiser  Union  Co.,  Ind  01 
First  AAnfeof  H.  C.  AATbh  Park  Co.,  O. 

Pres’t  Wifeofll.C.  AA'ebb  AVells  Co.,  Ind 
Planner  and  Stock  Raiser  Ross  Co.,  O. 

AVife  of  I.  Q.  Virden  Ba'h  Co.,  Ky. 
Physician  and  Surgeon  Virginia 
W’ifeofDr.  A'erniillion  Kentuekv 


■Shelby  Co..  O. 

Ross  Co.,  O. 
Highland  (ui.,  O 
‘Sangamon  Co.  II 
Wasli’t’n  Co. Aid 
Sangamon  Co.  II 
Alontg’y  Co  Kv. 
Christian  Co. lil.  45 
t)hio.  0-) 

.''helhv  Co.,  O-  47 
Champ’gn  Co.  O 47 
Ro.ss  (Jo.,  O.  49 
Indiana  i5l 

41 
53 


Ml 

74 


,44 

74 

74 


PRAIRIETON-TOAVNSHIPS  13  & 14  N.  RANGE  1 EAST. 


f Ailams,  .Joseph 
\ Nancy  AI.  Widick 
Adams.  Isom 
j Coon  rod.  E.  G. 

1 Nancy  Doyle 
^ Gorden,  R.  R. 

^ Isaliella  Warren 
i Nancy  Frost 
( Johnson,  Wade  F. 

“ BenJ.  J. 

Elizabeth  C.  Fcot 
Jolinson,  Roht  G. 

‘‘  Wade  E. 

‘‘  Edward  F. 

“ Alargaret  C. 

‘‘  Alartha  O. 

[ “ AVilliam  L. 

f Johnson,  Leo 
1 Sarah  E.  AIo(©c 
( .Johnson,  Walter  P. 
t Mary  E.  Palmer 
( Maliiiot,  Theodore  F. 
j “ Francis  I). 

( Zoo,  Del  and 
( Northeiitt,  A.  D. 

I Alary  .1.  Hammer 
Northeutt,  James  A. 


Aloweatjna 

Sec.  11 

Farmer  and  Stock  Kaisei 

Alontg’v  Co.  Kv 

(4 

11 

Wife  of  .1.  Adams 

Macon  Co.  111. 

ii 

21 

Farmer  and  Stock  R liser 

Kentuekv 

Assn  m[)t  i’ll 

18 

“ “ “ 

(ireene  Co.  111. 

ii 

18 

WifeofE.  G.  Connrod 

4t  U 4. 

Moweaqiia 

22 

Farmer  and  Stock  Raiser 

Montg’v  Co.  Ky 

Deceased 

First  wife  ol  R.K  Gorden  Kenineky 
Pres  wife  of  R.R  Gorden  ‘‘ 

1 .Assnmpli’n 

21 

Farmer  and  Stock  Raisei 

Ohio 

I Dec  d Jan. 

9.  18GG 

Ijondon,  Eng. 

Assuin[)v'n 

See.  21 

AA'ife  of  Benj.  J.  .Johnson 

Countv  Cork,  I. 

1 4' 

21 

Farmer  and  Stock  Raiser 

Belmont  Co.  () 

2i 



<4  (i  t4 

(( 

21 

<4  (4  <4  44 

Dee  d .June  21,  1878 

Guernsey  Co.  0. 
Belmont  C i.  (). 

ii 

21 

Giicrnsev  Co.  O, 

ii 

21 

Farmer  and  Stock  Raiser 

.4 

1 

27 

Farmer 

4(  ii  ii 

1 U 

27 

AA’ife  of  L.  .Johnson 

Indiana 

1 << 

17 

Farmer  and  Stock  Raiser 

(iuernsev  Co.  0. 

ii 

17 

AA'ife  of  AA'.  R.  Johnson 

Coimectieiit 

Radford 

13 

Alcrehant 

Canada 

.Assuiniiii'n 

I*'ar.,  fatlier  of  TFAIalhiot 

AVife  of  F.  1).  Malhiot 

Aloweaqua 

24  Alinister  of  Ciiristian  Ch. 

Kentucky 

it 

24 

W lie  of  A.  D.  ISoriheutt 

Bl.  Alound 

355  Farmer 

Christian  Co.  Ill 

59 
6) 
GO 
GO 
GO 
G ) 
GO 
GO 
GO 
GO 
GG 
59 
57 
57 
57 
57 
37 


I’EAIRIETUX-TOWXSIIIPS  13  & 14  N.  llAXGE  I E.— [Coxt]  ASSUMPTIOX -TOWNSHIP  12  X.  RANGE  1 E.- [Continued  ] 


P.  OFFICE.  RESID.  OCCUPATION. 


NATIVITY. 


I Plain  .John 
} Mary  Ann  IVoikman 
( .N’aniy  M.  vSliar}) 

I liidKe.  James 
\ Sarah  Tuckt  r 
j Kowley,  Tlioiuas  S. 
t .^nn  Kendall 
( Valentine,  Edward  S. 
'(  Malinda  Witt 
( M'orkman,  Michael 
' Julia  .\.  Hi  lye  11 
( Hannah  J.  Workman 
[ "Watson,  Will.  G. 
j Louisa  C.  McDaniel 
1 Jaints  T.  Watson 
[M.irtha  A.  .McDaniel 


Radford 
Deceased  i 
Radford 
AssuiiiiUi  11 


Moweaqtia  ' 
Deceased 
Moweaijua  ; 
A.'-suinpti  n 


13  Farmer  and  Slock  Rai.ser  .M  uhleub’gCo.K  55 
First  wife  of  J.  Plain  Keniiu  ky  55 

13  Present  wife  of  J . Plain  .Missouri  65 

21  Farmer  and  Stock  Raiser  Devonshire  Eug  59 
21  JVile  of  J.  Ridge  “ 

14  I'armer  and  Stock  Raiser  Norihamptjnshire En? 

14  IVife  of  T.  S.  Rowley  “ 

18  Farmer  and  ?tock  Riilser  Greene  Co.  III. 

18  Wife  of  E.  S.  Valentine 

4 Farmer  and  Stock  Raiser  SangamonCo.Ill  55 
Fir.'t  wife  ofM.JVorkman  55 

4 I’res.  wife  of  M.  Workman  <)vertonCoTenn  50 
26  Farmer  Kentucky  57 

26  Wife  of  W.  G.  AVat.son  Indiana  j53 

27  Farmer  Kentucky  57 

27  IVife  of  .J.  T.  JVatson  Indiana  l53 


i59 
.571 
'57 1 
73| 
731 


KING-TOWNSHIP  12  NORTH.  RANGE  4 WEST. 


( Alhin,  G.  N. 

Morri’iiv’le  Sec.  13  F’r,  St’k  K’r,  Tw’p  Cl ’k  c't  Ohio 

6Sj 

1 .Alary  II.  Miller 

1 3 Wife  G N Albin  [Seh.  D’r 

j Barnett,  VI.  E. 

10  Farmer  and  .Stock  Raiser 

Illinois 

781 

-j  Barnett,  Epliraiin 

Dec’cl  Apr. 

10,  ’59  Fiither  of  AI.  F.  B.irnett 

1 

1 Julia  A.  Stout 

Morri’nv’le  Sec.  10  AA'ife  of  late  Eiih.  Barnett 

u 

78' 

1 Bradford,  James 

14  Fin’r,  St’k  R’r  it  Sch.  D’r 

England 

70' 

\ Kezia  Bartlett 

14  AA'ife  of  James  Bradford 

“ 

70; 

J Cashen,  Peter 

“ 

12  Farmer  and  Stock  Raiser 

ireland 

6i 

t Ellen  Kelley 

12  Wife  of  Peter  Cashen 

ii 

65 1 

J Curry,  .lohn  A. 

U 

25  Fanner  and  Stock  Raisei 

>)hio 

67; 

\ Saraii  J.  Butler 

25  AA'ife  of  J-  A.  Curry 

Indiana 

67j 

1 Dow,  Peter 

U 

24  Farmer  and  .Stock  Rai.sei 

Scotland 

65' 

1.  Jane  D.  Long 

a 

24  AVife  of  Peter  Dow 

Oliio 

64 

J Deal,  George 

u 

1 Fanner  and  .Stock  Raisei 

Pennsylvania 

68 

"l  Sarah  A.  Meredith 

1 Wife  of  (G.  D.) 

Illinois 

6U|' 

( Guinhie,  A.  A. 

Wliite  Oak 

3 Eiirmer  and  Stock  R;iisei 

Oliio 

57 

\ Sarah  R.  Goodrich 

3 AVife  of  A.  A.  (Tamble 

New  York 

57  i 

j Gtiskins,  Hatlen 

Morri’iiv’lt' 

15  Fanner  A .Slock  Raiser 

Illinois 

60‘ 

\ Delia  A.  D.ivis 

“ 

15  AVife  of  II.  Gaskins 

Vermont 

60ii 

( Garrelson,  AA’m.  K. 

u 

15  Fiirmer  and  Sun  k Raisei 

Illinois 

77 

1 Clara  E.  Smith 

u 

15  AVife  of  W.  K.  Garrei.son 

I’ennsylvania 

77':, 

( Jackson,  D.  H. 

u 

24  F’mr,  Si’k  R’r  & Snperv’i 

Indiana 

7l' 

1 .laekson,  Marilia  II. 

u 

24  AVife  of  D.  II  Jackson 

71'! 

1 Kent,  John  11. 

u 

22  Farmer  and  Stock  Raiser 

Ohio 

68  : 

1 Kent,  Mary  A. 

a 

22  Wife  of  J.  H Kent 

It 

68ll 

J King,  Eli 

H 

26  Farmer  and  Stock  Raiser 

T nn. 

•54 

1 Alarv  E.  Lantz 

26  AA'ife  of  E.  King 

A'irginia 

551 

J King,.!.  M. 

2()  l<’armer  and  Stock  Rai.ser 

Tenn. 

■54, 

1 .Susan  Noekols 

26  AVife  of  .1.  M.  King 

Illinois 

51 

J Kline,  J.  L. 

26  Fiirmer  and  Stock  Rai.ser 

Ohio 

•57|. 

1 Lizzie  .1-  Lee 

26  AA'ife  of  .1.  E.  Kline 

Chi  islian  Co.  Ill  48 

J I.emmon,  Wm.  G. 

U 

3 Fiirmer  and  Stock  Rai.ser  Iiela.id 

1 Mary  Liim 

u 

3 AA’ifeof  AA’m.G.  Lemmon 

69  ! 

Lemmon,  Thomas  E. 

35  Farmer  and  Stock  Raiser 

59| 

j Medari.s,  Harvey 

1 I'iirmer  and  Carpenter 

KentiK'ky 

61 

\ Nancy  C.  Ladd 

“ 

1 AVife  of  1 1 . Aleduris 

(( 

6ii; 

j Mitchell,  .loseph 

22  Farmer  and  .Stock  Raiser  Illinois 

72: 

1 J.  A.  (.’ovingtciii 

22  AA’ife  of  J.  Mitcliell 

Tenn. 

72|'. 

1 Parish,  Martin 

White  Oak 

3 Fiirmer  and  Stock  Raiser  ( )hio 

5 -5 

J Parish,  Marv  A. 

3 Mother  of  M.  I’arish 

New  .Icrsey 

.55 

1 Parish,  II.  li. 

Nov. 

1872  laite  linsl).  Marv  Piirish 

“ 

55 

1 Spruit,  AA'm. 

Moni’nv’le  .Sec.  21  Fm’r,  Si’k  R’r&  Ex.  Twp 

iMigland 

61i> 

1 Eydia  E.  Knotts 

24  W i fe  o f AA’ . S p ra  1 1 [ . A s,s’  r 

1 llinois 

62': 

j .Sliillet,  Roheil  H. 

12  I'  ln’r,  St’k  R’r  & Com.  of 

A'irginia 

6I! 

( L.  ( '.  ( iirvey 

12  Wife  R 1 1 Shillet  ( iiiaii»'ny» 

Illinois 

64 

1 Taylor,  Tiiomas  II. 

24  Eiirmer  iimi  Stock  Ibiiser 

“ 

69  . 

( Isabella  Kline 

24  Wife  of  T'  B.  Taylor 

Ohio 

.59. 

1 Wells,  AVm. 

U 

26  Eiirmer  and  l8iock  Raisei 

North  Carolina 

68' ! 

1 .Alitry  I'i.  Knotts 

H 

26  Wife  of  AA'.  AA'ells 

1 llinois 

63| 

j Wade,  B.-nj.  P. 

u 

H Farmer  and  oek  Raisei 

England 

61’ 

( Annie  Dickens 

I)e<Ml  I’eh. 

27,  ’77  Late  wife  of  B.  P.  AVadi 

i( 

TOWNsllll'  11  NOHTII.  li.VNCiK  4 WIOST. 

j Adams,  .1.  H. 

Harvel 

Sec.  22  l''m’r  & Bi’dr  Fine  Stock 

Hai’snCoAA'  A’a 

75  ' 

t Adams,  I I.ii  riet 

22  AA’ile  of  J . H.  .Adams 

.Addison  Co.  A t 

75 

j ( lieiiey,  M.  F. 

Morri’nv’h* 

11  l•'m’l•  A Agl.  Dorsey  I'ist 

U 

70 

1 ( lieney,  Eliz.ihelli 

1 1 AA’ife  of  M 1’’.  ( 'lieiiev 

Oswego  Co  N A’ 

TO 

J llaiioii,  Ji  -se 

“ 

i 1 l''aniier  and  Stock  Ibiiscr 

( '111  istian  < 'o 

30 

1 M issoiiri  .A . .M iniiis 

(( 

1 1 AA'ife  of  .1 . 1 Ituion 

Morgan  Co.  III. 

33 

J I’litls,  W.  A. 

“ 

12  Farmer  and  .'stock  Rai.ser 

Sumner  ( 'o.  Ten 

.59 

t I’olls,  Sarah  J. 

1 2 AA’ife  of  AA'.  A . I’oits 

1 reland 

.59 

( Ri'  > Holds,  .1 . M . 

Harvel 

Harv’l  R.  R.  A Express  Agent 

( 'alhoiin  Co.  III. 

62 

1 Revniihls,  Nancy  .1. 

1 li  e’ll  .1  line 

17,  ’77  lyiile  wife  .1.  M.  Reynolds 

iScDlt  ( '.).  Mo. 

Ai'.Nl  .M  l*'l  ION  — 

roWNSim*  12  NOHIII.  HANGK  1 K.A.S'I’ 

1 .AiHiiii,  J . W. 

l^llla 

See.  3-5  I'  iiimer  and  Stuck  Raisei 

Indiana 

67 

"t  Marv  Miles 

35  Wife  of  .1.  W.  All, still 

1 llinois 

67 

( A I'pm.  • ioilfrev 

A’-suinpUoii 

1,  Mereliant 

( ' imida 

71 

I Mi-M  L.  Eiliott 

Wife  of  G.  .A rpiii 

France 

71 

1 Bin  e,  .1  allies  .M  • 

\>o4iini|)tiGn 

i..umi.ii  Allorney  at  Law 

New  York 

(1-5 

1 .M  iry  AA’.  Lilih' 

<1 

" AA'ife  of  .1 . M.  Bireo 

New  York 

65 

1 Bridge.  J.  A. 

(t 

“ I’osl-Miisicr  imdtiroeer 

Ohio 

69 

1 II anna li  1".  .Maiizy 

" Wifeof  .).  ,A.  Ilridge 

Ohio 

69 

I Ih-m  p'  , Seih  M. 

“ l’hy-»ieian  and  Surgeon 

t Miio 

66 

1 M arv  .1 . Ki  eler 

(< 

AA’ife  of  .-i.  M.  Piciiepe 

1 mliiina 

<17 

( Barrett,  Marcus  L. 

[ Nancy  Peebles 
( Coon  rod,  S.  M. 
i Hettie  B Chilton 
I Cushing,  Wm.  E. 

\ Susan  E.  Piir.'ley 
Couteville,  J.  B. 
f Camiibell,  Isaac 
t Maria  Willen 
f Cohenour,  \\  illiam  L. 
\ Miiry  S Moore 
I llurand,  Eugene 
I Alda  Georgiana  Domas 
( Dunkel,  Elias 
\ .Julia  E.  Grogan 
Etter,  George 
Mary  Rhoades 
j"  Foley,  Patrick 
< Julia  A.  II ikon 
( Eliza  A.  Hutchinson 
( Fribley,  E.  I. 

1 Sarah  E.  Keller 
f Jeble,  Elizabeth 
\ Jeble,  .Jose|ih 
f Kinkead,  Mrs.  Isabel 
1 Kinkead,  Guy 
( Keiiierer,  John  B. 

( Eliziibeth  Chambers 
j Knott,  William 
( Ann  G willy n 
f Milligan,  J R. 
Margaret  McCaffrey 
McKee,  J.  F. 

Barbara  J.  Stum|)ff 
f IMorrison,  Robert 
[ Biidget  Cooney 
Maynard,  Washington 
Julia  A.  Car.son 
f McWilliams,  A.  J. 
Martha  Fisk 
Pearcy,  Charles 
( Pigeon,  T O. 


Pinney,  T.  W. 
Julia  V.  Park 


p.  OFFICE  RESID 


Assumjjti’n  Assu’n 


Pana 

It 

Dunkels 


.Assumption 

Dec’d 

.A.^siunption 


Pana 

Dec  (1  Nov 

.\ssuinption 
Dec’d  Sept 
.Assumption 

Millprsville 

u 

Assumption 


Pana 

.1 

•Assumption 


Reans,  II.  L. 
Missouri  Kern 
RiiJiardson.  W 
Leora  Emerson 
I Rock,  Louis 


F. 


I Shafer,  Silas  .A. 

I Shafer,  .1.  C. 
j Swelland,  Tho.s.  A 
I Sarah  J.  Bilby 
Travis,  .M.  B. 

I Miirv  .1.  .Adams 
I Tobi'as,  H.  H. 

I Mary  E.  ( losiiey 
I Wat.son.  D.  J . 

( Sarah  McDaniel 
j Watkins,  L.  T. 
i Mary  Mc.Alilly 


See.  21 
21 
22 
22 
2'-' 
22 
28 
28 

Assump'u 


Sec.  24 
24 
36 
10,  ’65 

.Vssumpn. 

17. ’75 
Sec.  15 
15 
30 
30 

Vssumpn. 


OCCUPATION. 


NATIVITY.  I e 


Ma.s.sachusetts 
Massachusetts 
tireene  Co.  Ill 
.Jersey  Co.  Ill 
1 llinois 
Kentucky 
Illinois 


Gnn  and  Lock  Smith 
Wife  of  M.  L.  Barrett 
.Merchant 

Wife  of  S.  M.  Coonrod 
General  Merchant 
Wife  of  W.  If.  Cushing 

Wagon  Maker  

Prop.  Campbell's  Kheuniutic  ReiiiedyiCanada 

AVife  ol  I Campbell  Canada 
Farmer  and  Slock  Raiser  Pike  Co.  Ill 
Wife  AV.  L.  Cohenour  St.  Clair  Co.  Ill 
Fiirmer  France 

Wife  of  Eugene  Durand  Louisiana 

Grain  Buyer,  Station  agent  & P.  M. 

Wife  of  E.  Dimkel 
Farmer  and  Stock  Raiser 
Wife  of  G.  Etter 
Grocer 

First  wife  P.  Folev 
Present  wife  of  P.  Fole\ 

Farmer  and  Stock  Raisei 
AVife  of  E.  I.  Fribley 
AV4dow  of  J.  Jeble 
Late  hush,  of  Fliz.  Jehh 
Retired 

Latehusb.Isabel  Kinkead 
Farmer 

Wife  of  J.  B.  Kenierer 
Farmer  and  Slock  Raisei 
AA’ife  of  W.  Knott 
Miller  & Grain  Dealer 
Wife  of  J.  R.  Milligan 

Kngineer  at  Mill  and  Twp.  Assessor 

AVife  J.  F.  McKee 
Merchant 

AA'ifeof  R.  Morri'^on 

J Xurseryman  & Past.  Presbyterian  Ch 

llAVifeof  AAC  Maynard 
28  h'armer  and  S oek  Raisei 
AV'ife  of  A.  J.McWilliam> 

Grain  & Lumber  Dealer  jAV.  A’a 

Grain,  Lumber  and  Real  Estate  Dir  Canada 

AV^ife  of  T.  O.  Pigeon 
Alerehant 
AA^ife  ol'  A.  Pigeon 
Eiirmer 

16  AVife  of  T.  AV’.  Pinney 
Assuinp  Railroad  & Exp.  Agent 
Wife  of  T.  F.  Rasbach 
Merchant 

Wife  of  11.  L.  Reans 
Minister  of  Christian  Ch'Adams  Co.  Ill 
Wifeof  AA'.  F.  Richardson  Illinois 
Farmer  and  Stock  Raiser  Germany 


28 

\ssurnp 

Sec.  1 
1 

.\ssump 

Sec.  16 


Pana 

ti 

As.siimption 


See.  2 1 
21 
H 
12 

Assuni] 

Sec.  33 
33 

Assump 


Ohio 
01)10 
Indiana 
Oluo 
Ireland 
ShelbyCo.  Ill 
Cantida 
Ohio 
Dliio 
Germany 
Germany 
ireene  Co.  Ill 
Kentueky 
Fairfield  Co.  O 
Licking  Co.  Kv 
England 
England 
Champaign  Co.  0 
Covington,  Ky 
Ohio 
Oliio 

New  Jersey 
Ireland 
Ohio 
Oliio 

Belmont  Co,  0 
Mas.sachnsetts 


Canada 

Canada 

Canada 

Oho 

Ohio 

New  York 
Illinois 
I'ennessee 
Shelby  Co.  Ill 


Wife  of  L.  Rock 
Farmer 

Wife  of  A.  J.  Smith 
Hardware  Merchants 

Farmer  and  Stock  Raiser 
AA'ife  of  T.  AV’.  Swelland 
Druggist 

AVife  of  M B.  Travis 
AA’agon  Maker 
AA'ife  of  11.  II.  Tobias 
Dealer  in  Hav  and  Hogs 
AVife  of  (1).  J.  AV.) 
h'nrniinre  Dealer 
AVife  of  L.  T AV. 


Ohio 
Ohio 
Ohio 
Ohio 
Ohio 

Luzerne  Co.  P:i 

Enzerne  C<>.  Pa 

Pennsylvania 

( )hio 

Oliio 

Kentucky 

Kentncky 

Indiana 

t linlon  Co.  Ill 

Madison  Co  II 


56 

57 
66 

70 
56 

56 

58 
64 

64 

65 

65 

66 
62 
i"3 
76 
02 
69 
51 

57 

109 

l69 

j03 

163 

|o 

io6 

•56 

66 

66 

•57 

57 

67 

58 
75 
75 

68 
68 
66 
66 

65 
57 
62 

66 
65 
65 
65 

71 
71 

65 

71 
79 
79 
74 
74 

66 
66 

72 

73 
63 
63 
69 


JOHNSON-TOAVNSHIl*  12  NOR'ni.  RANGE  2 WEST. 


Si 


Coe,  AA'illiam  M. 

Tillie  .-A.  Pherigo 
Calhiwiiv,  .A.  R. 

Mtirv  A''.  E.  AVeeks 
I Imihar,  1 laiiiel  .A. 
Margaiet  E.  Harrison 
Lucinda  Hinton 
Dchoe,  .1.  E. 

Laura  B.  .Alorgan 
I'iherl  Henry 
Elizahelli  Baker 
Foy,  A.  O. 

Eiiudine  Brishcii 
l''imderlnii k,  AV.  T. 
Sarah  .A.  .lohnston 
Fleming.  Emit  h 
Marlh;i  .Mes-enger 
Grililieii.  William 
Plielie  E.  Logan 


I'avlorvi  lie. 


Deed  Eel). 
Tay  lorville 


C'arkstlale 
Dee  d .Sept 


24, 

Sec. 


28  Farmer  and  .Stock  Raisei 
28  AVife  of  A\'.  M.  Coe 
15  Farmer  and  .Stock  Raisei 
15  AA'ife  of  .A.  R.  Callaway 
15  Fanner  and  Sto(4<  Rai.sei 
15  AA'ife  of  D.  A-  Dunbar 
'73  I’irst  wife  of  D..A.Diml)ai 
25  Farmer  and  Slock  Rai.ser 
25  Wife  of  J.  E.  Dt4)oe 
33  I'"'armer  and  .Stock  Raiser 
33  AA'ife  (>f  H.  Ebert 
3 Farmer  ami  Slock  Raiser 
3 AA’ife  of  A-  G.  Foy 
10  l■'armer  and  Stock  Raiset 
10  Wifeof  AA'.T.Eimderhurk'Ohio 
13  Farmer  and  Stock  Raiser  Illinois 
13  AA'ife  of  E.  Fleming  j “ 

6 h'armer  and  Stock  Raiser  Ohio 
'77  Late  wife  of  \A'.  Grihhen  IVnnsvlvani  i 


Kentucky 
Ciirislian  Co.Hl. 
Kentucky 
Cliristian  Co. 111. 
Illinois 


Kentncky 
Christian  Co  lli. 
Pennsylvania 

Ohio 

ChristianCo.lll. 


JOriNSON-TOWNSHIP  12 

N.  KANGE  2 E.- 

'[Continued] 

NAME. 

P.  OFFICE. 

RESII), 

OCCUPATION. 

NATIVITY. 

a 

H 

H 

( Ives,  William  Hale 

Tavlorville 

33 

Farmer  and  Stock  Raiser 

Massacliiisetts 

61 

1 Mary  Walker 

33  Wife  of  W.  H.  Ives 

New  York 

61 

j Johnson,  D.  W. 

1 Sarah  E.  Wilson 

(( 

16  Far., Stock  Rais.,Superv’r 
16  Wife  of  D.  W.  Johnson 

Ohio 

North  Carolina 

54 

C Johnston,  J.  II. 

9 Farmer  and  Stoek  Raiser 

Ohio 

54 

1 Hattie  Murry 

9 Wife  of  J.  II  .Johnson 

1 llinois 

71 

J Kellv,  John 

Clarksdale 

7 

Bridge  Watchman  W.,St.L.& P.R.R. 

Ireland 

76 

1 Parmetia  A.  Danforth 
Keller,  C.  B. 

/ Liipton,  Jesse 

Tavlorville 

7 

2'^ 

Wife  of  J.  Kelly 
Farmer  and  Stoek  Raiser 

Illinois 

Bennsvlvaii’a 

76 

i 

Clarksdale 

17 

Farmer  and  Stock  Raiser 

Virginia 

52 

t Eliza  J.  Oats 

‘‘ 

17 

Wife  of  J.  Liijdon 

52 

J Lamb,  James  L. 

Palmer 

30 

Far.,Sto  k Rais.,  T.  Ass’r 

Kentucky 

52 

\ Mary  M.  Shivers 

30 

Wife  of  J.  L.  Lamb 

Virginia 

62 

J Large,  Joseph 

Miliersv'lle 

36 

Farmer  and  Stock  Rtiiser 

Ireland 

59 

[ Martlia  Wellliouse 

3t> 

Wife  of  ,1.  Large 

Pennsylvania 

70 

f Large,  Samuel 

i( 

36 

Farmer  and  Stock  Raiser 

Ireland 

50; 

\ Large,  Maria 

36 

Wife  of  S.  Large 

50^ 

j Marshall,  Fuel 

Clarksdale 

23 

Far.,St'k  Raiser, Tp.  Col’r 

North  Carolina 

53 

i Martlia  W.  Angel 

“ 

23 

Wife  of  F.  Marshall 

I. 

53 

f Morrow,  .lames 

Taylorville 

11 

Farmer  and  Stock  Raiser 

Ireland 

61 

1 Marv  E. Throckmorton 

(( 

11 

W’ife  of  J.  Morrow 

Virginia 

55 

J Oats,  John  W. 

(i 

8 

Fanner  and  Stoek  Raiser 

68 

\ Annie  Wilton 

<4 

8 

VVife  of  J.  W.  Oats 

Illinois 

74 

J Oats,  Jr.,  Michael 

9 

Farmer  and  Stoek  Raiser 

Virginia 

52 

1 Harriet  V.  Shivers 

(( 

9 

Wife  of  M.  Oats 

03 

f Plierigo,  Noah  P. 

H 

6 

Farmer  and  Stock  Raiser 

ChristianCo.Ills 

58 

t Sadie  A.  O'Neill 

Clarksdale 

6 

Wife  of  N.  P.  Plierigo 

70 

J Simpson,  .John  B. 

“ 

6 

Farmer  and  Stock  Raiser 

Illinois 

34 

t Sarah  A.  Biirtle 

6 

Wife  of  J.  B.  Simpson 

62i 

f Shivers.  G.  W. 

Tavlorville 

9 

Farmer  and  Stock  Raiser 

Virginia 

52 

\ Orlena  J.  Funderburk 

9 

Wife  of  G.  W.  Shivers 

Illinois 

51 

J Shane,  William 

(( 

33 

Farmer  and  Stoek  Rai.ser 

Ireland 

54 

X Marv  Welch 

U 

33 

Wife  of  W.  Shane 

54 

J Shane,  Patrick 

Clarksdale 

39 

Farmer  and  Stoek  Raiser 

54 

1 Catherine  Shivers 

t( 

39 

W’ife  of  P.  Shane 

Virginia 

52 

j Wood,  Harvey 

18 

Farmer  and  .Stock  Rai.ser 

New  York 

05 

1 Getlie  Cinte 

(f 

18 

Wife  of  II.  Wood 

t.  it 

71 

— 

TOWX  13  XORTII.  IIAXGR  1 WKST.-[Coxtixued] 


( George,  William  G. 
\ A.  E.  Pliilips 
/ (Tifloni,  Grin 
( Matilda  Jones 
f Hatfield.  Hannan 
f Hatfield,  Marv  J. 

I Hardin,  Mrs.  M.  E. 

I Hardin,  George  W. 

Hardin,  Lotiis 
f Miller,  Jolin  B. 

I Hardin,  iSarali  J. 
f Wliitecraft,  Jos.  W. 
\ Mary  E.  Stnith 
f White,  Hiram 
i Matilda  E.  Sharp 
/ Williams,  .Joseph 
I Martha  I^hillips 
f White,  John 
I Sarah  E.  Hatchett 


P.  OFFICE. 

RESID. 

Pawnee 

Sec.  2 

U 

Pawnee 

Sec.  11 

it 

Sec.  2 

it 

ii 

Dec’ll,  Apr. 

Pawnee 

Blackburn 

See.  11 
7,  1879 
Sec.  3 
Sec.  13 

It 

Edinburg 

Sec.  31 

Pawnee 

Sec.  10 

Blackburn 

,Sec.  12 

ti 

Taylorville 

See.  10 

NATIVITY. 


F’mer,  Feeder  & Si’k  Dir  Sangamon  Co  II 
Wife  of  W.  G George  ‘‘ 

F' liter,  Sl’k  R’ser  & J.  P. 


Wife  of  H.  Hatfield 
Farmer  and  .Stock  R.iiser 
fjate  hits,  of  M.  E.  Hardin 
Farmer 

Fanner  and  Stock  Raiser 
WifeofJ.  B Miller 
Farmer,  St’k  F’der  & Dir 
Wife  of  ,J.  W.  Wliitecraft 
Farmer  and  .Stock  Dealer 
Wife  of  H.  White 
Fartner,  F’der  & St’k  Dir 
WifeofJ.  Williams 
Farmer,  F’der  & St’k  Dir 
Wife  of  ,J.  White 


Delaware  Co.  O 
IMissonri 
Favette  Co.,  111. 
Shelby  C.).,  111. 
S ingatnon  Co.  II 
Kentticky 

Fast  Virginia 
Kentucky 
.Sangamon  Co.  II 
Kentticky 
Christian  Co.  Ill 


Tennessee 

Virginia 


66 

66 

To 

76 

56 

53 
65 
46 

57 
60 
60 

58 
72 

54 

55 
52 
54 
50 
50 


TOWX  14  NORTH.  RANGE  4 WEST. 


SOUTH  FORK-TOWNSIIIP  13  NORTH.  RANGE  3 WEST. 


Wliitecraft,  ,1.  A. 
f Wliitecraft,  S.  M. 
I Lattie  Price 


Elinbiirg  ;Sjc.  26  Retired  Fanner  Kentucky 

vSpringfield  Sp’gf'd  F’mer,  Feeder  & St’k  Dir  “ 

; “ i “ Wife  of  S.  M.  VV'^hitecraft  Xew  York 


35 

3) 

64 


BUCKIIART— TOWN  14  NORTH.  RANGE  2 WEST. 


Allen,  J.  L. 
f Adams,  Lea.son 
t Amelia  Ralston 
I Biillpitt,  James  C. 

1 Ann  M.  Snow 
j Calloway,  James 
t Milla  Council 
f Crowl,  W.  H. 

\ Sarah  E.  Miller 
j Dickerson,  Dr.  J.  II. 

( M.  J.  Httmphreys 
j Fields,  William 
t F.  A Traylor 
J George,  C.  C. 

\ Annie  Mason 
Gore,  W.  F. 
j Glass,  I J. 
t Sarah  J.  Hill 
f Hawkins,  William 
t Elizabeth  Bartlett 
j Kavanaugh,  Matthew 
I Mary  Doland 
J Leigh,  Edward 
( Mary  C.  Currie 
f Luncach,  Philip 
\ Elizabeth  Alexander 
J Langley,  Robt.  Preston 
I Minerva  A.  Pittman 
J Mason,  Seth 
I Syrene  Hanon 
J fiance,  Richard  C. 

1.  Chanler,  Mary  Jane 
Ralston,  Sr.,  A. 
f Ralston,  ,Jr.,  Alex, 
f Mary  M.  Crouse 
J Taylor,  A.  A. 

I Mi.ss  E.  Cassias 
f Taff.  John  W. 

Eliza  A.  Torrence 
( Mary  A.  Whitmer 
( Wilson,  W.  II. 

X Miss  E.  C.  Clark 
f White,  Allen 
\ Sarah  Clemens 


Sharpsburg  Sec.  12 
Tavlorville  Sec.  1 0 


Sec.  9 

U 

Sec.  17 
Sec.  19 
Bl’kbn 
Sec.  25 


Blackburn 

U 

Taylorville 


Blackburn  Sec.  8 

“ j *< 

Taylorville  Sec.  12 
Sharpsburg  Sec.  1 

U I ii 

Taylorville  Sec.  23 

U U 

Blackburn  Sec.  7 
Taylorville  Sec.  36 

U 

Sec.  3 

Sec.  12 

Sharpsburg  .Sec.  1 
‘‘  “ 

Edinburg  Sec.  10 
Dec’d,  July  8, 1878 
Edinburg  ,.Sec.  3 


Blackburn  Sec.  18 
Dec’d,  May  1870 
Taylorville  Sec.  4 
Dec’d,  Sept.  27,  ’69 
Taylorville  Sec.  4 
‘‘  Sec.  9 


Farmer  and  Stock  Raiser 
F’mer,  St’k  Raiser  & Fdr 
Wife  of  L.  Adams 
Fartner,  St’k  R’ser  & Dir 
Wife  of  J.  C.  Bull pitt 
F’mer,  F’der  & St’k  T’d’r 
Wife  of  J.  Calloway 
Farmer  and  Stock  Raiser 
Wife  of  W.  H.  Crowl 
Physician,  P.  M.  & Merc. 
Wife  of  J.  H.  Dickerson 
Farmer  and  Stock  Rai.ser 
Wife  of  W.  Fields 
Farmer  and  Stock  Raiser! 
W’ife  of  C.  C.  George 
Farmer  and  Stock  Raiser' 
F’nier,  St’k  R’ser  & T’chr 
Wife  of  I.  J.  Glass 
Farmer 

Wife  of  W.  Hawkins 
F’mer,  Fd’r,Stk  Dir,  Sup 
Wife  of  M.  Kavanaugh 
F’mer,  Feeder  & St’k  Dir 
Wife  of  E.  Leigh 
Farmer  and  Stock  Raiser 
Wife  of  P.  Liineach 
Farmer  and  Stock  Raiser 
Wife  of  R.  P.  Langley 
Farmer  and  Stock  Raiser 
Wife  of  S Mason 
Farmer  and  Stock  Raiser 
Late  Wife  of  R.  C.  Nance 
Farmer  and  Stock  Raiser 


Greene  Co.,  Ill  62 
North  Carolina  33 
Indiana  34 

Pr.  Edw’ds  Isld  58 
Vermont  i58 

New  York  57 
Christian  Co.  Ill  48 
Sangamon  Co.  II  68 

“71 

Indiana  70 

Illinois  50 

Fairfield  Co.,  O.  54 
Union  Co.,  O.  35  j 
Sangamon  Co.  II  68  ! 

“,68!| 

Kentucky  30  [ 
Indiana  73, 

Christian  Co.  Ill  59 
Kentucky  75 
‘‘  75 

Ireland  j.68 

“ 66 
Madison  Co.,  Ill  52 
Christian  Co.  Ill  35 
East  Virginia  72 
.Springfield,  O.  72 
Kentucky  32 
Clark  Co.,  Ind.  26 
Kentucky  51 
Christitm  Co.,  II  41 
Fayette  Co.,  III.  78 
“ “ 78 

Wash’g’n  Co.  In  34 
(thristian  Co.  Ill  55 
Ross  Co.,  Ohio  77 
Kentuckv  74 


Wife  of  A.  Ralston 
Farmer  and  .Stock  Raiser 
Late  Wife  of  .4.  A.  T.ay  lor  “ 

Farmer  and  Stock  Raiser  Illinois 
Late  Wife  of  J.  W.  Taff 
Present  Wife  of  J.  W. Tali' Ohio 
Farmer  and  Stock  Rai.ser  Kentucky 
“ Wife  of  W.  II.  Wilson  Perry  Co.,  111. 
.Sec.  25  Farmer  Kentucky 

“ Wife  of  A.  White  Cfiiristian  Co.  In 


i'\{ 


TOWN"  13  NORTH.  RANGE  4 WEST. 


J Armstrong,  T.  D. 

\ Rebecca  J.  Woosley 
r Crowl.  V.  B. 

.j  Crowl,  Eliza  D. 

( Mary  C.  Sanders 
J Flin,  William 
\ Diana  Oslev 


Pawnee 


Sec.  16  Farmer  and  .Stock  Kaiser  Augusta  Co.,  Va  55 
“ ‘‘  Wife  of  T.  I).  Armstrong  Kentucky  ;57 

“ Sec.  14  Farmer  and  Stock  Raiser  SangatnonCo.il  63 

Dec’d,  Dec.  14,  ’75  Late  Wife  of  V.B.  Crowl  .leflerson  Co.  Va  64 
Pawnee  .Sec.  14  Pres’ t Wife  of  V.  B.  Crowl  Loudon  Co.  Va  76 
Edinburg  Sec.  2 Farmer  and  .Stock  Raiser  Kentucky  j59 

“ ‘‘  Wife  of  W.  Flin  Sangamon  Co.  II  59 


Battan,  John  C. 

Marv  A.  Dickinson 

Black,  W.  F. 

Rebecca  Shivers 
Deeren,  William 
Mat  ia  Scott 
Gardener,  Nathan 
Francis  T.  Harris 
Gardner,  Henry  T. 
Clarinda  Dutik 
Harriet  Wtird 
Henshie,  Abram 
Elizabeth  Uhrich 
Hurl  butt,  E.  S. 

Mary  A.  Hoagland 
Hiirlbutt,  C.  A. 

.Sartih  Baughman 
Hedden,  Lydia  A. 
Richard  W.  Yates 
II.  M.  Watts 
.Siilina  M.  Yates 
Hiirring,  John 
Susanna  Weiser 
Hart,  Elizabeth  M. 
Marion  Redfern 
Kemmercr,  Joseph 
Matilda  E.  Johnson 
Kerns,  J.  D. 

1 lattie  Goodrich 
I, add,  Noyes 
Phoebe  Williams 
E iza  J.  Kennard 
Minnis,  W.  F. 

Matilda  E.  Denton 
Emma  J.  Gardener 
McNeill,  Francis  A. 
Sarah  A.  .Sharj) 
Reimer,  Isaac 
Catharine  .Scheib 
Rucker,  Bishop  E. 
Lucinda  Shafer 
Swigert,  .John  F. 
Maximillia  Taylor 
Shultz,  Jacob 
Sarah  Zeller 
Scheib,  Peter 
Leah  Wright 
.Scheib,  Pliares  .S. 
Lydia  A.  Rohn 
Sharp,  John 
Emeline  Reilfern 
Sheldon,  S.  M. 

Mary  I.  Wood 
SalmonBiglow  Sheldon 
Eveline  Maxwell 
Smith,  .Stephen  J. 
Harriet  Vandeveer 
Sarah  B.  Lee 
.Sharp,  George  Riley 
Susan  Hanon 
Waller,  W D. 
Xemenia  P.  .Sharp 
Weiser,  .John 
Weiser,  Philip 
Mary  Weiser 
Wei-er,  Louisa  P. 


Grove  City 

Sec.  12 

12 

Edinburg 

19 

i “ 

19 

iGrove  City 

9 

1 “ 

9 

Sharpsburg 

20 

t “ 

2.) 

Edinburg 

16 

Dee’ll  May 

14,  ’64 

jEiiinbtirg 

Sec.  16 

Grove  City 

2 

2 

jStonington 

13 

1 “ 

1 

13 

12 

a 

12 

Sharpsburg 

32 

Deed  in  Ky.  Feb. 

19,  ’59 

Dec’d  July 

4,  ’70 

Sharpsburg 

Sec.  32 

Edinburg 

6 

“ 

6 

Sharp.sburg 

29 

“ 

29 

Edinburg 

5 

Dec’d  Oct. 

20, ’73 

Sliarpsburg 

Sharps. 

ti 

Sec.  33 

Dec’d  May 

22,  ’66 

Sharpsburg 

Sec.  33 

29 

Dec’d  Aug 

31, ’69 

Sec.  29 

Sliarpsburg 

Sliarps. 

Grove  City 

Sec.  10 

“ 

10 

Taylorville 

35 

“ 

35 

Grove  City 

10 

(( 

10 

a 

3 

Deceased 

Mar.  17,74 

“ 

Sec.  1 1 

it 

11 

It 

11 

“ 

11 

Sliarpsburg 

32 

3^ 

It 

OO 

33 

Dec’d  Nov 

20.  ’79 

Dec’d  Sept. 

30,  ’69 

Sharpsburg 

Sec.  31 

Deed  A|)ril 

18.58 

Shar|)sburg 

.Sec.  31 

it 

O- 

32 

** 

Sharps. 

ii 

Taylorville 

Sec.  33 

Dec  Aug  54 

CassCo.n 

Taylorville 

Sec.  33 

Eilinbiirg 

22 

Farmer  and  Stock  Raiser 
Wife  of  J.  C.  Battan 
Farmer  and  Stock  Raiser 
Wife  of  W.  F.  Black 
Farmer  and  Stock  Raiser 
Wife  of  W.  Deeren 
Farmer  and  Stock  Raiser 
Wife  of  N.  Gardener 
Farmer  and  Stock  Raiser 
First  wife  H.  T.  Gardner 
Pres,  wife  II.  T.  Gardner 
Farmer 

Wife  of  A.  Henshie 
Farmer  and  Stock  Raiser 
Wife  of  E.  S.  Hurlbutt 
Farmer  and  .Stock  Raiser 
Wife  of  C.  A.  Hurlbutt 
Farming  & Stock  Raising 
First  hush.  L.  A.  Hedden 
See’d  litisb.  L.  A.  Hedden 

Daugli.  R.  W.  Yates  & L.  A.  Hedden 

Farmer  and  Stock  Raiser 
Wife  of  J.  Hurriiig 
Form  wile  of  Marion  Redfern 
Farmer  and  Stock  Raiser 
Earmer  and  .Stock  Rai.ser 
Late  wife  of  J.  Kemmerer 
Teacher 

Wife  of  J.  D.  Kerns 
Farm.  .Stock  Raiser  & Breeder 
First  Wife  of  N.  Ladd 
Present  wife  of  N.  Ladd 
Farmer  and  Stoek  Raiser 
First  wife  W.  F.  Minnis 
Pres,  wife  W.  F.  Minnis 
Physician  and  Surgeon 
Wife  of  Dr.  McNeill 
Farmer  and  Stock  Raiser 
Wife  of  I.  Reimer 
Farmer  and  Stock  Raiser 
Wife  of  B.  E Rucker 
Farmer  and  Stock  Raiser 
Wife  of  J.  F.  .Swigeit  | 
Retired  Farmer 
Late  wife  of  .1.  Shultz 
Farmer  and  .Stock  Raiser 
Wife  of  P.  Scheib 
Farmer  and  .Slock  Raiser 
Wife  of  P.  S.  Scheib 
Farmer  & Nottiry  Public 
Wife  of  J.  .Sharp 
Farmer  ami  Stock  Raiser 
Wife  of  S.  M Sheldon  i 
Ftither  of  S.  M Sheldon 

Untc  wife  S.  H.  Sheddon  A;  Mother 
nt  M.  M.  Sheldon 

Farmer  and  Stock  Raiser 
First  wife  of  S J.  .Smith 
Wife  of  S.  J.  .Smith 
Faimer,  .Stock  Raiser  4 Sup. 
Wife  of  (G.  R.  S.) 
General  Merchant 
Wife  of  W.  I).  Wither 
Farmer  and  .Stock  Raiser 
Father  of  ,1.  Weiser 
Mother  of  J.  Weiser 
Fiiriuer  and  Stork  Raiser 


Ashland  Co.  O 
Macon  Co.  N.  C 
Boone  Co.  Ohio 
Highland  Co.  O 
Guernsey  Co.  O 
Guernsey  Co.  O 
Maury  Co.  Tenn 
Louisa  Co.  Va 
Maury  Co.  Tenn 
Macoupin  Co.  If 
Macon  Co  111 
Madison  Co.  O 
Stark  Co.  Ohio 
Odleiown,  Cana 
Stark  Co.  Ohio 
.Madi.son  Co.  O 
.Madison  Co.  O 
Shelby  Co.  Ky 

Shelby  Co.  Ky 
Anders’n  Co.  Ky 
Germany 
Germany 
Morgan  Co.  Ill 
Macoupin  Co.  II 

Northampton  Co.  Pa 
Northampton  Co.  Pa 

Marion  Co.  O 
Jersey  Co.  Ill 

New  Loudon  Co.  Conn 
New  London  Co.  Conn 

.Mifilin  Co.  Pa 
Kentucky 
Cliristiaii  Co.  Ill 
Fayette  Co.  Ill 
Siuigamon  Co.  II 
Christiiin  Co.  Ill 

Northampton  Co.  P.a 

Bucks  Co.  Pa 
Sangamon  Co.Il 
Ohio  Co.  Va 
Gwen  Co.  Ky 
Shelby  Co.  Ky 
Lancast(>rCo.Pa 
Lancaster  Co.  Pa 
Bucks  Co.  Pa 
Madi.son  Co.  Ill 
Bucks  Co.  Pa 

Northampton  Co.  Pa 

ClaiboiirneC,).T 
Macoupin  Co.Il  I 
(Jliristian  Co.  Ill 
Lee  Co.  Ill 
Levden,  Mass 
(Jiil'ord,  Vt 
Burt  Co.  N.  C. 

WiV-sliin^ton  Co.  Ind 

Tennessee 
CliiiboiirneCo.T 
Christian  C<>.  Ill 
Dixon  Co.  Tenn 
Cliristian  Co-  HI 
Germtiny 
Germany 
Germany 
Ciiss  Ci>.  Ill 


()5 

65 
63 

63 

64 
64 
56 
56 

56 

52 

66 
5/ 

57 
57 
57 
57 
57 
59 

56 

59 

t.2 

62 

5-j 

55 
61 

64 
70 
7o 

48 

49 
68 
30 
92 

56 
74 
5.J 
6) 

65 

57 
by 
",7 
77 
64 

64 

66 
66 

65 

66 

53 
53 
4/ 
74 
38 

38 

39 
42 
5) 
52 
38 
51 
59 
69 

69 

()9 


KEYISED  COYSTITETION  OF  ILLINOIS, 


PREAMBLE. 

'We,  the  people  of  the  State  of  Illinois — grateful  to  Almighty  God  for  the  civil,  political 
and  religious  liberty  which  lie  hath  so  long  permitted  us  to  enjoy,  and  looking  to  Him  for 
a blessing  upon  our  endeavors  to  secure  and  transmit  the  same  unimpaired  to  succeeding 
generations — in  < rder  to  form  a more  perfect  government,  establish  justice,  insure  domestic 
tranquility,  provide  for  the  common  defense, promote  the  general  welfare,  and  secure  the  I less- 
ings  of  liberty  to  ourselves  and  our  posterity;  do  ordain  and  establish  this  constitution  for 
the  State  of  Illinois. 

ARTICLE  I. 

BOUNDARIES. 

The  boundaries  and  jurisdiction  of  the  State  shall  be  as  follow'S,  to  wit:  Beginning  at 

the  mouth  of  the  Wabash  river;  thence  up  the  same,  and  with  the  line  of  Indiana,  to  the 
northwest  corner  of  said  State  ; thence  east,  with  the  line  of  the  same  State,  to  the  middle 
of  Lake  Michigan  ; thence  north,  along  the  middle  of  s.aid  lake,  to  north  latitude  42  degrees 
and  30  minutes;  thence  west  to  the  middle  of  the  Mississippi  river,  and  thence  down  along 
the  middle  of  that  river  to  its  confluence  with  the  Ohio  river,  and  thence  up  the  latter  river, 
along  its  northwestern  shore,  to  the  place  of  beginning  : Provided,  that  this  State  shall  exer- 
cise such  jurisdiction  upon  the  Ohio  river  as  she  is  now  entitled  to,  or  such  as  may 
hereafter  be  agreed  upon  by  this  State  and  the  State  of  Kentucky. 

ARTICLE  II. 

BIEL  OF  RIGHTS. 


\ 14.  No  ex  post  faelo  law-,  or  law  impairing  the  obligation  of  contract',  or  making  anv 
irrevocable  grant  of  special  privileges  or  immunities,  shall  be  passerl. 

§ 15.  The  military  shall  be  in  strict  subordination  to  the  civil  power. 

1 16.  No  soldier  shall,  in  time  of  peace,  be  quartered  in  any  house  without  the  consent 
of  tne  owner  ; nor  in  time  of  war  except  in  the  manner  prescribed  by  law. 

^ 17.  The  people  have  the  right  to  assemble  in  a peaceable  manner  to  consult  for  the 
common  good,  to  make  known  their  opinions  to  their  representatives,  and  to  apply  for 
redress  of  grievances. 

2 18.  All  elections  shall  be  free  and  equal. 

\ 19.  Every  person  ought  to  find  a certain  remedy  in  the  laws  for  all  injuries  and  wrongs 
which  he  may  receive  in  his  person,  property  or  reputation;  he  ought  to  obtain,  by  law, 
right  and  justice  freely,  and  without  being  obliged  to  purchase  it,  completely  and  without 
denial,  promptly  and  without  delay. 

^ 20.  A Irequent  recurrence  to  the  fundamental  principles  of  civil  government  is  abso- 
lutely necessary  to  preserve  the  blessings  of  liberty. 

ARTICLE  III. 

DISTRIBUTION  OF  POWERS. 

The  "'owers  of  the  Government  of  this  State  are  divided  into  three  distinct  departments 
— the  Legislative,  Executive  and  Judicial  ; and  no  person,  or  collection  of  persons,  being 
one  of  these  departments,  shall  exercise  any  power  properly  belonging  to  either  of  the 
others,  except  as  hereinafter  expressly  directed  or  permitted. 

ARTICLE  IV. 


3 T.  Inherent  and  Inalienable  Rights. 

3 2.  Luc  I'rocess  of  Law. 

3 3.  Liberty  of  Conscience  Gu  ranteed. 

? 4.  Krecdom  of  the  Press-  Libel. 

I 5.  Right  cf  Trial  by  Jury. 

3 6.  Unreasonable  Searches  and  Seizures. 

3 7.  Pail  allowed— -Writ  of  Habeas  i._orpus. 

I 8.  Indictment  required — Grand  Jury  Abulished. 
^ 9.  Rights  of  Prrsons  Accused  ol  Crime. 

^ to.  Scll-Criminaaon — Former  lri..l. 


2 II.  Penalties  proportionate  — Corruption  — For- 

feiture. 

^ 12.  Itiiprisonment  for  Debt. 

3 13.  Compensation  for  Property  taken. 

3 14.  Ex  post  facto  laws — Irrevocable  Grants. 

3 15.  Military  Power  Subordinate. 

3 16.  Quartering  of  Soldiers. 

3 17.  Right  of  Assembly  and  PetUion. 

3 18.  Elections  to  be  Free  and  Equal. 

3 19.  What  Laws  ought  to  be. 

\ 20.  Fundamental  Principles. 


^ I.  All  men  are  hy  nature  free  and  independent,  and  have  certain  inherent  and  inalien- 
rhle  right- — among  these  are  life,  liberty,  and  the  pursuit  of  happiness.  To  secure  these 
rghts  and  the  protection  of  property,  governments  are  instituted  among  men,  deriving  their 
just  powers  from  the  consent  of  the  governed. 

g 2.  No  [lerson  shall  be  deprived  of  life,  liberty  or  property,  without  due  process  of  law. 

I 3.  'I'he  free  exercise  and  enjoyment  of  religious  )>rofession  and  worship,  without  d.s- 
rriminalion,  shall  forever  be  guaranteed  ; and  no  person  shall  be  denied  any  civil  or  political 
right,  privilege  or  capacity,  on  account  of  his  reiigious  opinions;  but  the  lilierty  of  conscience 
hereby  secured  shall  not  be  construed  to  dispense  with  oaths  or  affirmations,  excuse  acts  of 
licentiousness,  or  justify  practices  inconsistent  with  the  peace  or  safely  of  the  State.  No 
person  shall  be  required  to  attend  or  support  any  ministry  or  jilace  of  worship  against  his 
consent,  nor  shall  any  j rcfcrei  ce  be  given  by  law  to  any  religious  denomination  or  mode  of 
worship. 

4.  Every  person  may  freely  speak,  write  and  publish  on  all  subjects,  being  responsible 
lor  the  abuse  of  that  liberty;  and  in  all  tiials  lor  libel,  both  civil  and  criminal,  the  truth, 
vhen  published  with  good  motives  and  for  justifiable  ends,  shall  be  a sufficient  defense. 

^ 5.  The  right  of  trial  fiy  jury  as  heretofore  ettjoyed  shall  remain  inviolate;  but  the 

trial  of  civil  cases  before  justices  of  the  peace  hy  a jury  of  less  than  twelve  men,  may  be 
aulhorized  by  law. 

6.  The  light  of  the  people  to  he  secure  in  their  j ersons,  houses,  jiaprrs  and  effects, 
against  unreasonable  searches  and  seizures,  sliall  not  he  violated  ; and  no  warrant  shall 
j-siie  without  prolrahle  cause,  sujiported  by  affidavit,  particularly  describing  the  place  to  be 
searcher),  and  the  person  or  things  to  be  seized. 

^ 7.  All  persons  shall  be  bailable  by  sufficient  sureties,  except  for  capital  t flenses,  whe-e 

the  proof  is  evident  or  the  jiresuniption  great ; and  ihe  privilege  of  ihe  writ  ol  habeas  eorpus 
shall  nr.t  be  suspended,  unless  when  in  cases  of  rebellion  or  invasion  the  jiubl.c  safely  m.ay 
re'|iiirc  it. 

{I  8.  No  person  shall  he  held  to  answer  for  a criminal  offense,  unless  on  indictment  r f a 
gran'l  jury,  except  in  cases  in  which  the  punishriicnl  is  by  fine,  or  iniprisonment  ollicrwise  than 
in  the  pcnilenliary,  in  cases  ol  inipeachmcnt,  and  in  cases  aiising  in  the  army  and  navy.  tT 
in  the  millti.i  wlu-n  in  actual  servue  in  time  of  war  or  jmhlic  danger:  Provided,  that  the 
graml  jury  may  be  abolislud  by  law  in  all  cases. 

\ 9.  In  all  ciiminal  |.rosctiitions,  the  accused  shall  have  the  right  to  .appear  and  dcfeiul 

in  person  and  hy  counsel;  to  demand  the  naliiie  and  cause  of  the  accusation,  and  to  have  a 
ropy  thereof;  to  meet  the  witnesses  face  to  face,  .and  to  have  process  to  rnrn|)cl  the  atleiid- 
nnee  of  witnesses  in  his  behalf,  and  a speedy  public  trial  liy  an  impartial  jury  of  the  county 
or  district  m which  the  offense  is  allcgerl  to  have  been  coiiiniilted. 

\ 10.  No  person  shall  be  ronipellerl  in  any  ciiminal  case  to  give  evidence  against  him- 
self, or  be  twice  put  in  jeopardy  for  the  sanic  offt  nse-. 

^ It.  All  penalties  '.hall  be  proportioned  to  the  nature  of  the  offense;  and  no  conviction 
shall  work  corrujition  of  blood  or  forfeiture  of  cslaic;  nor  shall  any  person  be  transported 
out  of  the  State  for  any  offense  coniniilterl  wiiliin  the  same. 

J 12.  No  person  -h.ill  be  imprisoned  for  debt,  unless  upon  refusal  to  deliver  up  his  rs'alc 
for  the  benefit  of  liis  creditors,  in  such  m.inner  as  sluall  be  jrrcscribed  by  law  ; or  in  cases 
where  there  is  strong  presumption  of  fraud. 

^ 13.  I’rivate  |)ro|>crty  .shall  not  be  l iken  or  damaged  for  public  use  without  pist  compen- 
sation. Siiih  compens.ilioii,  when  tiot  made  by  the  State,  shall  he  .ascertained  hy  a iniy,  as 
hall  he  prescribed  by  law.  'I  he  fr^  of  land  taken  for  railroad  tracks,  wilboiit  consent  of 
the  owners  thereof,  -li.sll  remain  in  .sueh  owners,  subject  to  the  u-c  fur  which  it  is  takoii. 


LEGISLATIVE  DEPARTMENT. 


iZ  I.  General  Assembly  elective. 

3 2.  'J'ime  of  Election — Vacancies. 

3 3.  Who  are  Eligible. 

Z 4.  Disqualification  by  Crime. 

5.  Oath  taken  by  members. 

6.  Senatorial  Apportionments. 

7.  & 8.  Minority  Representation. 

9.  T ime  of  meeting— General  Rules. 

10.  Secretary — Adjournment — Journals,  Protests. 
:i.  Style  of  Laws. 

12.  Origin  and  passage  of  Bills. 

13.  Reading — Printing  - Title — Amendments. 

14.  Privileges  of  members, 
j!  13.  llisabilities  of  members. 

3 16.  Pills  making  Appropriations. 

^17.  Payment  of  money — Statement  of  Expenses. 


i 18.  Ordinary-  Expenses— Casual  Deficits— Appro- 
priations limited. 

^ 19.  Extra  Compensaiion  or  Allowance. 

3 20.  Public  Credit  not  loaned. 

3 21.  Pay  and  mileage  of  members. 

3 22.  Special  Legislation  prohibited. 

3 23.  Against  Release  from  Liability. 

3 24.  Proceedings  on  Impeachment. 

I 25.  huel,  Stationery,  and  Printing. 

3 26.  State  not  to  be  sued. 

3 27.  Lotteries  ami  Giit  Enterprises. 

3 28.  Terms  of  Office  not  Extended. 

Z.  29.  Protection  of  operative  minrrs. 

3 30.  Concerning  Roads — public  and  private. 

3 31.  Draining  and  Ditching. 

3 32.  Homestead  and  Exemption  L.aws. 

3 33.  Completion  of  the  State  House. 


Z,  I.  The  legi.slative  power  .shall  b"  vested  in  a General  Assembly,  which  shall  consist 
of  a Senate  and  House  of  Representatives,  bolh  to  be  elected  by  the  people. 


ELECTION. 

? 2.  An  election  for  members  of  the  General  Assembly  shall  he  held  on  the  Tuesday 
next  after  the  fiist  Monday  in  November,  in  the  year  of  our  Lord  one  thousand  eight  hun- 
dred and  seventy,  and  every  two  years  thereafter,  in  each  county,  at  such  places  therein  as 
may  be  provided  by  law.  When  vacancies  occur  in  either  house,  the  governor,  or  person 
exercising  the  powers  of  governor,  shall  issue  writs  of  election  to  fill  such  vacancies. 


ELIGIBILITY  AND  OATH. 

^ 3.  No  person  shall  be  a senator  who  shall  not  have  attained  the  age  of  twenly-fivo 
years,  or  a rtjjreseniative  who  shall  rot  have  attained  the  age  of  twenty-one  years.  No 
person  shall  he  a senator  or  a rcpiesentative  who  shall  not  be  a citizen  of  the  United  States, 
and  who  shall  not  have  been  for  five  years  a resident  of  this  State,  and  for  two  years  next 
preceding  liis  election  a resident  within  ihe  territory  forming  the  district  from  which  he  is 
elected.  No  judge  or  clerk  of  any  court,  seertTary  of  state,  attorney  general,  state’s  attorney, 
recorder,  sheriff,  or  collector  of  public  revenue,  member  of  cither  house  of  congress,  or 
]ierson  holding  any  lucrative  oflice  under  the  United  States  or  this  State,  or  any  foreign 
government,  shall  have  a se.at  in  the  general  assembly:  Provided,  that  appointments  in  the 
iiiililia,  and  the  offices  of  notary  public  and  justice  of  the  peace,  .sh.all  not  be  considered 
lucrative.  Nor  shall  any  person,  holding  any  office  of  honor  or  ]irofit  under  any  foreign 
government,  or  under  the  government  of  the  I’niled  .States,  (excejit  jiostmastcrs  whose 
annual  compensation  does  not  exceed  the  sum  of  ^1300,)  hold  any  office  of  honor  or  profit 
under  the  authorily  of  this  Stale. 

\ 4.  No  jierson  who  lias  been,  or  hereafter  shall  he,  convicted  of  hrihery,  perjury  cr 
other  infamous  crime,  nor  any  person  who  has  been  or  m.ay  be  a collector  or  holder  of  public 
moneys,  who  shall  not  have  accounted  for  and  jiaid  over,  according  to  law,  all  such  moneys 
due  from  him,  shall  be  eligible  to  the  general  assembly,  or  to  any  cflice  of  profit  or  trust  in 
this  Slate. 

^ 6.  Members  of  the  general  assembly,  before  they  enter  upon  tlicir  official  duties,  shall 
take  and  subscribe  the  following  oath  or  aflirmation  : 

1 

■'  I do  snlcninly  swear  tor  affirm)  that  I will  support  the  constitution  of  the  L’nitcd  States,  and  the  const!- 
tiiiion  ol  the  Stale  of  Illinois,  and  will  Inilhfiilly  discharge  the  duties  of  senator  lor  rcprcSLiitatiic)  aciordir.,'; 
to  the  host  ol  my  iihiliiy  ; and  that  I have  not,  knowingly  or  iiiteiiiioiially,  paid  or  conlrihuted  anything,  or 
ni.ide  any  pioniise  in  ihc  n.iliire  of  .1  hribc,  to  directlyor  indirectly  iiilliicncc  any  vote  at  ihc  election  at  which 
I was  < Tioscn  to  fill  the  s.iid  office,  and  have  not  accepted,  nor  will  I accept  or  receive,  directly  or  indirectly, 
anv  moni'v  or  other  valnahle  thing,  from  any  corporal  ion,  com  pany  or  person,  for  any  vote  or  influence  1 may 
give  or  withhold  on  any  bill,  resolution  or  appropriation,  or  for  any  other  official  act.” 


This  oalh  shall  be  administered  by  a judge  of  tlie  supreme  or  circuit  court,  in  the  hall  of 
the  house  to  which  the  nicuibcr  is  clecleil,  and  the  secretary  of  state  shall  record  and  file 
the  oath  subscribed  by  each  member.  Any  member  who  shall  refuse  to  take  the  oalh  herein 


prescribed,  shall  forfeit  his  office,  and  every  member  who  shall  be  convicted  of  having 
sworn  falsely  to,  or  of  violating,  his  said  oath,  shall  forfeit  his  office,  and  be  disqualified 
thereafter  from  holding  any  office  of  profit  or  trust  in  this  State. 

APPORTIONMENT— SENATORIAL. 

^ 6.  The  general  assembly  shall  apportion  the  State  evei-y  len  years,  beginning  with  the 
year  1871,  by  dividing  ihe  population  of  the  State,  as  ascertained  by  the  federal  census,  by 
Ihe  number  51,  and  the  quotient  shall  I e the  ratio  of  representation  in  the  senate.  The 
State  shall  be  divided  into  51  senatorial  districts,  each  of  which  shall  elect  one  senator, 
whose  term  of  office  shall  be  four  years.  The  senators  elected  in  the  year  of  our  Lord 
1872,  in  districts  bearing  odd  numbers,  shall  vacate  their  offices  at  the  end  of  two  years, 
and  those  elected  in  districts  bearing  even  numbers,  at  the  end  of  four  years  ; and  vacancies 
occurring  by  the  expiration  of  term,  shall  be  filled  by  the  election  of  senators  for  the  full 
term.  Senatorial  districts  shall  be  formed  of  contiguous  and  compact  territory,  bounded 
by  county  lines,  and  contain  as  nearly  as  practicable  an  equal  number  of  inhabitants;  but 
no  district  shall  contain  less  than  four-fifths  of  the  senatorial  ratio.  Counties  containing 
not  less  than  the  ratio  and  three-fourths,  may  be  divided  into  separate  districts,  and  shall  be 
entitled  to  two  senators,  and  to  one  additional  senator  for  each  number  of  inhabitants  equal 
to  the  ratio,  contained  by  such  counties  in  excess  of  twice  the  number  of  said  ratio. 

Note. — By  the  adoption  of  minority  representation,  7 and  8,  of  this  article,  cease  to  he  a part  of  the 
constitution.  Under  ^ 12  of  the  schedule,  and  the  vole  of  adoption,  the  following  section  relating  to  minority 
representation  is  substituted  for  said  sections  : 

MINORITY  REPRESENTATION. 

7 and  8.  The  house  of  representatives  shall  consist  of  three  limes  the  number  of  the 
members  of  the  senate,  and  the  term  of  office  shall  be  two  years.  Three  representalives 
shall  be  elected  in  each  senatoiial  district  at  the  general  election  iri  the  year  of  our  Lord 
1872,  and  every  two  years  thereafter.  In  all  elections  of  representatives  aforesaid,  each 
qualified  voter  may  cast  as  many  votes  for  one  candidate  as  there  are  representatives  to  be 
elected,  or  may  distribute  the  same,  or  equal  parts  thereof,  among  the  candidates,  as  he  shall 
see  fit;  and  the  candidates  highest  in  voles  shall  be  declared  elected. 

TIME  OF  MEETING  AND  GENERAL  RULES. 

^ 9.  The  sessions  of  the  general  assembly  shall  commence  at  12  o’clock  noon,  on  the 
Wednesday  next  after  the  first  Monday  in  January,  in  the  year  next  ensuing  the  election  of 
members  thereof,  and  at  no  other  time,  unless  as  provided  by  this  constitution.  A majority 
of  the  members  elected  to  each  house  shall  constitute  a quorum.  Each  house  shall  deter- 
mine the  rules  of  its  proceedings,  and  be  the  judge  of  the  election  returns  and  qualifica- 
tions of  its  members ; shall  choose  its  own  officers  ; and  the  senate  shall  choose  a temporary 
president  to  preside  when  the  lieutenant-governor  shall  not  attend  as  president  or  shall  act 
as  governor.  The  secretary  of  state  shall  call  the  house  of  representatives  to  order  at  the 
opening  of  each  new  assembly,  and  preside  over  it  until  a temporary  presiding  officer  thereof 
shall  have  been  chosen  ami  shall  have  taken  his  seat.  No  member  shall  be  expelled  by 
either  house,  except  by  a vote  of  two-lhiids  of  all  the  members  elected  to  that  house,  and 
no  member  shall  be  twice  expelled  for  the  same  offence.  Each  house  may  punish  by 
imprisonment  any  person,  not  a member,  who  shall  be  guilty  of  disiespect  to  the  house  by 
disorderly  or  contemptuous  behaviour  in  its  ]wesence.  But  no  such  imprisonment  shall 
extend  beyond  two  hours  at  one  time,  unless  the  person  shall  persist  in  such  disorderly  or 
contemptuous  behaviour. 

§ 10.  The  doors  of  each  house  and  of  committees  of  the  whole,  shall  be  kept  open, 
except  in  such  cases  as,  in  the  opinion  of  the  house,  require  secrecy.  Neither  house  shall 
without  the  consent  of  the  other,  adjourn  for  more  than  two  days,  or  to  any  other  place  than 
that  in  which  the  two  houses  shall  be  sitting.  Eich  house  shall  keep  a journal. of  its  pro- 
ceedings, which  shall  be  published.  In  the  senate  at  the  request  of  two  members,  and  in 
the  house  at  the  request  of  five  members,  the  yeas  and  nays  shall  be  taken  on  any  question, 
and  entered  upon  the  journal.  Any  two  members  of  either  house  shall  have  liberty  to  dis- 
sent from  and  protest,  in  respectful  language,  against  any  act  or  resolution  which  they  think 
injurious  to  the  public  or  to  any  individual,  and  have  the  reasons  of  their  dissent  entered 
upon  the  journals. 

STYLE  OF  LAWS  ANt)  PASSAGE  OF  151 LLS. 

§ 1 1.  The  style  of  the  laws  of  this  State  shall  be  : Be  it  enacted  by  the  People  of  ihe  Stale 
of  Illinois,  represented  in  the  General  Atsembly. 

I 12.  Bills  may  originate  in  either  house,  bat  may  be  altered,  amended  or  rejected  by  the 
otlier;  and  on  the  final  passage  of  all  bills,  the  vole  shall  be  by  yeas  and  nays,  upon  each 
bill  separately,  and  shall  be  entered  upon  the  journal;  and  no  bill  shall  become  a lavv 
without  the  concurrence  of  a majori  y of  the  members  elected  to  each  house. 

g 13.  Every  bill  shall  be  read  at  large  on  three  different  days,  in  each  house;  and  the 
bill  and  all  amendments  thereto  shall  be  printed  before  the  vote  is  taken  on  its  final  passage  ; 
and  every  bill,  having  passed  both  bouses,  shall  be  signed  by  the  speakers  thereof.  No  act 
hereafter  passed  shall  embrace  more  than  onesabject.  and  that  shall  be  expre-ssed  in  the  title. 
But  if  any  subject  shall  be  enihraced  in  an  act  which  shall  not  be  expressed  in  the  title,  such 
act  shall  be  void  only  as  to  so  much  thereof  as  shall  not  be  so  expressed ; and  no  law  shall 
be  revived  or  amended  by  reference  to  its  title  only,  but  the  law  revived,  or  the  section 
amended,  shall  be  inserted  at  length  in  the  new  act.  And  no  act  of  Ihe  general  assembly 
.shall  take  effect  until  the  first  day  of  July  next  after  its  passage,  unless,  in  ca'<e  of  emergency, 
(which  emergency  shall  be  expressed  in  the  preamble  or  body  of  the  act),  the  general 
assembly  shall,  by  a vole  of  two-thirds  of  all  the  members  elected  to  each  house,  otherwise 
direcl. 

PRIVILEGES  AND  DISABILITIES. 

g 14.  Senators  and  representatives  sholl,  in  all  cases,  except  treason,  felony  or  breach  of 
the  peace,  be  privileged  from  arrest  during  the  session  of  the  gcntral  assembly,  and  in  going 
to  and  returning  from  the  same;  and  for  any  speech  or  debate  in  either  house,  tiny  shall 
not  be  questioned  in  any  other  place. 

g 15.  No  person  elected  to  the  general  assembly  shall  receive  any  civil  appointment 
within  this  State  from  the  governor,  the  governor  and  senate,  or  from  the  general  assembly, 
during  the  term  for  which  he  shall  have  been  elected  ; and  all  such  appointments,  and  all 
votes  given  lor  any  such  members  for  any  such  office  or  appointment,  shall  be  void;  nor 
shall  any  memlier  of  the  general  assembly  be  interested,  either  directly  or  indirectly,  in  any 
contract  with  the  state,  or  any  county  thereof,  authorized  l;y  any  law  passed  during  the  term 
for  which  he  shall  have  been  elected,  or  within  one  year  after  the  expiration  thereof. 

PUBLIC  MONEYS  AND  APPROPRIATIONS. 

g 16.  The  general  assembly  shall  make  no  appropriation  of  money  cut  of  the  treasury  in 
any  piivate  law.  Bills  making  appr.  prialions  for  the  pay  of  members  and  officcis  of  the 
general  assembly,  and  for  the  salaiies  of  the  officers  of  the  government,  shall  contain  no 
provisions  on  any  other  subject. 

g 17.  No  money  shall  be  drawn  from  the  treasury  except  in  pursuance  of  an  appropriation 
made  by  law,  and  on  the  presentation  of  a warrant  issued  by  the  auditor  thereon;  and  no 
money  shall  be  diverted  from  any  appropriation  made  fi  r any  purpose,  or  taken  from  any 
fund  whatever,  either  by  joint  or  separate  resolution.  The  auditor  shall,  within  60  days 


after  the  adjournment  of  each  session  of  the  general  assembly,  prepare  and  publish  a full 
statement  of  all  money  expended  at  such  session,  specifying  the  amount  of  each  item,  and 
to  whom  and  for  what  paid. 

g 18.  Each  general  assembly  shall  provide  for  all  the  appropriations  necessary  for  the 
ordinary  and  contingent  expenses  of  the  government  until  the  expiration  of  the  first  fiscal 
quarter  after  the  adjournment  of  the  next  regular  session,  the  aggregate  amount  of  which 
shall  not  be  increased  without  a vote  of  two-thirds  of  the  members  elected  to  each  house, 
nor  exceed  the  amount  of  revenue  authorized  by  law  to  be  raised  in  such  time;  and  all 
appropriations,  general  or  special,  requiring  money  to  be  paid  out  of  the  State  Treasury, 
from  funds  belonging  to  the  State,  shall  end  with  such  fiscal  quarter:  Provided,  the  Stale 
may,  to  meet  casual  deficits  or  failures  in  revenue,  contiact  debts,  never  to  exceed  in 
the  aggregate  ^250,000;  and  moneys  thus  borrowed  shall  be  applied  to  the  purpose  for 
which  they  w'ere  obtained,  or  to  pay  the  debt  thus  created,  and  to  no  other  purpose  ; and 
no  other  debt,  except  for  the  purpose  of  repelling  invasion,  suppressing  insuriection,  cr 
defending  the  State  in  war,  (for  payment  of  which  the  faith  of  the  State  shall  be  pledged), 
shall  be  contracted,  unless  the  law  authorizing  the  same  shall,  at  a general  election,  have 
been  submitted  to  the  people,  and  have  received  a majority  of  the  votes  cast  for  members 
of  the  general  asseml)ly  at  suclt  election.  The  general  assembly  shall  provide  for  the 
publication  of  said  law  for  three  months,  at  least,  before  the  vote  of  the  people  shall  be 
taken  upon  the  same;  and  provision  shall  be  made,  at  the  lime,  for  the  payment  of  Ihe 
interest  annually,  as  it  shall  accrue,  by  a tax  levied  for  the  purpose,  or  (rom  other  sources 
of  revenue;  which  law,  providing  fur  the  payment  of  such  interest  by  such  tax,  shall  be 
irrepealable  until  such  debt  be  paid:  And  provided,  further,  that  the  law  levying  the  tax 
shall  be  submitted  to  the  people  with  the  law  authorizing  the  debt  to  be  contracted. 

g 19.  The  general  assembly  shall  never  grant  or  authorize  extra  compensation,  fee  or 
allowance  to  any  public  officer,  agent,  servant  or  contractor,  after  service  has  been  rendered 
or  a contract  made,  nor  authorize  the  payment  of  any  claim,  or  part  thereof,  hereafter 
created  against  the  btate  under  any  agreement  or  contract  made  without  express  authority  of 
law  ; and  all  such  unauthorized  agreeiiients  r.r  contracts  shall  be  null  and  void  : Provided, 
the  general  assembly  may  make  appropriations  for  expenditures  incurred  in  suppressing 
insurrection  or  repelling  invasion. 

g 20.  The  State  shall  never  pay,  assume  or  become  responsible  for  Ihe  debts  or  liabilities 
of,  or  in  .any  manner  give,  loan  or  extend  its  credit  to,  or  m aid  of  any  public  cr  othei 
coiporation,  association  or  individual. 

PAY  OF  MEMBERS. 

g 21.  The  members  of  the  general  assembly  shall  receive  for  their  services  the  sum  of  $5 
per  day,  during  the  first  session  held  under  this  constitution,  and  10  cents  for  each  mile 
necessarily  traveled  in  going  to  and  returning  from  the  seat  of  government,  to  be  computed 
by  the  auditor  of  public  accounts;  and  thereafter  such  compensation  as  shall  be  prescribed 
by  law,  and  no  other  allowance  or  emolument,  directly  or  indirectly,  for  any  purpose 
whatever;  except  the  sum  of  $50  per  session  to  each  member,  which  shall  be  in  full  foi 
postage,  stationery,  newspapers,  and  all  other  incidental  expenses  and  perquisites;  but  n« 
change  shall  be  made  in  the  compensation  of  members  of  the  general  assembly  during  th( 
term  for  which  they  may  have  been  elected.  The  pay  and  mileage  allowed  to  each  membev 
of  the  general  assembly  shall  be  certified  by  the  speaker  of  their  respective  houses,  and 
entered  on  the  journals  and  published  at  the  close  of  each  session. 

SPECIAL  LEGISLATION  PROHIBITED. 

g 22.  The  general  assembly  shall  not  pass  local  or  special  laws  in  any  of  the  following 
enumerated  cases,  that  is  to  say  : fur — 

Granting  divorces ; 

Changing  the  names  of  persons  or  places; 

Laying  out,  opening,  altering,  and  working  roads  or  highways  ; 

Vacating  roads,  town  plats,  streets,  alleys  and  public  grounds; 

Locating  or  changing  county  seals ; 

Regulating  county  and  township  affairs; 

Regulating  the  practice  m courts  of  ju  f'ce ; 

Regulating  the  jurisdiction  and  duties  of  justices  of  the  peace,  police  magistrates,  and 
constables  ; 

Providing  for  changes  of  venue  in  civil  and  criminal  cases; 

Incorporating  cities,  towns,  or  villages,  or  changing  or  amending  the  charter  of  any  town, 
city  or  village ; 

Providing  for  the  election  of  members  of  the  hoard  of  supervisors  in  townships, 
incorporated  towns  or  cities  ; 

Summoning  and  impaneling  grand  or  petit  juries; 

Providing  for  the  management  of  common  schools; 

Regulating  the  rate  of  interest  on  money; 

The  opening  and  conducting  of  any  election,  or  designating  the  place  of  voting; 

The  sale  or  mortgage  of  real  estate  belonging  to  minors  or  others  under  disability; 

The  piotection  of  game  or  fi-.h  ; 

Chartering  or  licensing  ferries  or  toll  bridges; 

Remitting  fines,  penalties  or  forfeitures; 

Creating,  increasing,  or  decreasing  fees,  percentage  or  allowances  of  public  officers,  during 
the  term  fur  which  said  officers  are  elected  or  appointed  ; 

Changing  the  law  of  descent; 

Granting  to  any  corporation,  association  or  individual  the  right  to  lay  down  railroad 
tracks,  or  amending  existing  charters  fur  such  ]iurpose  ; 

Granting  to  any  corporation,  association  or  individual  any  special  or  exclusive  privilege, 
immunity  or  franchise  whatever. 

In  all  other  cases  where  a general  law  can  be  made  applicable,  no  special  law  shall  be 
enacted. 

^ 23.  The  general  assembly  shall  have  no  power  to  release  or  extinguish,  in  whole  or  in 
part,  the  indebtedness,  liability,  or  obligation  of  any  corporation  or  individual  to  this  State 
or  to  any  municipal  corporation  therein. 

IMPEACH.MENT. 

24.  The  house  of  representatives  shall  have  the  sole  power  of  impeachment;  but  a 
majority  of  all  the  members  elected  must  concur  therein.  All  impeachments  shall  be  tried 
by  the  senate;  and  when  silting  for  that  purpose,  the  senators  shall  he  upon  oath,  or  affirma- 
tion, to  do  justice  according  to  law  and  evidence.  When  the  governor  of  the  State  is  tried, 
the  chief  justice  shall  preside.  No  person  shall  be  convicted  without  the  concurrence  of 
two-thirds  of  the  senators  elected.  But  judgment,  in  such  cases,  shall  not  extend  further 
than  removal  from  office,  and  disqualification  to  hold  any  office  of  honor  profit  or  trust 
under  the  government  of  this  State.  The  party,  whether  convicted  or  .acquitted,  shall, 
nevertheless,  be  liable  to  prosecution,  trial,  judgment  and  punishment  according  to  law. 

MISCELLANEOUS. 

5 25.  The  general  assembly  shall  provide,  by  law,  that  the  fuel,  stationery  and  printing- 
paper  furnished  for  the  use  of  the  State;  the  copying,  printing,  binding  and  distributing  the 
laws  and  journals,  and  all  other  printing  ordered  by  the  general  as.semhly,  shall  he  let  1 y 
contract  to  the  lowest  responsible  bidder ; but  the  general  assembly  shall  fix  a maximum 


price  ; and  no  member  thereo'',  rr  other  officer  of  the  State,  shall  be  interested,  directly  or 
indirectly,  in  such  contract.  But  all  such  contracts  shall  be  subject  to  the  approval  of  the 
governor,  and  if  he  disapproves  the  same  there  shall  be  a re-letting  of  the  contract,  in  such 
manner  as  shall  be  prescribed  by  law. 

I 76.  The  State  of  Illinois  shall  never  be  made  defendant  in  any  court  or  law  of  equity. 

g 27.  The  general  a-sembly  shall  have  no  power  to  authorize  lotteries  or  gift  enterprises, 
for  any  purpose,  and  shall  pass  laws  to  prohibit  the  sale  of  lottery  or  gift  enterprise  tickets 
in  this  State. 

§ 28.  No  law  shall  be  passed  which  shall  operate  to  extend  the  term  of  any  public 
officer  after  his  election  or  appointment. 

§ 29.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  general  assembly  to  pass  such  laws  as  may  be  necessary 
for  the  protection  of  operative  miners,  by  providing  for  ventilation,  when  the  same  may  be 
required,  and  the  construction  of  escapement-shafts,  or  such  other  appliances  as  may  secure 
safety  in  all  coal  mines,  and  to  provide  for  the  enforcement  of  said  laws  by  such  penalties 
and  punishments  as  may  be  deemed  proper. 

^ 30.  The  general  assembly  may  provide  for  establishing  and  opening  roads  and  cart- 
ways, connected  with  a public  road,  for  private  and  public  use. 

^ 31.  The  general  assembly  may  pass  laws  permitting  the  owners  and  occupants  of  lands 
to  construct  d,ains  and  ditches,  for  agricultural  and  sanitary  purposes,  across  the  lands  of 
others. 

g 32.  The  general  assembly  shall  pass  liberal  and  homestead  and  exemption  Laws. 

§ 33.  The  general  assembly  shall  not  appropriate  out  of  the  State  treasury,  or  expend  on 
account  of  the  new  capital  grounds,  and  construction,  completion  and  furnishing  of  the 
State  house,  a sum  exceeding,  in  the  aggregrate,  ^3,500,000,  inclusive  of  all  appropriations 
heretofore  made,  without  fisst  submitting  the  proposition  for  an  additional  expenditure  to 
the  legal  voters  of  the  State,  at  a general  election  ; nor  unless  a majority  of  all  the  votes 
at  such  election  shall  be  for  the  proposed  additional  expenditure. 

ARTICLE  V. 


EXECUTIVE  DEP.VRTMENT. 


9 I.  Officers  of  this  Department. 
i 2.  Of  tn- Stale  Treasurer. 

^ 3.  Time  of  E ecting  State  Officers. 

4.  Returns — Tic — Contested  Election. 

1 5.  Eligibility  for  Office. 

d 6.  Governor — Power  and  Duty. 

3 7.  His  Message  and  Staiement. 

^ 8.  Convening  the  General  Assembly. 

^ 9.  Proroguing  the  General  Assembly. 

10.  Nominations  by  the  Governor. 

2 II.  Vacancies  may  be  filled. 

i 12.  Removals  by  tlic  Governor, 
g 13.  Reprieves — Commuta  ions— Pardens. 


^ 14.  Governor  as  Commandcr-in-Chief. 
I 15.  1 mpcachment  for  Misdemeanor. 

^ j6.  Veto  of  the  Governor. 

^17.  Lieutenant-Governor  ns  Governor. 
^ j8.  As  President  of  the  Senate. 

^ 19.  Vacancy  in  Governor’s  Office. 

I 20.  Vacancy  in  o h r Stale  Offices. 

3 21.  Reports  of  State  Officers. 

3 22.  Great  Seal  of  State. 
b 23.  Fees  and  Salaries. 

I 24.  Definition  of  “ Office.” 
g 25.  Oath  of  t_ivil  Ofneers. 


EXECUTIVE  DEPARTMENT. 


? I.  The  executive  department  shall  consist  of  a Governor,  Lieutenant-Governor,  Sec- 
retary of  State,  Auditor  of  Public  Accounts,  Treasurer,  Superintendent  of  Public  Ins' ruc- 
tion, and  Attorney-General,  vho  shall,  each,  with  the  exception  of  the  Treasurer,  bold  his 
office  for  the  term  of  four  >ears  from  the  second  Monday  of  January  next  after  his  election, 
and  until  his  successor  i.s  elected  and  quaPfied.  They  shall,  except  the  Lieutenant  Gov- 
ernor, reside  at  the  seat  of  government  during  their  term  of  office,  and  keep  the  public 
records,  books  and  papers  there,  and  shall  perform  such  duties  as  may  be  prescribed  by  law. 

^ 2.  The  Treasurer  shall  hold  his  office  for  the  term  of  two  years,  and  until  his  suc- 

cessor is  elected  and  qualified;  and  shall  be  ineligible  to  said  office  for  two  years  next  after 
the  end  of  the  term  for  which  lie  was  elected,  lie  may  be  required  by  the  Governor  to 
give  reasonable  additional  security,  and  in  default  of  so  doing  his  office  shall  be  deemed 
vacant. 

EEECTION. 


3.  An  election  for  Governor,  Lieutenant-Governor,  Secretary  of  State,  Auditor  of 
Pu.jlic  Accounts  and  Attorney-General,  shall  be  held  on  the  Tuesday  next  after  the  first 
Monday  in  November,  in  the  year  of  our  Lord  1872,  and  every  four  years  thereafter;  for 
Superintendent  of  Public  instruction,  on  the  Tuesday  next  after  the  first  Monday  of  Novem- 
loer,  in  the  year  1870,  and  every  four  years  thereafter;  and  for  Treasurer  on  the  day  last 
above  mentioned,  and  every  tw^  years  thereafter,  at  such  places  and  in  such  manner  as  may 
be  prescribed  by  law. 

^ 4.  The  returns  of  every  election  for  the  above  named  officers  shall  be  sealed  up  and 

transmitted,  by  the  returning  officers,  to  the  .Secretary  of  State,  directed  to  “'Ihe  Speaker 
of  the  House  of  Representatives,”  who  shall,  immediately  after  the  organization  of  the 
house,  and  before  proceeding  to  other  business,  open  and  publish  the  same  in  the  presence 
of  a majority  of  each  house  of  the  general  asscml  ly,  who  shall,  for  that  purpose,  assemble 
in  the  hall  of  the  house  of  representatives.  The  ]acrson  having  the  highest  number  of  votes 
for  either  of  the  said  offices  shall  be  declared  duly  elected;  but  if  two  or  more  have  an 
equal  and  the  highest  number  of  votes,  the  general  assembly  shall,  by  joint  ballot,  choose 
one  of  such  persons  for  said  office.  Contested  elections  for  all  of  said  offices  shall  be  de- 
termined by  both  houses  of  the  general  assembly,  by  joint  ballot,  in  such  manner  as  may 
be  jircscribed  by  law. 

El.ICinil.ITY. 

^ 5.  No  person  shall  be  eligible  to  the  office  of  governor,  or  lieutenant-governor,  who 

shall  not  have  attained  the  age  of  30  yearq  and  been,  for  five  years  next  preceding  his 
(lection,  a citizen  of  the  United  Slates  and  of  this  State.  Neither  the  governor,  lieutenant- 
governor,  auditor  of  public  accounts,  secretary  of  Slate,  superintendent  of  public  instruction 
nor  allorncy  general  shall  be  eligible  to  any  other  office  during  the  jieriod  for  avhich  be 
shall  have  been  elected. 

GOVERNOR. 

5 6.  The  supreme  executive  power  shall  be  vested  in  the  governor,  who  shall  take  care 

that  the  liws  be  laithfiilly  executed. 

^ 7.  The  governor  shall,  at  the  commencement  of  each  session,  and  at  the  close  of  bis 

t(  rm  of  office,  give  to  lhcgcncr.il  assembly  information,  by  message,  of  the  condition  of  the 
Slate,  and  shall  recommend  such  measures  as  he  shall  deem  expedient.  He  shall  account 
to  the  general  assembly,  and  accompany  bis  message  with  a statement  of  all  moneys  re- 
ceived and  [laid  out  by  him  from  any  funds  subject  to  his  order,  with  vouchers,  and,  at  the 
r immcncemi  nt  of  each  regular  session,  present  eslimalcs  of  the  amount  of  money  reipiired 
to  be  r.aiscd  by  taxation  for  all  purposes. 

J 8.  The  governor  m.iy,  on  extraordinary  occasions,  convene  the  general  assembly,  by 
protl.amalion,  staling  therein  the  ptir|H)sc  lor  which  they  arc  convened  ; and  the  general 
assembly  shall  enter  upon  no  business  except  that  for  which  they  were  called  together. 

J 9.  In  case  of  a disagreement  helween  the  two  houses  with  respect  to  the  lime  of  adjourn- 
ment, the  governor  may,  on  the  s.ame  being  certified  to  him,  by  the  house  first  moving  the 
adjournment,  adjourn  the  general  assembly  to  such  lime  as  he  tliiiiks  proper,  not  beyond  the 
first  day  of  the  next  regular  iscvsion. 

J 10.  The  governor  shall  nomins'e,  and  by  and  with  the  advice  and  consent  of  Ihe  senate, 
(a  majority  of  all  the  senators  selected  concurring,  by  yeas  and  nays,j  appoint  all  officers 


whose  offices  are  established  by  this  constitution,  or  which  may  be  created  by  law,  and  whase 
appointment  or  election  is  not  otherwise  provided  for;  and  no  such  offi.cr  shall  be  appointed 
or  elected  by  the  general  assembly. 

^ II.  In  case  of  a vacancy,  d ir'.ng  the  recess  of  the  senate,  in  any  office  which  is  not 
elective,  the  governor  shall  make  a temporary  appointment  uiril  the  next  meeting  of  the 
senate,  when  he  shall  nominate  some  person  to  fill  such  office;  and  any  person  so  nominated, 
who  is  confirmed  by  the  senate  (a  majority  of  all  the  senator;  elected  concurring  by  yeas  anil 
nays),  shall  hold  his  office  during  the  remainder  of  the  time,  and  until  his  successor  shall 
be  appointed  and  qualified.  No  person,  after  being  rejected  by  the  senate,  shall  be  again 
nominated  for  the  same  office  at  the  same  session,  unless  at  the  request  of  the  senate,  or  be 
appointed  to  the  same  office  duiing  the  recess  of  the  general  assembly. 

^12.  The  governor  shall  have  power  to  remove  any  officer  whom  he  may  appoint,  in 
case  of  incompetency,  neglect  of  duty,  or  malfeasance  in  office;  and  he  may  declare  his 
office  vacant,  and  fill  the  same  as  is  herein  provided  in  other  cases  of  vacancy. 

^13.  The  governor  shall  have  power  to  grant  reprieves,  commutations  and  pardons,  after 
conviction,  for  all  offences,  subject  to  such  regulations  as  may  be  provided  by  law  relative  to 
he  manner  of  applying  therefor. 

^ 14.  The  governor  shall  be  commander-in-chief  of  the  military  and  naval  forces  of  the 
State  (except  when  they  shall  he  called  into  the  service  of  the  United  States) ; and  may  c.,11 
out  the  same  to  execute  the  laws,  suppress  insurrection,  and  repel  invasion. 

^15.  The  governor,  and  all  civil  officers  of  this  State,  shall  be  liable  to  impeachment 
for  any  misdemeanor  in  office. 

VETO. 

? 16.  Every  bill  passed  by  the  general  assembly  shall,  before  it  becomes  a law,  be  pre- 
sented to  the  governor.  If  he  approve,  he  shall  sign  it,  and  thereupon  it  shall  become  a law ; 
but  if  he  do  not  approve,  he  shall  return  it,  with  his  objections,  to  the  house  in  which  it 
shall  have  originated,  which  house  shall  enter  the  objections  at  large  upon  its  journal,  and 
proceed  to  reconsider  the  hill.  If,  then,  two-thirds  of  the  members  elected  agree  to  pass 
the  same,  it  shall  he  .sent,  together  with  the  objections,  to  the  other  house,  by  which  it  shall 
likewise  be  reconsidered;  and  if  approved  by  two-thirds  of  the  members  elected  to  that 
house,  it  shall  become  a law,  notwithstanding  the  objections  of  the  governor.  But  in  all 
such  cases,  the  vote  of  each  house  shall  be  determined  by  ye.as  and  nays,  to  he  entered  on 
the  journal.  Any  bill  which  shall  not  he  returned  by  the  governor  within  ten  days  (Sundays 
excepted)  after  it  sha'l  have  been  presented  to  him,  shall  become  a law  in  like  manner  as  if 
he  had  signed  it,  unless  the  general  assembly  shall,  by  their  adjournment,  prevent  its  return; 
in  which  case  it  shall  he  fiL-d,  with  his  objections,  in  the  office  of  the  secretary  of  state, 
within  ten  days  after  such  adjournment,  or  become  a law. 

LIEUTENANT-GOVERNOR. 

^17.  In  case  of  death,  conviction  on  impeachment,  failure  to  qualify,  resignation, 
absence  from  the  State,  or  other  disability  of  the  governor,  the  powers,  duties,  the  emolu- 
ments of  the  office  for  the  residue  of  the  term,  or  until  the  disability  shall  be  removed,  shall 
devolve  upon  the  lieutenant-governor. 

^ 18.  The  lieutenant-governor  shall  he  president  of  the  senate,  and  shall  vote  only  when 
the  senate  is  equally  divided.  The  senate  shall  caoose  a president, /re  tempore,  to  preside 
in  case  of  the  absence  or  impeachment  of  the  lieutenant-governor,  or  when  he  shall  hold  the 
office  of  governor. 

^ 19.  If  there  be  no  lieutenant-governor,  or  if  the  lieutenant  governor  shall,  for  any  of 
the  causes  specified  in  J 17  of  this  article,  become  incapable  of  performing  the  duties  of 
the  office,  the  president  of  the  senate  shall  act  as  governor  until  the  vacancy  is  filled  or  the 
disability  removed  ; and  if  the  president  of  the  senate,  for  any  of  the  above  named  causes, 
shall  become  incapable  of  performing  the  duties  of  governor,  the  same  shall  devolve  upon 
the  speaker  of  the  house  of  representatives. 

OTHER  STATE  OFFICERS. 

§ 20.  If  the  office  of  auditor  of  public  accounts,  treasurer,  secretary  of  State,  attorney 
general,  or  superintendent  of  public  instruction  shall  be  vacated  by  death,  resignation  or 
olhervaise,  it  shall  he  the  duty  of  the  governor  to  fill  the  same  by  appointment,  and  the 
appointee  shall  hold  his  office  until  his  successor  shall  be  elected  and  qualified  in  such 
manner  as  may  he  provided  by  law.  An  account  shall  be  kept  by  the  officers  of  the  execu- 
tive department,  and  of  all  the  public  institutions  of  the  State,  of  all  moneys  received  or 
disbursed  by  them,  severally,  from  all  sources,  and  for  every  service  jaerformed,  and  a semi- 
annual report  thereof  he  made  to  the  governor,  under  oath  ; and  any  officer  who  makes  a 
false  report  shall  he  guilty  of  jierjury,  and  punished  accordingly. 

§ 21.  The  officers  of  the  executive  department,  and  of  all  the  public  institutions  of  the 
State,  shall,  at  least  ten  days  preceding  each  regular  session  of  the  general  assembly,  severally 
report  to  the  governor,  who  shall  transmit  such  reports  to  the  general  assembly,  together 
with  the  reports  of  the  judges  of  the  supreme  court  of  the  defects  in  the  constitution  and 
laws;  and  the  governor  may  at  any  time  reiiuire  information,  in  writing,  under  oath,  from 
the  officers  of  the  executive  department,  and  all  officers  and  managers  of  state  institutions, 
upon  any  subject  relating  to  the  condition,  management  and  expenses  of  their  respective 
offices. 

THE  SEAL  Of  ST.\TE. 

\ 22.  There  shall  he  a seal  of  the  State,  which  shall  be  called  the  ‘‘  Great  seal  of  the  State 
of  Illinois,”  which  shall  he  kept  by  the  secretary  of  State,  and  used  by  him,  officially,  as 
directed  by  law. 

FEES  ANH  SALARIES. 

\ 23,  The  officers  named  in  this  article  shall  receive  for  their  services  a salary,  to  he  estab- 
lished by  law,  which  shall  not  he  increased  or  diminished  during  their  official  terms,  and 
they  shall  not,  after  the  expiration  of  the  terms  of  those  in  office  at  the  adoption  of  this  con- 
stitution, receive  to  their  own  use  any  fees,  costs,  perquisites  of  office,  or  other  compensa- 
tion. And  alt  fees  that  may  hereafter  he  payable  by  law  for  any  service  performed  by  any 
officer  provided  for  in  this  article  of  the  constitution,  shall  he  paid  in  advance  into  the  State 
treasury. 

DEFINITION  AND  OATH  OF  OFFICE. 

\ 24.  An  office  is  a public  position  cre.atcd  by  the  constitution  or  law,  continuing  during 
the  pleasure  of  the  a|apointing  power,  or  for  a fixed  lime,  with  a successor  elected  or 
appointed.  An  employment  is  an  agency,  for  a temporary  purpose,  which  ceases  when  that 
purpose  is  accomplished. 

\ 25.  All  civil  officers,  except  members  of  the  general  assembly  and  such  inferior  officers 
as  may  he  by  law  exempted,  shall,  before  they  enter  on  the  duties  of  their  respective  offices, 
take  and  subscribe  the  lollowiiig  oath  or  affirmation  : 

1 do  solemnly  swc.ar  tor  .ilTirm  .as  the  c.asc  may  he)  that  I will  support  the  constltii’ion  of  the  Un'ted  States, 
and  the  Gonstitntion  of  the  State  of  Illinois,  and  that  I will  faithlully  discharge  the  duties  of  the  office  of 
according  to  the  best  of  iiiy  ability. 

And  no  other  oath,  declaration  or  lest  shall  he  required  as  a qualification. 


ARTICLE  VI. 


JUDICIAL  DLPARTMLNT. 


13  I.  Judic’al  Powers  of  Courts. 

3 2.  bcvcn  Supreme  Judges — Four  Decide. 

3.  Qualifications  of  a Supreme  Jud^c. 

4.  I'erms  of  the  Supreme  Court. 

5.  Three  Grand  Divisions — Seven  Districts. 

6.  Election  of  Supreme  Judges. 

7.  Salaries  of  the  Supreme  Judges. 

8.  Appeals  and  Wiits  of  Error. 

3 9.  Appointment  of  Reporter. 

3 TO.  ClerKsof  the  Supreme  Court. 

3 II.  Appellate  Courts  Auth  rized. 

3 12.  J'lrisdiciion  of  Circuit  Courts. 

3 13.  Formation  of  Judicial  Circuits. 

3 14.  Time  of  holding  Circuit  Courts. 

3 IS.  Circuits  containing  Four  Judges. 

3 16.  Salaries  of  the  Circuit  Judges, 

^ 17.  Qualification  of  Judges  or  Commissioners. 


3 i3.  County  Judges — County  Clerks. 

3 19.  Appeals  irom  County  Courts. 

120.  Probate  Courts  Authorized. 

21.  Justices  of  the  Peace  and  Constables. 
22.  State’s  Attorney  in  each  County, 

23.  Cook  County  Courts  of  Record. 

24.  Chief  Justice — Power  of  Judges. 

25.  Salaries  of  the  Judges. 

3 26.  Criminal  Court  of  Cook  County. 

3 27.  Clerks  of  Cook  County  Court. 

3 28.  Justices  in  Chicago. 

^ 29.  Uniformity  in  the  Courts. 

3 30.  Removal  of  any  Judge. 

3 31.  Judges  to  make  Written  Reports. 

I 32.  Terms  of  Office — Filling  Vacancies. 

3 3^.  Process — Prosecutions — Population. 


^ I.  The  judicial  powers,  except  as  in  this  article  is  otherwise  provided,  shall  be  vested  in 
one  supreme  court,  circuit  courts,  county  courts,  justices  of  the  peace,  police  magistrates, 
and  in  such  courts  as  may  be  created  by  law  in  and  far  cities  and  incorporated  towns. 


SUPREME  COURT. 

^ 2.  The  supreme  court  shall  consist  of  seven  judges,  and  shall  have  original  jurisdic- 
tion in  casts  relating  to  the  revenue,  in  ?nandainus,  and  habeas  corpus^  and  appellate  juris- 
diction in  all  other  cases.  One  of  said  judges  shall  be  chief  justice;  four  shall  constitute  a 
quorum,  and  the  concurrence  of  four  shall  be  necessary  to  every  decision. 

§ 3.  No  person  shall  be  eligible  to  the  office  of  judge  of  the  supreme  court  unless  he 
shall  be  at  least  30  years  of  age,  and  a citizen  of  the  United  States,  nor  unless  he  shall  have 
resided  in  the  State  five  years  next  preceding  his  election,  and  be  a resident  of  the  district 
in  which  he  shall  be  elected. 

^ 4.  Terms  of  the  supreme  court  shall  continue  to  be  held  in  the  present  grand  divisions 
at  the  several  places  now  provided  for  holding  the  same ; and  until  otherwise  provided  by 
law,  one  or  more  terms  of  said  court  shall  be  held,  for  the  northern  division,  in  the  city  of 
Chicago,  each  year,  at  such  times  as  said  court  may  appoint,  whenever  said  city  or  the  county 
of  Cook  shall  provide  appropriate  rooms  therefor,  and  the  u=e  of  a suitable  library,  without 
expense  to  the  State.  The  judicial  divisions  may  be  altered,  increased  or  diminished  in 
number,  and  the  limes  and  places  of  holding  said  court  may  be  changed  by  law. 

\ 5.  The  present  grand  divisions  shall  he  preserved,  and  be  denominated  Sauthern,  Cen- 
tral and  Northern,  until  otherwise  provided  by  law.  The  State  shall  be  divided  into  seven 
districts  for  the  election  of  judges,  and  until  otherwise  provided  by  law,  they  shall  be  as 
follows  : 

First  District. — The  counties  of  .St.  Clair,  Clinton,  Washington,  Jefferson,  Wayne, 
Edwards,  Wabash,  White,  Hamilton,  Franklin,  Perry,  Randolph,  Monroe,  Jackson,  William- 
son, Saline,  Gallatin,  Hardin,  Pope,  Union,  Johnson,  Alexander,  Pulaski  and  Massac. 

Second  District. — The  counties  of  Madison,  Bond,  Marion,  Clay,  Richland,  Lawrence, 
Crawford,  Jasper,  Effingham,  Fayette,  Montgomery,  Macoupin,  Shelby,  Cumberland,  Clark, 
Greene,  Jersey,  Calhoun  and  Christian. 

Third  District. — The  counties  of  Sangamon,  Macon,  Logan,  De  Witte,  Piatt,  Douglas, 
Champaign,  Vermilion,  McLean,  Livingston,  Ford,  Iroquois,  Coles,  Edgar,  Moultrie,  and 
Tazewell. 

Fourth  District. — The  counties  of  Fulton,  McDonough,  Hancock,  Schuyler,  Brown, 
Adams,  Pike,  Mason,  Menard,  Morgan,  Cass  and  Scott. 

Fifth  District. — The  counties  of  Knox,  Warren,  Henderson,  Mercer,  Henry,  Stark, 
Peoria,  Marshall,  Putnam,  Bureau,  Rasalle,  Grundy  and  Woodford. 

Sixth  District. — The  counties  of  Whiteside,  Carroll,  Jo  Daviess,  Stephenson,  Winnebago, 
Boone,  McHenry,  Kane,  Kendall,  De  Kalb,  Lee,  Ogle  and  Rock  Island. 

Seventh  District. — The  counties  of  Lake,  Cook,  Will,  Kankakee  and  Du  Page. 

The  boundaries  of  the  districts  may  be  changed  at  the  session  of  the  general  assembly 
next  preceding  the  election  for  judges  herein,  and  at  no  other  time  ; but  whenever  such 
alterations  shall  be  made,  the  same  shall  be  upon  the  rule  of  equality  of  population,as  nearly 
as  county  boundaries  will  allow,  and  the  districts  will  be  composed  of  contiguous  counties, 
in  as  nearly  compact  form  as  circumstances  will  permit.  The  alteration  of  the  districts 
shall  not  affect  the  tenure  of  office  of  any  judge. 

\ 6.  At  the  time  of  voting  on  the  adoption  of  this  constitution,  one  judge  of  the  supreme 
court  shall  be  elected  by  the  electors  thereof,  in  each  of  said  districts  numbered  two,  three, 
aix,  and  seven,  who  shall  hold  his  office  for  the  term  of  nine  years  from  the  fir^t  Monday  of 
June,  in  the  year  of  our  Lord  1870.  The  term  of  office  of  judges  of  the  supreme  court, 
elected  after  the  adoption  of  this  constitution,  shall  be  nine  years  ; and  on  the  first  Monday 
of  June  of  the  year  in  which  the  term  of  any  of  the  judges  in  office  at  the  adoption  of  this 
constitution,  or  of  the  judges  then  elected,  shall  expire,  and  every  nine  years  thereafter, 
there  shall  be  an  election  for  the  successor  or  successors  of  such  judges,  in  the  respective 
districts  wherein  the  term  of  such  judges  shall  expire.  The  chief  justice  shall  continue  to 
act  as  such  until  the  expiration  of  the  term  for  which  he  was  elected,  after  which  the  judges 
shall  choose  one  of  their  number  chief  ju  tice. 

^ 7.  From  and  after  the  adoption  of  this  constitution,  the  judges  of  the  supreme  court 
shall  each  receive  a salary  of  $4,000  per  annum,  payable  quarterly,  until  otherwise  provided 
by  law.  And  after  said  salaries  shall  be  fixed  by  law,  the  salaries  of  the  judges  in  office 
shall  not  be  increased  or  diminished  during  the  terms  for  which  said  judges  have  been 
elected. 

^ 8.  Appeals  and  writs  of  error  may  be  taken  to  the  supreme  court,  held  in  the  grand 
division  in  which  the  case  is  decided,  or,  by  consent  of  the  parties,  to  any  other  grand 
division. 

§ 9.  The  supreme  court  shall  appoint  one  renorter  of  its  decisions,  who  shall  hold  his 
office  for  six  years,  subject  to  removal  by  the  court. 

§ 10.  At  the  t me  of  the  election  for  representatives  in  the  general  assembly,  happening 
next  preceding  the  expiration  of  the  terms  of  office  of  the  present  clerks  of  said  cou  t,  one 
clerk  of  said  court  for  each  division  shall  be  elected,  whose  term  of  office  shall  be  six  years 
from  said  election,  but  who  shall  not  enter  upon  the  duties  of  his  office  until  the  expiration 
of  the  term  of  his  predecessor,  and  every  six  years  thereafter,  one  clerk  of  said  court  for 
each  division  shall  be  elected. 


APPELLATE  COURTS. 

^ II.  After  the  year  of  our  Lord  1874,  inferior  appellate  couits,  of  uniform  organization 
and  jurisdiction,  may  be  created  in  districts  formed  for  that  purpose,  to  which  such  appeals 
and  writs  of  error  as  the  general  assembly  may  provide,  may  be  prosecuted  from  circuit  and 
other  courts,  and  from  which  appeals  and  writs  of  error  shall  lie  to  the  supreme  court,  in 
all  criminal  cases,  and  cases  in  which  a franchise,  or  freehold,  or  the  validity  of  a statute  is 
involved,  and  in  such  other  cases  as  may  be  provided  by  law.  Such  appellate  courts  shall 
be  held  by  such  number  of  judges  of  the  circuit  courts,  and  at  such  times  and  places,  and 
in  such  manner,  as  may  be  provided  by  law;  but  no  judge  shall  sit  in  review  upon  cases 
decided  by  him;  nor  shall  said  judges  receive  any  additional  compensation  lor  such  services. 


CIRCUIT  COURTS. 

\ 12.  The  circuit  courts  shall  have  original  jurisdiction  of  all  causes  in  law  and  equity, 
and  such  appellate  jurisdiction  as  is  or  may  be  provided  by  law,  and  shall  hold  two  or  more 
terms  each  year  in  every  county.  The  terms  of  office  of  judges  of  circuit  courts  shall  be 
six  years. 

\ 13-  The  State,  exclusive  of  the  county  of  Cook  and  other  counties  having  a popula- 
tion of  100,000,  shall  be  divided  into  judicial  circuits,  prior  to  the  expiration  of  the  terms 
of  office  of  the  present  judges  of  the  circuit  courts.  Such  circuits  shall  be  formed  of  con- 
tiguous counties,  in  as  nearly  compact  form  and  as  nearly  equal  as  circumstances  will  permit, 
having  due  regard  to  business,  territory  and  population,  and  shall  not  exceed  in  number  one 
circuit  for  every  100,000  of  population  in  the  State.  One  judge  shall  be  elected  for  each  of 
said  circuits  by  the  electors  thereof.  New  circuits  may  be  formed  and  the  boundaries  of 
circuits  changed  by  the  general  assembly,  at  its  session  next  preceding  the  election  for  circuit 
judges,  but  at  no  other  time  : Provided,  that  the  circuits  may  be  equalized  or  changed  at  the 
first  session  of  the  general  assembly,  after  the  adoption  of  this  constitution.  The  creation 
altferalion  or  change  of  any  circuit  shall  not  affect  the  tenure  of  office  of  any  judge.  When- 
ever the  business  of  the  circuit  court  of  any  one,  or  of  two  or  more  contiguous  counties, 
containing  a population  exceeding  50,000,  shall  occupy  nine  months  of  the  year,  the  general 
assembly  may  make  of  such  county,  or  counties,  a separate  circuit.  Whenever  additional 
circuits  are  created,  the  foregoing  limitations  shall  be  observed. 

^ 14.  The  general  assembly  shall  pmvide  for  the  times  of  holding  courts  in  each  county 
which  shall  not  be  changed,  except  by  the  general  assembly  next  preceding  the  general 
election  for  judges  of  said  courts;  but  additional  terms  may  be  provided  for  in  any  county. 
The  election  for  judges  of  the  circuit  courts  shall  be  held  on  the  first  Monday  of  June,  in  the 
year  of  our  Lord  1873,  and  every  six  years  thereafter. 

\ 15.  The  general  assembly  may  divide  the  State  into  judicial  circuits  of  greater  popu- 
lation and  territory,  in  lieu  of  the  circuits  provided  for  in  section  13  of  this  article,  and 
provide  for  the  election  therein,  severally,  by  the  electors  thereof,  by  general  ticket,  of  not 
exceeding  four  judges,  who  shall  hold  the  circuit  courts  in  the  circuit  for  which  they  shall 
be  elected,  ip  such  manner  as  may  be  provided  by  law. 

^ 16  From  and  after  the  adoption  of  this  constitution,  judges  of  the  circuit  courts  shall 
receive  a salary  of  $3,000  per  annum,  payable  quarterly,  until  otherwise  provided  by  law. 
And  after  their  salaries  shall  be  fixed  by  law,  they  shall  not  be  increased  or  diminished 
during  the  terms  for  which  said  judges  shall  be,  respectively,  electea;  and  from  aud  after 
the  adoption  of  this  constitution,  no  judge  of  the  supreme  or  circuit  court  shall  receive  any 
other  compensation,  perquisite  or  benefit,  in  any  form  avhatsoever,  nor  perform  any  othei 
than  judicial  duties  to  which  may  belong  any  emoluments. 

\ 17.  No  person  shall  be  eligible  to  the  office  of  judge  of  the  circuit  or  any  inferior 
court,  or  to  membership  in  the  “board  of  county  commissioners,”  unless  he  shall  be  at  least 
25  years  of  age,  and  a citizen  of  the  United  States,  nor  unless  he  shall  have  resided  in  this 
State  five  years  next  preceding  his  election,  and  be  a resident  of  the  circuit,  county,  city, 
cities,  or  incorporated  town  in  which  he  shall  be  elected. 

COUNTY  COURTS. 

^ 18.  There  shall  be  elected  in  and  for  each  county,  one  county  judge  and  one  clerk  of 
the  county  court,  whose  terms  of  office  shall  be  four  years.  But  the  general  assembly  may 
create  districts  of  two  or  more  contiguous  counties,  in  each  of  which  shall  be  elected  one 
judge,  who  .shall  take  the  place  of,  and  exercise  the  powers  and  jurisdiction  of  county  judges 
in  such  districts.  County  courts  shall  be  courts  of  record,  and  shall  have  original  jurisdic- 
tion in  all  matters  of  probate;  setllement  of  estates  of  deceased  persons;  appointment  of 
gu.ardians  and  conservators,  and  settlements  of  their  accounts;  in  all  matters  relating  to 
apprentices ; and  in  proceedings  for  the  collection  of  taxes  and  assessments,  and  such  other 
jurisdiction  as  may  be  provided  for  by  general  law. 

^ 19.  Appeals  and  writs  of  error  shall  be  allowed  from  final  determinations  of  county 
courts,  as  may  be  provided  by  law. 


PROBATE  COURTS. 

\ 20.  The  general  assembly  may  provide  for  the  establishment  of  a probate  court  in  each 
county  having  a population  of  over  50,000,  and  for  the  election  of  a judge  thereof,  whose 
term  of  office  shall  be  the  same  as  that  of  the  county  judge,  and  who  shall  be  elected  at  the 
same  time  and  in  the  same  manner.  Said  courts,  when  established,  shall  have  original 
jurisdiction  of  all  probate  matters,  the  settkment  of  estates  of  deceased  persons,  the  appoint- 
ment of  guardians  and  conservators,  and  settlement  of  their  accounts ; in  all  matters  relating 
to  apprentices,  and  in  cases  of  the  sales  of  real  estate  of  deceased  persons  for  the  payment 
of  debts. 

JUSTICES  OF  THE  PEACE  AND  CONSTABLES. 

^21.  Justices  of  the  peace,  police  magistrates,  and  constables  shall  be  elected  in  and  for 
such  districts  as  are,  or  may  be,  provided  by  law,  and  the  jurisdiction  of  such  justices  of  the 
peace  and  police  magistrates  shall  be  uniform. 

state’s  attorneys. 

§ 22.  At  the  election  for  members  of  the  general  assembly  in  the  year  of  our  Lord  1872. 
and  every  four  years  thereafter,  there  shall  be  elected  a State’s  attorney  in  and  for  each 
county,  in  lieu  of  the  State’s  attorneys  now  provided  by  law,  whose  term  of  office  shall  be 
four  years. 


COURTS  OF  COOK  COUNTY. 

^ 23.  The  county  of  Cook  shall  he  one  judicial  circuit.  The  circuit  court  of  Cook 
county  shall  consist  of  five  judges,  until  their  number  shall  be  increased,  as  herein  provided. 
The  present  judge  of  the  recorder’s  court  of  the  city  of  Chicago,  aud  the  present  judge  of 
the  circuit  court  of  Cook  county,  shall  be  two  of  said  judges,  and  shall  remain  in  office  for 
the  terms  for  which  they  were  respectively  elected,  and  until  their  successors  shall  be  elected 
and  qualified.  The  superior  court  of  Chicago  shall  be  continued,  and  called  the  superior 
court  of  Cook  county.  The  general  assembly  may  increase  the  number  of  said  judges  by 
adding  one  to  either  of  said  courts  for  every  additional  50,000  inhabitans  in  said  county, 
over  and  above  a papulation  of  400,000.  The  terms  of  office  of  the  judges  of  said  courts 
hereafter  elected,  shall  be  six  years. 

§ 24.  The  judge  having  the  shortest  unexpired  term  shall  be  chief  justice  of  the  court 
of  which  he  is  judge.  In  case  there  are  two  or  mare  whose  terms  expire  at  the  same  time, 
it  may  be  determined  by  lot  which  shall  be  chief  justice.  Any  judge  of  either  of  said 
courts  shall  have  all  the  powers  of  a circuit  judge,  and  may  hold  the  court  of  which  he  is  a 
member.  Each  of  them  may  hold  a different  branch  thereof  at  the  same  time. 

§ 25.  The  judges  of  the  superior  and  circuit  courts,  and  the  Slatj’s  attorney,  in  said 
county,  shall  receive  the  same  salaries,  payable  "out  of  the  State  treasury,  as  is  or  may  be 
paid  from  said  treasury  to  the  circuit  judges  and  .State’s  attorneys  of  the  State,  and  such 
further  compensation,  to  be  jraid  by  the  county  of  Cook,  as  is  or  may  he  provided  by  law; 
such  compensation  shall  not  he  changed  during  their  continuance  in  office. 

2 26.  The  recorder’s  court  of  the  c.ty  of  Chicago  shall  be  continued,  and  shall  be  called 
the  ‘‘criminal  court  of  Cook  county.”  It  shall  have  the  jurisdiction  of  a circuit  court,  in 
all  cases  of  criminal  and  ryuasi  criminal  nature,  arising  in  the  county  of  Cook,  or  that  may 


be  brought  before  said  court  pursuant  to  law  ; and  all  recognizances  and  appeals  taken  in 
said  county,  in  criminal  and  quasi  criminal  cases  shall  be  returnable  and  taken  to  said  court. 
It  shall  have  no  jurisdiction  in  civil  cases,  except  in  those  on  behalf  of  the  people,  and 
incident  to  such  criminal  or  quasi  criminal  matters,  and  to  dispose  of  unfinished  business. 
The  terms  of  said  criminal  court  of  Cook  county  shall  be  held  by  one  or  more  of  the  judges 
of  the  circuit  or  superior  court  of  Cook  county,  as  nearly  as  may  be  in  alternation,  as  may 
be  determined  by  said  judge..,  or  provided  by  law.  Said  judges  shall  be  ex-offioio  judges  of 
said  court. 

\ 27.  The  present  clerk  of  the  recorder's  court  of  the  city  of  Chicago,  shall  be  the  clerk 
of  the  criminal  court  of  Cook  county,  during  the  term  for  which  he  was  elected.  The 
present  clerks  of  the  superior  court  of  Chicago,  and  the  present  clerk  of  the  circuit  court  of 
Cook  county,  shall  continue  in  office  during  the  terms  for  which  they  were  respectively 
elected;  and  thereafter  there  shall  be  but  one  cltrk  of  the  superior  court,  to  be  elected  by 
the  qualified  electors  of  said  county,  who  shall  hold  his  office  for  the  term  of  four  years,  and 
until  his  successor  is  elected  and  qualified. 

\ 28.  All  justices  of  the  peace  in  the  city  of  Chicago  shall  be  appointed  by  the  governor, 
by  and  with  the  advice  and  consent  of  the  senate,  (but  only  upon  the  recommendation  of  a 
majority  of  the  judges  of  the  circuit,  superior  and  county  courts,)  and  for  such  districts  as 
are  now  or  shall  hereafter  be  provided  by  law.  They  shall  hold  their  offices  for  four  years, 
and  until  their  successors  have  been  commissioned  and  qualified,  but  they  may  be  removed 
by  summary  proceedings  in  the  circuit  or  superior  court,  for  extortion  or  other  malfeasance. 
Existing  justices  of  the  peace  and  police  magistrates  may  hold  their  offices  until  the 
expiration  of  their  respective  terms. 

GENERAL  TROVISIONS. 

^ 29.  All  judicial  officers  shall  be  commissioned  by  the  governor.  All  laws  relating  to 
cour  s shall  be  general,  and  of  unifoim  operation  ; and  the  organization, jurisdiction, powers, 
proceedings  and  practice  of  all  courts,  of  the  same  class  or  grade,  so  far  as  regulated  by  law, 
and  the  force  and  effect  of  the  process,  judgments  and  decrees  of  such  courts,  severally 
shall  be  uniform. 

^ 30.  The  general  assembly  may,  for  cause  entered  on  the  journals,  upon  due  notice  and 
opportunity  of  delense,  remove  from  office  any  judge,  upon  concurrence  of  three-fourths  of 
all'the  members  elected,  of  each  house.  All  other  officers  in  this  article  mentioned,  shall 
be  removed  from  office  on  prosecution  and  final  conviction,  for  misdemeanor  in  office. 

§ 31.  All  judges  of  courts  of  record,  inferior  to  the  supreme  court,  shall,  on  or  before 
the  first  day  ol  June,  of  each  year,  report  in  writing  to  the  judges  of  the  supreme  court, 
such  defects  and  omissions  in  the  laws  as  their  experience  may  suggest ; and  the  judges  of 
the  supreme  court  shall,  on  or  before  the  first  dav  of  Januaiy  of  each  year,  report  in  writing 
to  the  governor  such  defects  and  omissions  in  the  constitution  and  laws  as  they  may  find  to 
exist,  together  with  appropriate  forms  of  bills  to  cure  such  defects  and  omissions  in  the 
laws.  And  the  judges  of  the  several  circuit  courts  shall  report  to  the  next  general  assembly 
the  number  of  days  they  have  held  court  in  the  several  counties  composing  their  respective 
circuits,  the  preceding  two  years. 

\ 32.  All  officers  provided  for  in  this  article  shall  hold  their  offices  until  their  successors 
shall  be  qualified,  and  they  shall,  respectively,  reside  in  the  division,  circuit,  county  or  dis- 
trict for  which  they  may  be  elected  or  appointed.  The  terms  of  office  of  all  such  officers, 
where  not  otherwise  prescribed  in  this  article,  shall  be  four  years.  All  officers,  where  not 
otherwise  provided  for  in  this  article,  shall  perform  such  duties  and  receive  such  compensa- 
tion as  is  or  may  be  provided  by  law.  Vacancies  in  such  elective  offices  shall  be  filled  by 
election  ; but  where  the  unexpired  term  does  not  exceed  one  year,  the  vacancy  shall  be  filled 
by  appointment,  as  follows:  Of  judges,  by  the  governor;  of  clerks  of  courts,  by  the  court 

to  which  the  office  appertains,  or  by  the  judge  or  judges  thereof;  and  of  all  such  other 
officers,  by  the  board  of  supervisors  or  board  of  county  commissioners  in  the  county  where 
the  vacancy  occurs. 

§ 33.  All  ] rocess  shall  run  : In  the  name  of  the  People  of  the  State  of  Illinois  : and  all 
pro-ecutions  shall  be  carried  on  : In  the  name  and  by  the  authority  of  the  People  of  the  State 
of  Itlinois;  and  conclude:  Against  the  peace  and  dignity  of  the  same.  “ Population.” 
wherever  used  in  this  article,  shall  be  determined  by  the  next  preceding  census  of  this  State, 
or  of  the  United  States. 

ARTICLE  VII. 

SUFFRAGE. 


^ I.  Who  arc  Entitled  tn  Vote. 

2.  All  Voting  to  be  by  Ballot. 
^3.  I’rtvilcgcs  of  KIcciors. 

^ 4.  Abseuceon  Public  Business. 


^ 5.  Soldier  not  Deemed  a Resident. 
^ 6.  Qualifications  lor  uflTice. 

^ 7.  Persons  Convicted  of  Crime. 


\ I.  Every  person  having  resided  in  this  .State  one  year,  in  the  county  90  days,  and  in 
the’  election  district  30  days  next  preceding  any  election  therein,  who  was  an  elector  in  this 
State  on  the  first  day  of  April,  in  the  year  of  our  Lord  1848,  or  obtained  a certificate  of 
naturalization  before  any  court  of  record  in  this  State  prior  to  the  first  day  of  January,  in 
the  year  of  our  Lord  1870,  or  who  shall  be  .a  male  citizen  of  the  United  States,  above  the 
age  of  21  years,  shall  be  entitled  to  vote  at  such  election. 

^ 2.  All  votes  shall  be  by  ballot. 

I 3.  Electors  shall,  in  all  cases  except  treason,  felony,  or  breach  of  the  peace,  be  privi- 
leged from  arrest  during  their  attendance  at  elections,  and  in  going  to  and  returning  from 
the  same.  And  no  elector  shall  be  obliged  to  do  military  duty  on  the  days  of  election, 
cxcejit  in  time  of  war  or  public  danger. 

^ 4.  No  elector  shall  be  deemed  to  have  lost  his  residence  in  this  State  by  reason  of  his 
aliscncc  on  business  of  the  United  Slates,  or  of  this  Stale,  or  in  the  military  or  naval  service 
of  the  United  Slates. 

^ 5.  No  soldier,  seaman  or  marine  in  the  army  or  navy  of  the  United  States  shall  be 
deemed  a resident  of  this  .Stale  in  consetiuence  of  being  stationed  therein. 

^ f).  No  person  shall  be  elected  or  appointed  to  any  office  in  this  .Siati*,  civil  or  mi'itary, 
who  is  not  a citizen  of  the  United  Stales,  and  who  shall  not  have  resided  in  this  Slate  one 
year  next  preceding  the  election  or  appointment. 

7.  The  gencr.d  as-cmbly  shall  jiass  laws  excluding  from  the  right  of  suffrage  persons 
convicted  of  infamous  crimes. 


controlled  by  any  church  or  sectarian  denomination  whatever;  nor  shall  any  grant  or  dona- 
tion of  land,  money,  or  other  personal  property  ever  be  made  by  the  State  or  any  such 
public  corporation,  to  any  church,  or  for  any  sectarian  purpose. 

\ 4.  No  teacher.  State,  county,  township,  or  district  school  officer  shall  be  interested  in 
the  sale,  proceeds  or  profits  of  any  booh,  apparatus  or  furniture,  used  or  to  be  used,  in  any 
school  in  this  State,  with  which  such  officer  or  teacher  may  be  connected,  under  such 
penalties  as  may  be  provided  by  the  general  assembly. 

\ 5.  There  may  be  a county  superintendent  of  schools  in  each  county,  whose  qualifica- 
tions,  powers,  duties,  compensation  and  time  and  manner  of  election,  and  term  of  of  office 
shall  be  prescribed  by  law.  ’ 


ARTICLE  IX. 


REVENUE. 


? I.  Principles  of  Taxation  Stated 
^ 2.  Other  and  further  Taxati..n. 

^ 3.  Property  Exempt  from  Taxation. 

§ 4.  Sale  of  Real  Property  fjr  'Paxes. 

I 5.  Right  of  Redemption  tlierefrom. 

I 6.  Release  from  Taxation  Forbidden. 


I 7.  Taxes  paid  into  State  Treasury. 

^ 8.  Limitation  on  County  Taxes, 
g 9.  Local  Municipal  Improvements. 

^ IX  Taxation  of  Municipal  Corporations. 
t II.  Eefaultcr  not  to  he  Eligib'c. 
g 12.  Limitation  on  Municip.,1  Indebtedness. 


§ I.  The  general  assembly  shall  provide  such  revenue  as  may  be  needful  by  levying  a tax, 
by  valuation,  so  that  every  person  and  corporation  shall  pay  a tax  in  proportion  to  the  value 
of  his,  her  or  its  property — such  value  to  be  ascertained  by  some  person  or  persons,  to  be 
elected  or  appointed  in  such  manner  as  the  general  assembly  shall  direct,  and  not  otherwise ; 
but  the  general  assembly  shall  have  power  to  tax  peddlers,  auctioneers,  brokers,  hawkers, 
merchants,  commission  merchants,  showmen,  jugglers,  inn-keeper.s,  grocery  keepers,  liquor 
dealers,  toll  bridges,  ferries,  insurance,  telegraph  and  express  interests  or  business,  venders 
of  patents,  and  persons  or  corporations  owning  or  using  franchises  and  privileges,  in  such 
manner  as  it  shall  Irom  time  to  time  direct  by  gener.tl  law,  uniform  as  to  the  class  upon 
which  it  operates. 

§ 2.  The  specification  of  the  objects  and  subjects  of  taxation  shall  not  deprive  the  general 
.assembly  of  the  power  to  require  other  subjects  or  objects  to  be  taxed  in  such  a manner  as 
may  be  consistent  wi'h  the  principles  of  taxation  fixed  in  this  constitution. 

§ 3.  The  properties  of  the  State,  counties  and  other  municipal  corporations,  both  real 
and  personal,  and  such  other  property  as  may  be  used  exclusively  for  agricultural  and  horti- 
cultural societies,  for  school,  religious,  cemetery  and  charitable  purposes,  may  be  exempted 
from  taxation  ; but  such  exemption  shall  be  only  by  general  law.  In  the  assessment  of  real 
estate  encumbered  by  public  easement,  any  depreciation  occasioned  by  such  easement  may 
be  deducted  in  the  valuation  of  such  property. 

^ 4.  The  general  assembly  shall  provide,  in  all  cases  where  it  may  be  necessary  to  sell 
real  estate  for  the  non-payment  of  taxes  or  special  assessments  for  State,  county,  municipal 
or  other  purposes,  that  a return  of  such  unpaid  taxes  or  assessments  shall  be  to  some  general 
officer  of  the  county  having  authority  to  receive  State  and  county  taxes ; and  there  shall  be 
no  sale  of  said  property  for  any  of  said  taxes  or  assessments  but  by  said  officer,  upon  the 
order  or  judgment  of  some  court  of  record. 

^ 5.  The  right  of  redemption  from  all  sales  of  real  estate  for  the  non-payment  of  taxes 
or  special  assessments  of  any  character  whatever,  shall  exist  in  favor  of  owners  and  persons 
interested  in  such  real  estate,  for  a period  of  not  less  than  two  years  from  such  sales  thereof. 
And  the  general  assembly  shall  provide  by  law  for  reasonable  notice  to  be  given  to  the 
owners  or  parties  interested,  by  publication  or  otherwise,  of  ihe  fact  of  the  sale  of  the  prop- 
erty for  such  taxes  or  assessments,  and  when  the  time  of  redemption  shall  expire:  Provided, 
that  occupants  shall  in  all  cases  be  served  with  personal  notice  before  the  time  of  redemp- 
tion expires. 

^ 6.  The  general  assembly  shall  have  no  power  to  release  or  discharge  any  county,  city, 
township,  town  or  district  whatever,  or  the  inh.ibitanls  thereof  or  the  property  therein,  from 
their  or  its  proportionate  share  of  taxes  to  be  levied  for  Stale  purposes,  nor  shall  commuta- 
tion for  such  taxes  be  authorized  in  any  form  whatsoever. 

7.  All  taxes  levied  for  State  purposes  shall  be  paid  into  the  State  treasury. 

I 8.  County  authorities  shall  never  assess  taxes  the  aggregate  of  which  shall  exceed  75 
cents  per  $100  valuation,  except  for  the  payment  of  indebtedness  existing  at  the  adoption 
of  this  constitution,  unless  authorized  by  a vote  of  the  people  of  the  county, 

^ 9.  The  general  assembly  may  vest  the  corporate  authorities  of  cities,  towns,  villages, 
with  power  to  make  local  improvements  by  special  assessment  or  by  special  taxation  of  con- 
tiguous property  or  otherwise.  For  all  other  corporate  purposes,  all  municipal  corporations 
may  be  vested  with  authority  to  assess  and  collect  taxes;  but  such  taxes  shall  be  uniform  in 
respect  to  persons  and  property,  with  the  jurisdiction  of  the  body  i.nposing  the  same. 

^10.  The  general  assembly  shall  not  impose  taxes  upon  municipal  corporations,  or  the  in- 
habitants or  property  thereof,  for  corporate  purposes,  but  shall  teciuire  that  all  the  taxable 
property  within  the  limits  of  municipal  corporations  shall  be  taxed  for  the  payment  of  debts 
contracted  under  authority  of  law,  such  taxes  to  be  uniform  in  respect  to  persons  and  prop- 
erty, within  the  jurisdiction  of  the  body  imposing  the  same.  Private  property  shall  not  be 
liable  to  be  taken  or  sold  for  the  payment  of  the  corporate  debts  of  a municipal  corporation. 

§11.  No  person  who  is  in  default,  as  a collector  or  custodian  of  money  or  property  belong- 
ing to  a municipal  corporation,  shall  be  eligible  to  any  office  in  or  under  such  corporation. 
The  fees,  salary  or  compensation  of  no  municipal  officer  who  is  elected  or  appointed  for  a 
definite  term  of  office,  shall  be  increased  or  diminished  during  such  term. 

§ 12.  No  county,  city,  township,  school  district,  or  other  municipal  corporation,  shall  be 
allowed  to  become  indebted  in  any  manner  or  for  any  purpose,  to  an  amounl,  including  ex- 
isting indebtedness,  in  the  aggregate  exceeding  five  jier  centum  on  the  value  of  the  taxable 
])roperty  therein,  to  be  ascertained  by  the  la-t  assessment  for  State  and  county  taxes,  previous 
to  the  incurring  of  such  indebtedness.  Any  county,  city,  school  district,  or  other  municipal 
corporation,  incurring  any  indebtedness  as  aforesaid,  shall  before,  or  at  the  time  of  doing 
so,  provide  for  the  collection  of  a direct  annual  tax  sufficient  to  pay  the  interest  on  such 
debt  as  it  falls  due,  and  also  to  pay  and  discharge  the  ])rinci|ial  thereof  within  twenty  years 
from  the  time  of  contracting  the  same.  This  section  shall  not  be  construed  to  prevent  any 
county,  city,  township,  school  district,  or  other  municipal  corporation  from  issuing  theit 
bonds  in  compliance  with  any  vote  of  the  people  which  may  have  been  had  prior  to  tin 
adojition  of  this  constitution  in  pursuance  of  any  la.v  providing  therefor. 


ARTICLE  VI II. 


ARTICLE  X. 


I.DUGA'I  ION. 

5 I F-rc  :hooN  Fst.iblishcrI.  I ? 4.  School  OtTiccrs  not  Inlcrrstcrl. 

f !.  Gifi-.  or  (iraiiu  in  ai'l  of  Srlio  N.  ( j.  C.unly  bii|ici  iiiu'iidciit  ol  bchools. 

^ 3.  I'ublic  bchooU  not  to  be  Sccl<tri4n.  | 

? I.  The  general  aiscmbly  .hall  provide  a ihorough  and  efficient  system  of  free  schools, 
whereby  all  children  tif  this  Slate  may  receive  a good  common  school  education. 

^ 2 All  lands,  moneys,  or  other  ])mperlics,  donated,  granted  or  receiveil  for  school,  col- 
lege, .einiiviry  or  university  purp<)ses,  and  Ihe  proceeds  thereof,  shall  be  faithfully  applied 
to  the  objects  for  which  such  gifts  or  grants  were  made. 

? 3.  Neither  the  general  a,ssembly  nor  any  county,  city,  town,  township,  school  district, 
or  other  public  corporation,  shall  ever  make  any  appropriation  or  pay  from  any  public  fund 
whatever,  anything  in  aid  of  any  church  or  sectarian  purpose,  or  to  help  support  or  sustain 
any  school,  academy,  seminary,  college,  university,  or  other  literary  or  scientific  institution. 


COUNTIES. 


3 1.  Fo*-malion  of  New  Counties. 

5 2.  Division  of  any  County. 
d 3.  'I  crril  ry  stricken  fr«  m a County, 
S 4.  K<  rnovalof  n County  Scat. 
a . iMcihotl  of  County  (iovernment. 

3 6.  iioard  <>f  Co  'lUy  (’oininis«ioncrs. 
J 7.  County  art'airs  in  Co^k  Couniy. 


3 8.  Coun»y  Officers — Terms  of  Office, 
I 9.  S.il.irivs  aiEi  Fets  in  C ok  County. 
3 10.  S.J.i  u*s  fixed  by  County  Board 
a II.  'I’ownship  Officers — Special  Laws. 
3 T2.  All  Kulure  Fers  Uniform, 
g 13.  Sworn  Reports  of  all  Fees. 


^ I.  No  new  county  shall  be  formed  or  established  by  the  general  assembly,  which  will 
reduce  the  county  or  counties,  or  eilher  of  them,  from  which  it  shall  be  taken,  to  less  con- 
tents than  400  square  miles;  nor  shall  any  county  be  formed  of  less  contents  ; nor  shall  any 
line  thereof  pass  within  less  than  ten  miles  of  any  county  seat  of  the  county,  or  counties 
jiroposcd  to  be  divided. 


^ 2.  No  county  shall  be  divided,  or  have  any  part  stricken  therefrom,  without  submitting 
the  question  to  a vote  of  the  people  of  the  county,  nor  unless  a majority  of  all  the  legal 
voters  of  the  county,  voting  on  the  question,  shall  vole  for  the  same. 

^ 3.  There  shall  be  no  territory  stricken  from  any  county,  unless  a majority  of  the  voters 
living  in  such  territory  shall  petition  for  such  division;  and  no  territory  shall  be  added  to 
any  county  without  the  consent  of  the  majority  of  the  voters  of  the  county  to  which  it  is 
proposed  to  be  added.  But  the  portion  so  stricken  off  and  added  to  another  county,  or 
formed  in  whole  or  in  part  into  a new  county,  shall  be  holden  for,  and  obtiged  to  pay  its 
proportion  of  indebtedness  of  the  eounty  from  which  it  has  been  taken. 

COU.NTY  SK.A.TS. 

^ 4.  No  county  seat  shall  be  removed  until  the  ]roint  to  which  it  is  proposed  to  be  removed 
shall  be  fixed  in  pursuance  of  law,  and  three-luths  of  the  voters  of  the  county,  to  be  ascer- 
tained in  such  manner  as  shall  be  provided  by  general  law,  shall  have  voted  in  favor  of  its 
removal  to  such  point ; and  no  person  shall  vote  on  such  question  who  has  not  resided  in  the 
county  six  months,  and  in  the  election  precinct  ninety  days  next  preceding  such  election. 
The  question  of  the  removal  of  a county  seat  shall  not  be  oftener  submitted  than  once  in 
ten  years,  to  a vote  of  the  pe  >ple.  But  when  an  attempt  is  made  to  remove  the  c lunty  seat 
to  a point  nearer  to  the  centre  of  a county,  then  a majority  vote  only  shall  be  necessary. 

COU.NTY  GOVERN.MENT. 

^ 5.  The  general  assembly  shall  provide,  by  general  law,  for  township  organization,  under 
which  any  county  may  organize  whenever  a majority  of  the  legal  voters  of  such  county, 
voting  at  any  general  election,  shall  so  determine,  and  whenever  any  county  shall  adopt 
township  organization,  so  much  of  this  constitution  as  provides  for  the  management  of  the 
fiscal  concerns  of  the  said  county  by  the  board  of  county  commissioners,  may  be  dispensed 
with,  and  the  affairs  of  said  county  m ly  be  transacted  in  such  manner  as  the  general  assem- 
bly may  provide.  And  in  any  county  that  shall  have  adopted  a township  organization,  the 
question  of  continuing  the  same  may  be  submitted  to  a vote  of  the  electors  of  such  county, 
at  a general  election,  in  the  manner  that  now  is  or  may  be  provided  by  law  ; and  if  a ma- 
jority of  all  the  votes  cast  upon  that  question  shall  be  against  township  organization,  then 
such  organization  shall  ce.ose  in  said  county;  and  all  laws  in  force  in  relation  to  counties  not 
having  township  organization,  shall  immedirtely  take  effect  and  be  in  force  in  such  county. 
No  two  townships  shall  have  the  same  name,  and  the  day  of  holding  the  annual  township 
meeting  shall  be  uniform  throughout  the  .State. 

^ 6.  At  the  first  election  of  county  judges  under  this  constitution,  there  shall  be  elected 
in  each  of  the  counties  in  this  State,  not  under  township  organization,  three  officers,  who 
shall  be  styled  ‘ ■ The  board  of  county  commissioners,”  who  shall  hold  sessions  for  the  trans- 
action of  county  business  as  shall  be  provided  by  law.  One  of  said  commissioners  shall 
hold  his  office  for  one  year,  one  for  two  years,  and  one  for  three  years,  to  be  determined  by 
lot ; and  every  year  thereafter  one  such  officer  shall  be  elected  in  each  of  said  counties  for 
the  term  of  three  years. 

§ 7.  The  county  affairs  of  Cook  county  shall  be  managed  by  a board  of  commissioners  of 
fifteen  persons,  ten  of  whom  shall  be  elected  from  the  city  ol  Chicago,  and  five  from  towns 
outside  of  said  city,  in  such  manner  as  may  be  provided  by  law. 

COUNTY  OFFICERS  AND  THEIR  COMPENSATION. 

^ 8.  In  each  county  there  shall  be  elected  the  following  county  officers:  County  judge, 

sluriff,  county  clerk,  clerk  of  the  circuit  court,  (who  may  be  ex-officio  recorder  of  deeds,  ex- 
cept in  counties  having  60,000  and  more  inhabitants,  in  which  counties  a recorder  of  deeds 
shall  be  elected  at  the  general  election  in  the  year  of  our  Lord  1872,)  treasurer,  surveyor, 
and  coroner,  each  of  whom  shall  enter  upon  the  duties  of  his  office,  respectively,  on  the  first 
Monday  of  December  after  their  election;  and  they  shall  hold  their  respective  offices  for 
the  term  of  four  years,  except  the  treasurer,  sheriff  and  coroner,  who  shall  hold  their  office 
for  two  years,  and  until  their  successors  shall  be  elected  and  qualified. 

\ 9.  The  clerks  of  all  the  courts  of  record,  the  treasurer,  sheriff,  coroner  and  recorder  of 
deeds  of  Cook  county,  shall  receive  as  their  only  compensation  for  their  services,  salaries  to 
be  fixed  by  law,  which  shall  in  no  case  be  as  much  as  the  lawful  compensation  of  a judge  of 
the  circuit  court  of  said  county,  and  shall  be  paid,  respectively,  only  out  of  the  fees  of  the 
office  actually  collected.  All  fees,  perquisites  and  emoluments  (above  the  amount  of  said 
salaries)  shall  be  paid  into  the  county  treasury.  The  number  of  the  deputies  and  assistants 
of  such  officers  shall  be  determined  by  rule  of  the  circuit  court,  to  be  entered  of  record,  and 
their  compensation  shall  be  determined  by  the  county  board. 

§ 10.  The  county  board,  except  as  provided  in  § 9 of  this  article,  shall  fix  the  compensa- 
tion of  all  county  officers,  with  the  amount  of  their  necessary  clerk  hire,  stationery,  fuel  and 
other  expenses,  and  in  all  cases  where  fees  are  provided  for,  said  compensation  shall  be  paid 
only  out  of,  and  shall  in  no  instance  exceed,  the  fees  actually  collected  ; they  shall  not  allow 
either  of  them  more  per  annum  than  $1,500,  in  counties  not  exceeding  20,000  inhabitants  ; 
$2,000  in  counties  containing  20,000  and  not  exceeding  30,000  inhabitants  ; $2,500  in  coun- 
ties containing  30,000  and  not  exceeding  50,000  inhabitants;  $3,000  in  counties  containing 
50,000  and  not  exceeding  70,000  inhabitants ; $3,500  in  counties  containing  70,000  and  not 
exceeding  100,000  inhabitants ; and  $4  000  in  counties  containing  over  100,000  and  not  ex- 
ceeding 250,000  inhabitants  ; and  not  more  than  fil, 000 additional  compensation  for  each  ad- 
ditional 100,000  inhabitants : Provided^  that  the  compensation  of  no  officer  shall  be  increased 
or  diminished  during  his  term  of  office.  All  fees  or  allowances  by  them  received,  in  excess 
of  their  said  compensation,  shall  be  paid  into  the  county  treasury. 

^ II.  The  fees  of  township  officers,  and  of  each  class  of  county  officers,  shall  be  uniform 
in  the  class  of  counties  to  which  they  respectively  belong.  The  compensation  herein  pro- 
vided for  shall  apply  only  to  officers  hereafter  elected,  but  all  fees  established  by  special  laws 
shall  cease  at  the  adoption  of  this  constitution,  and  such  officers  shall  receive  only  such  fees 
as  are  provided  by  general  law. 

§ 12.  All  laws  fixing  the  fees  of  State,  county  and  township  officers,  shall  terminate  with 
the  terms,  respectively,  of  those  who  may  be  in  oflice  at  the  meeting  of  the  first  general 
assembly  after  the  adoption  of  this  constitution;  and  the  general  assembly  shall,  by  general 
law,  uniform  in  its  operation,  provide  for  and  regulate  the  fees  of  said  officers  and  their  suc- 
cessors, so  as  to  reduce  the  same  to  a reasonable  compensation  for  services  actually  rendered. 
But  the  general  assembly  may,  by  general  law,  classify  the  counties  by  population  into  not 
more  than  three  classes,  and  regulate  the  fees  according  to  class.  This  article  shall  not  be 
construed  as  depriving  the  general  assembly  of  the  power  to  reduce  the  fees  of  existing 
officers. 

^ 13.  Every  person  who  is  elected  or  appointed  to  any  office  in  this  State,  who  shall  be 
paid  in  whole  or  in  part  by  fees,  shall  be  required  by  law  to  make  a semi-annual  report,  under 
oath  to  some  officer  to  be  designated  by  law,  of  all  his  fees  .and  emoluments. 

ARTICLE  XL 

CORPORATIONS. 

? 9.  R.ailroad  Oflice — Books  and  Records. 

C 10.  Personal  Property  of  Railroads, 
g II.  Con.solidations  Forbidden. 

^ 12.  Railroacs  deemed  H ighways — Rates  Fixed. 

I 13.  Stocks,  Bones  and  D'vidends. 

^ 14.  Power  over  existing  Companies, 

^ 15.  Freight  and  Passenger  TurifiT  reg  lated. 


^ I.  No  corporation  shall  be  created  by  special  laws,  or  its  charter  extended,  changed  or 
amended,  except  those  for  charitable,  educational,  penal  or  reformatory  purposes,  which  are 
to  be  and  rem  tin  under  the  patronage  and  control  of  the  .State,  but  the  general  assembly 
shall  provide,  by  general  law,  for  the  organization  of  all  corp  >rations  hereafter  to  be  created. 

^ 2.  All  existing  charters  or  grants  of  special  or  exclusive  privileges,  under  which  organi- 
zation shall  not  have  taken  place,  or  which  shall  not  have  been  in  operation  within  ten  days 
from  the  time  this  constitution  takes  effect,  shall  thereafter  have  no  validity  or  effect  wh  it- 
cver. 

§ 3.  The  general  assembly  shall  provide,  by  law,  that  in  all  elections  for  directors  or 
managers  of  incorporated  companies,  every  stockholder  shall  have  the  right  to  vote,  in  person 
or  by  proxy,  for  the  number  of  shares  of  stock  owned  by  him,  for  as  many  persons  as  there  are 
directors  or  m niagers  to  be  elected,  or  to  cumulate  said  shares,  and  give  one  candidate  as 
many  votes  as  the  number  of  directors  multiplied  by  the  number  of  his  shares  of  stock,  shall 
equal,  or  to  distribute  them  on  the  same  principle  among  as  many  candidates  as  he  shall 
think  fit;  and  such  directors  or  managers  shall  not  be  elected  in  any  other  manner. 

2 4.  No  laws  shall  be  passed  by  the  general  a.ssembly,  granting  the  right  to  construct  and 
operate  a street  railroad  within  any  city,  town,  or  incorporated  village,  without  requiring  the 
consent  of  the  local  authorities  having  the  control  of  the  street  or  highway  proposed  to  be 
occupied  by  such  street  railroad. 

BANKS. 

^ 5.  No  State  bank  shall  hereafter  be  cre.ated,  nor  shall  the  State  own  or  be  liable  for  any 
stock  in  any  corporation  or  joint  stock  company  or  association  for  banking  purposes,  now 
created,  or  to  be  hereafter  created.  No  act  of  the  general  assembly  authorizing  or  creating 
corporations  or  asssociations,  with  banking  powers,  whether  of  issue,  deposit  or  discount,  nor 
amendments  thereto,  shall  go  into  effect  or  in  any  manner  be  in  force  unless  the  same  shall 
be  submitted  to  a vote  of  the  people  at  the  general  election  next  succeeding  the  passage  of 
the  same,  and  be  approved  by  a majority  of  all  the  votes  cast  at  such  election  for  or  against 
such  law. 

^ 6.  Every  stockholder  in  a banking  corporation  or  institution  shall  be  individually  respon- 
sible and  liable  to  its  creditors  over  and  above  the  amount  of  stock  by  him  or  her  held,  to 
an  amount  equal  to  his  or  her  respective  shares  so  held,  for  all  its  liabilities  accruing  while 
he  or  she  remains  such  a stockholder. 

§ 7.  The  suspension  of  specie  payments  by  banking  institutions,  or  their  circulation, 
created  by  the  laws  of  this  State,  shall  never  be  permitted  or  sanctioned.  Every  banking 
association  now,  or  which  may  herealter  be,  organized  under  the  the  laws  of  this  State,  shall 
make  and  publish  a full  and  accurate  quarterly  statement  of  its  affairs,  (which  shall  be  cer- 
tified to,  under  oath,  by  one  or  more  of  its  officers,)  as  may  be  provided  by  law. 

^ 8.  If  a general  banking  law  shall  be  enacted,  it  shall  provide  for  the  registry  and  counter- 
signing, by  an  officer  of  state,  of  all  bills  or  paper  credit,  designed  to  circulate  as  money, 
and  require  security,  to  the  full  amount  thereof,  to  be  deposited  with  the  State  treasurer,  in 
United  States  or  Illinois  State  stocks,  to  be  rated  at  ten  per  cent,  below  their  par  value; 
and  in  case  of  a depreciation  of  said  stocks  to  the  amount  of  ten  per  cent,  below  par,  the 
bank  or  banks  owning  said  stocks  shall  be  required  to  make  up  said  deficiency,  by  deposit- 
ing additional  stocks.  And  said  law  shall  also  provide  for  the  recording  of  the  names  of 
all  stockholders  in  such  corporations,  the  amount  of  stock  held  by  each,  the  time  of  any 
transfer  thereof,  and  to  whom  such  transfer  is  made. 

RAILROADS. 

^ 9.  Every  railroad  corporation  organized  or  doing  business  in  this  State,  under  the  laws 
or  authority  thereof,  shall  have  and  maintain  a public  office  or  place  in  this  State  for  the 
transaction  of  its  business,  where  transfers  of  stock  shall  be  made,  and  in  which  shall  be 
kept  for  public  inspection,  books,  in  which  shall  be  recorded  the  amount  of  capital  stcck  sub- 
scribed, and  by  whom  ; the  names  of  the  owners  of  stock  and  amount  by  them  respectively, 
the  amount  of  stock  paid  in  and  by  whom,  the  transfers  of  said  stock  ; the  amount  of  its  assets 
and  liabilities,  and  the  names  and  place  of  residence  of  its  officers.  The  directors  of  every 
railroad  corporation  shall,  annually,  make  a report,  under  oath,  to  the  auditor  of  public  ac- 
counts, or  some  officer  to  be  designated  by  law,  of  all  their  acts  and  doings,  which  report  shall 
include  such  matters  relating  to  railroads  as  may  be  prescribed  by  law.  And  the  general 
assembly  shall  pass  laws  enforcing  by  suitable  penalties  the  provisions  of  this  section. 

§ 10.  The  rolling  stock,  and  all  othermovable  property  belonging  to  any  railroad  comp.iny 
or  corporation  in  this  State,  shall  be  comsidered  personal  property,  and  shall  be  liable  to  ex- 
ecution and  sale  in  the  same  manner  as  the  personal  properly  of  individuals,  and  the  gen- 
eral assembly  shall  p.ass  no  law  exempting  any  such  property  from  execution  and  sale. 

§11.  No  railroad  corporation  shall  consolidate  its  stock,  property  or  franchises  with  any 
other  railroad  corporation  owning  a parallel  or  competing  line ; and  in  no  case  shall  any 
consolidation  take  place  except  upon  public  notice  given,  of  at  least  sixty  days,  to  all  stock- 
holders, in  such  manner  as  may  be  provided  by  law.  A majority  of  the  directors  of  any 
railroad  corporation,  now  incorporated  or  hereafter  to  be  incorporated  by  the  laws  of  the 
State,  shall  be  citizens  and  residents  of  this  State. 

• ? 12.  Railways  heretofore  constructed,  or  that  may  hereafter  be  constructed  in  this  State, 

are  hereby  declared  public  highways,  and  shall  be  free  to  all  persons  lor  the  transportation  of 
their  persons  and  property  thereon,  under  such  regulations  as  may  be  prescribed  by  law. 
And  the  general  assembly  shall,  from  time  to  time,  pass  laws  establishing  reasonable  maxi- 
mum rates  of  charges  fur  the  transportation  of  passengers  and  freight  on  the  different  rail- 
roads in  this  St.ate. 

^13.  No  railroad  corporation  shall  issue  any  stock  or  bonds,  except  for  money,  labor  or 
property,  actually  received,  and  applieil  to  the  purposes  for  which  such  corporation  was 
created ; and  all  stock  dividends,  and  other  fictitious  increase  of  the  capital  stock  nr  indebt- 
edness of  any  such  corporation,  shall  be  void.  The  capital  stock  of  no  railroad  corporation 
shall  be  increased  for  any  purpose,  except  upon  giving  sixty  days’  public  notice,  in  such  man- 
ner as  may  be  provided  by  law. 

§ 14.  The  exercise  of  the  power,  and  the  right  of  eminent  domain  shall  never  be  so  con- 
strued or  abridged  as  to  prevent  the  taking,  by  the  general  assembly,  of  the  property  and 
franchises  of  incorporated  companies  already  organized,  and  subjecting  them  to  the  public 
necessity  the  same  as  of  individuals.  The  right  of  trial  by  jury  shall  be  held  inviolate  in 
all  trials  of  claims  for  compensation,  when,  in  the  exercise  of  the  said  right  of  eminent  do- 
main, any  incorporated  company  shall  be  interested  either  for  or  against  the  exercise  of  said 

g 15.  The  general  assembly  shall  pa.ss  haws  to  correct  abuses  and  prevent  unjust  discrimin- 
ation and  extortion  in  the  rates  of  freight  and  passenger  tariffs  on  different  railroads  in 
this  State,  and  enforce  such  laws,  by  adequate  penalties,  to  the  extent,  if  necessary  for  that 
purpose,  of  forfeiture  of  their  property  and  franchises. 

ARTICLE  XII. 

MILITIA. 

? I.  Persons  composing  the  Militia.  1 3 4.  Privilege  from  Arrest. 

J 2.  Organization— Equipment— Dise  pLne.  5 5.  Records,  Banners  and  Relics. 

( 3.  Commissions  of  Oflittrs.  1 ? 5.  Exempt  on  from  militia  duty. 

§ I.  The  militia  of  the  State  of  Illinois  shall  consist  of  all  able-bodied  male  persons,  resi- 
dent in  the  State,  between  the  ages  of  eighteen  and  forty-five,  except  such  persons  as  now 
are,  or  hereafter  may  be,  exempted  by  the  laws  of  the  United  States,  or  of  this  State. 


? I.  Fstablished  only  by  General  Laws. 

\ 2.  Existing  Charters — How  Forfeited. 

^ 3.  Election  of  Directors  or  Manag  rs. 

^ 4.  Construction  of  Street  Railroads. 

\ 5.  State  Bank  Forbidden — General  Law. 
I 6.  Liability  of  Bank  Stockholder. 

I 7.  S sponsion  of  Specie  Payment. 

§8.  Of  a General  Bauking  Law. 


I 2.  The  general  assembly,  in  providing  for  the  organization,  equipment  and  discipline  of 
the  militia,  shall  conform  as  nearly  as  practicable  to  the  regulations  for  the  government  of 
the  armies  of  the  United  States. 

^ 3.  All  militia  officers  shall  be  commissioned  by  the  governor,  and  may  hold  their  com- 
nr  issions  for  such  times  as  the  general  assembly  may  provide. 

^ 4.  The  militia  shall,  in  all  cases,  except  treason,  felony  or  breach  of  the  peace,  be  privi- 
leged from  arrest  during  their  attendance  at  musters  and  elections,  and  in  going  to  and  re- 
turning from  the  same. 

5.  The  military  records,  banners  and  relics  of  the  State,  shall  be  preserved  as  an  endur- 
ing memorial  of  the  patriotism  and  valor  of  Illinois,  and  it  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  general 
assembly  to  provide  by  law  for  the  safe  keeping  of  the  same. 

6.  No  person  having  conscientious  scruples  against  bearing  arms,  shall  be  compelled  to 
do  militia  duty  in  time  of  peace:  Provided,  such  person  shall  pay  an  equivalent  for  such  ex- 
emption. 


SEPARATE  SECTIONS. 

Ill  n ils  Central  Railroad.  j Municipal  Subscription  to  Corporations, 

llliaois  ana  M.chigan  Canal.  | 

No  contract,  obligation  or  liability  whatever,  of  the  Illinois  Central  Railroad  Comp.any, 
to  pay  any  money  into  the  State  treasury,  nor  any  lien  of  the  State  upon,  or  right  to  tax  prol 
pet  ty  of  said  company,  in  accordance  with  the  provisions  of  the  charter  of  said  company,  ap- 
proved Feb.  10,  in  the  year  of  our  Lord  1851,  sh.all  ever  be  released,  suspended,  modified 
altered,  remitted,  or  in  any  manner  diminished  or  impaired  by  legislative  or  other  authority  ; 
and  all  moneys  derived  from  said  company,  after  the  payment  of  the  State  debt,  shall  be  ap- 
propriated and  set  apart  for  the  payment  of  the  ordinary  expenses  of  the  State  government, 
and  for  no  other  purposes  whatever. 

MUNICIPAL  SUBSCRIPTIONS  TO  RAILROADS  OR  PRIVATE  CORPORATIONS. 


ARTICLE  XIII. 


WAREHOUSES. 


I 1.  What  deemed  Public  Warehouses. 
^ 2.  Sworn  weekly  statements  required. 
^ 3.  Examination  of  prt>perty  stored. 
i 4.  Carriers  to  deliver  full  Weight. 


3 5.  Delivery  of  Grain  by  Railroads. 

3 6.  Powerand  Duty  of  the  Legislature. 

§ 7.  Giain  Inspection — Protection  of  Dealers. 


f I.  All  elevators  or  storehouses  where  grain  or  other  property  is  stored  for  a compensation, 
whether  the  property  stored  be  kept  separate  or  not,  are  declared  to  be  public  warehouses. 

§ 2.  The  owner,  lessee  or  manager  of  each  and  every  public  warehouse  situated  in  any 
town  or  city  of  not  less  than  100,000  inhabitants,  shall  make  weekly  statements  under  oath, 
before  some  officer  to  be  designated  by  law,  and  keep  the  same  posted  in  some  conspicuous 
place  in  the  office  of  such  warehouse,  and  shall  also  file  a copy  for  public  examination  in 
SHch  place  as  shall  be  designated  by  law,  which  statement  shall  correctly  set  forth  the  amount 
and  grade  of  each  and  every  kind  of  grain  in  such  warehouse,  together  with  such  other 
property  as  may  be  stored  therein,  and  what  warehouse  receipts  have  been  issued,  and  are, 
at  the  time  of  making  such  statement,  outstanding  therefor  ; and  shall,  on  the  copy  posted  in 
the  warehouse,  note  daily  such  changes  as  may  be  made  in  the  quantity  and  grade  of  grain 
in  such  warehouse;  and  the  different  grades  of  grain  shipped  in  separate  lots,  shall  not  be 
mixed  with  inferior  or  superior  grades,  without  the  consent  of  the  owner  or  consignee  there- 
of. 

^ 3.  The  owners  of  property  stored  in  any  warehouse,  or  holder  of  a receipt  for  the  same, 
shall  always  be  at  liberty  to  examine  such  property  stored,  and  all  the  books  and  records  of 
the  warehouse  in  regard  to  such  property. 

^ 4.  All  railroad  companies  and  other  common  carriers  on  railroads  shall  weigh  or  measure 
grain  at  points  where  it  is  shipped,  and  receipt  for  the  full  amount,  and  shall  be  responsible 
lor  the  delivery  of  such  amount  to  the  owner  or  consignee  thereof,  at  the  place  of  destina- 
tion. 

J 5.  All  railroad  companies  receiving  and  transporting  grain  in  bulk  or  otherwise,  shall 
deliver  the  same  to  any  consignee  thereof,  or  any  elevator  or  public  warehouse  to  which  it 
may  be  consigned,  provided  such  consignee,  or  the  elevator  or  public  warehouse  can  be 
reached  by  any  track  owned,  leased  or  used,  or  which  can  be  used,  by  such  railroad  com- 
panies ; and  all  railroad  companies  shall  permit  connections  to  be  made  with  their  track,  so 
that  any  such  consignee;  and  any  public  warehouse,  coal  bank  or  coal  yard,  may  be  reached 
by  the  cars  on  said  railroad. 

§ 6.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  general  assembly  to  p.ass  all  necessary  laws  to  prevent  the 
issue  of  false  and  fraudulent  warehouse  receipts,  and  to  give  full  effect  to  this  article  of  the 
constitution,  which  shall  be  liberally  construed  so  as  to  protect  producers  and  shippers. 
And  the  enumeration  of  the  remedies  herein  named  shall  not  be  construed  to  deny  to  the 
general  a.ssembly  the  power  to  prescribe  by  law  such  other  and  further  remedies  as  may  be 
found  expedient,  or  to  deprive  any  person  of  existing  common  law  remedies. 

^ 7.  The  general  assembly  shall  pass  laws  for  the  inspection  of  grain,  for  the  protection  of 
producers,  shippers  and  receivers  of  grain  and  produce. 


ARTICLE  XIV. 

AMENDMENTS  TO  THE  CONSTITUTION. 

J I.  By  a Consiituiional  Cotvemicn.  | J 2.  Proposed  by  the  Legislature. 

\ I.  Whenever  two-thirds  of  the  members  of  each  house  of  the  general  assembly  shall,  by 
a vote  cniered  upon  me  journals  ihereof,  concur  that  a convention  is  necessary  to  revise, 
alter  or  amend  the  constitution,  the  question  shall  be  sulunitted  to  the  elcctor.<  at  the  next 
general  election.  If  a majority  voting  at  the  election  vote  for  a convention,  the  general 
assembly  shall,  at  the  next  session,  )>rovide  for  a convention,  to  consist  of  double  the  num- 
ber of  the  members  of  tne  senate,  to  be  elected  in  the  same  manner,  at  the  same  jilaces,  and 
in  the  same  districts.  The  general  assembly  shall,  in  the  act  calling  the  convention,  desig- 
nate the  day,  hour  and  place  of  its  meeting,  fix  the  pay  of  its  members  and  officers,  and 
provide  for  the  payment  of  the  same,  together  with  expenses  necessarily  incurred  by  the  con- 
vention in  the  performance  of  its  duties.  Ileforc  proceeding,  the  members  shall  take  an  oath 
to  -.ufiporl  the  constitution  of  the  Unite  1 Slates,  and  of  the  Stale  of  Illinois,  and  to  faith- 
fully discharge  their  duties  as  members  of  the  convention.  The  qualification  of  members 
-hall  be  the  same  as  that  of  memliers  of  the  sen.ite,  and  vacancies  occurring  shall  be  filled 
in  the  manner  provided  for  filling  vacancies  in  the  general  assembly.  Said  convention  shall 
meet  within  three  months  after  such  election,  and  prepare  such  revisions,  alterations  or 
amendments  of  the  con>titution  as  shall  be  rieemed  necessary,  which  shall  be  submitted  to 
the  elector;  for  their  ratification  or  rejection,  at  an  election  appointed  by  the  convention  for 
that  purpii.e,  not  less  than  or  more  th.m  six  months  after  the  adjournment  thereof ; and  un- 
less .10  submitted  and  approved  by  a m.ilority  of  the  electors  voting  at  the  election,  no  such 
revisions,  aller.itions  or  amendments  .h.dl  lake  effect. 

2.  Amendments  to  this  constitution  miy  be  proposed  in  cither  house  of  the  general  as- 
sembly, and  if  the  same  shall  be  voted  for  by  two  thirds  of  all  the  members  elected  to  each 
of  the  two  houses,  ,uch  proposed  amendments,  together  with  the  yeas  and  nays  of  e ich 
house  thereon,  shall  be  entered  in  full  on  their  respective  journals,  and  s.iid  amendnienls 
sh.dl  be  submitted  to  the  electors  of  this  Stite  for  adoption  or  rejection,  at  the  next  election 
of  members  of  the  general  assembly,  in  such  manner  as  may  be  prescribed  by  l.iw.  The 
proposed  amendments  shall  be  published  in  full  at  least  three  months  prccecding  the  election, 
and  if  a majority  of  electors  voting  at  said  election  sh.dl  vole  for  the  |)ro]ioscd  amendments, 
they  shall  liecomc  .1  part  of  this  constitution.  Kut  lhegener.il  assembly  shall  have  no  power 
to  propose  amendments  to  more  than  one  article  of  this  constitution  at  the  same  session,  nor  to 
the  same  article  oftner  th.vi  once  in  four  years. 


No  county,  city,  town,  township  or  other  municipality,  shall  ever  become  subscriber  to  the 
capital  stock  of  any  railroad  or  private  corporation,  or  make  don.ation  to,  or  loan  its  credit 
in  aid  of  such  corporation  : Provided,  however,  that  the  adoption  of  this  article  shall  not 

be  construed  as  affecting  the  right  of  any  such  municipality  to  make  such  subscriptions  where 
the  same  have  been  auihorized,  under  existing  laws,  by  a vote  of  the  people  of  such  munici- 
palities prior  to  such  adoption. 

CANAL. 

The  Illinois  and  Michigan  Canal  shall  never  be  sold  or  leased  until  the  specific  proposi- 
tion for  the  sale  or  lease  thereof  shall  have  first  been  submitledto  a vote  of  the  people  of 
the  State,  at  a general  election,  and  have  been  approved  by  a majority  of  all  the  votes 
polled  at  such  election.  The  general  assembly  shall  never  loan  the  credit  of  the  State,  or 
make  appropriations  from  the  treasury  thereof,  in  aid  of  railroads  or  canals  : Provided, 

that  any  surplus  earnings  of  any  canal  may  be  appropriated  for  its  enlargement  or  extension. 


SCHEDULE. 


3 1.  Laws  in  force  remain  valid. 

I 2.  Fines,  PenaUies,  and  Forfeitures. 

^ 3.  Recognizances,  Bonds,  Obligauocs, 


^ 4.  Present  courty  Courts  continued. 
6 5.  All  existing  Courts  coiuinucd. 

\ 6.  Persons  now  in  Office  con.inued. 


That  no  inconvenience  may  arise  from  the  alterations  and  amendments  made  in  the  constitution  of  this 
State,  and  to  carry  the  same  into  complete  effect,  it  is  hereby  ordained  and  declared  ; 


I I.  That  all  laws  in  force  at  the  adoption  of  this  constitution,  not  inconsistent  therewith, 
and  all  rights,  actions,  prosecutions,  claims,  and  contracts  of  th’s  State,  individuals,  or  bodies 
corporate,  shall  continue  to  be  as  valid  as  if  this  constitution  had  not  been  adopted. 

^ 2.  That  all  fines,  taxes,  penalties  and  forfeitures,  due  and  owing  to  the  State  of  Illinois 
under  the  present  constitution  and  laws,  shall  insure  to  the  use  of  the  people  of  the  Sute  of 
Illinois,  under  this  constitution. 

^ 3.  Recognizances,  bonds,  obligations,  and  all  other  instruments  entered  into  or  executed 
before  the  adoption  of  this  constitution,  to  the  people  of  the  State  of  Illinois,  to  any  State 
or  county  officer  or  public  body,  shall  remain  binding  and  valid;  and  rights  ami  liabilities 
upon  the  same  shall  continue,  and  all  crimes  and  misdemeanors  shall  be  tried  and  punished 
as  though  no  change  had  been  made  in  the  constitution  of  this  State. 

^ 4.  County  courts  for  the  tr.nnsaction  of  county  busine.ss  in  counties  not  having  adopted 
township  organization,  shall  continue  in  existence  and  exercise  their  present  jurisdiction 
until  the  board  of  county  commissioners  provided  in  this  constitution  is  organized  in  pur- 
suance of  an  act  of  the  general  assembly  ; and  the  county  courts  in  all  other  counties  shall 
have  the  same  power  and  jurisdiction  they  now  possess  until  otherwise  provided  by  general 
law. 

^ 5.  All  existing  courts  which  are  not  in  this  constitution  specially  enumerated,  shall  con- 
tinue in  existence  and  exercise  their  present  jurisdiction  until  otherwise  provided  by  law. 

^ 6.  All  persons  now  filling  any  office  or  appointment  shall  continue  in  the  exercise  of  the 
duties  thereof  according  to  their  respective  commissions  or  appointments,  unless  by  this 
constitution  it  is  otherwise  directed. 


************** 


g 18.  All  laws  of  the  .State  of  Illinois,  and  all  official  writings,  and  the  executive,  legisla- 
tive and  judicial  proceedings,  shall  be  conducted,  preserved  and  published  in  no  other  than 
the  English  language. 

^ 19.  The  general  assembly  sh.all  pass  all  laws  necessary  to  carry  into  effect  the  provisions 
of  this  constitution. 

jj  20.  The  circuit  clerks  of  the  different  counties  having  a population  over  .sixty  thousand, 
shall  continue  to  be  recorders  (ex-officio)  for  their  respective  count.es,  under  this  constitu- 
tion, until  the  expiration  of  their  respective  terms. 

21.  The  judges  of  all  courts  of  record  in  Cook  County  shall,  in  lieu  of  any  salary  pro- 
vided for  in  this  constitution,  receive  the  compensation  now  provided  by  law  until  the  ad- 
journment of  the  first  session  of  general  assembly  after  the  adoption  of  this  constitution. 

^ 22.  The  present  judge  of  the  circuit  court  of  Cook  county  shall  continue  to  hold  the 
circuit  court  of  Lake  county  until  otherwise  provided  by  law. 

2 23.  When  this  constitution  shall  be  adopted,  and  take  effect  as  the  supreme  law  of  the 
State  of  Illinois,  the  two-mill  tax  provided  to  be  annually  assessed  and  collected  upon  e.ach 
dollar’s  worth  of  taxable  jiropeity,  in  addition  to  all  other  taxes,  as  set  forth  in  article  fifteen 
of  the  now  existing  constitution,  shall  cease  to  be  assessed  after  the  year  of  our  Lord  one 
thousand  eight  hundred  and  seventy. 

g 24.  Nothing  contained  in  this  constitution  shall  be  so  construed  as  to  deprive  the  genera 
assembly  of  the  power  to  authorize  the  city  of  Quincy  to  create  any  in  lebledness  for  rail- 
road or  municipal  purposes,  for  which  the  people  of  said  city  shall  have  voted,  and  to  which 
they  shall  have  given,  by  such  vote,  their  assent,  prior  to  the  thirteenth  day  of  December,  in 
the  year  of  our  Lord  one  thousand  eight  hundred  and  sixty-nine : Provided,  that  no  such 

indebtedness,  so  created,  shall  in  any  part  thereof  be  paid  by  the  .State,  or  from  any  Slate 
revenue,  tax  or  fund,  but  the  same  shall  be  p.aid,  if  at  all,  by  the  said  city  of  Quincy  alone, 
and  by  taxes  to  be  levied  upon  the  taxable  property  Ihereof:  And  provided,  further,  that 

tlie  general  .assembly  shall  have  no  power  in  the  premises  that  it  could  not  exercise  under 
the  present  constitution  of  this  State. 

§ 25.  In  case  this  constitution  ami  the  articles  and  sections  submitted  separately  be  adopt- 
ed,'the  existing  constitution  shall  ce.ase  in  all  its  provisions;  and  in  c.ase  this  constitution 
be  adopted,  and  any  one  or  more  of  its  articles  or  sections  submitted  separately  be  defeated, 
the  provisions  of  the  existing  constitution  (if  any)  on  the  same  subject  shall  remain  in 
force. 

9 26.  The  provisions  of  this  constitution  required  to  be  executed  prior  to  the  adoption  or 
rejection  thereof  shall  t.ake  effect  and  be  in  force  immediately. 

Done  ill  convention  at  the  capital,  in  the  city  of  Springfield,  on  the  tbiitecnth  day  of 
May,  in  the  year  of  our  Lord  one  thousand  eight  hundred  and  seventy,  and  of  the  inde- 
pendence of  the  United  States  of  America  the  ninety-fourth. 

Ill  witness  whereof,  we  liave  hereunto  subscribed  our  names  : 

CH.-\RLES  HITCHCOCK,  President. 


Willicim  J.  Allen, 
John  Abbott, 

James  C.  Allen, 
Elliott  Anthony, 

\Vm.  R.  Archer, 
Henry  I.  Atkins, 
James  G.  Bayne, 

R.  M.  Benjamin, 

H.  I’.  H.  Brownwell, 
O.  II.  Browning, 
\Vm.  G.  Bowman, 
Silas  L.  Bryon, 

II.  P.  Buxton, 

Daniel  Cameron, 
William  Cary, 
Lawrence  S.  Church, 
Hiram  H.  Cody, 

W.  h’.  Coolbaugh, 
Alfred  M.  Craig, 
Robert  J.  Cross, 
Samuel  P.  Cummings, 
John  Dement, 

G.  S.  Eldridge, 

James  W.  English, 
David  Ellis, 

Ferris  Forman, 


Robert  A.  King,'' 

Jas.  McCoy, 

Charles  E.  McDowell, 
William  C.  Goodhue, 
Joseph  Medill, 

Clifton  H.  Moore, 
Jonathan  Merriani, 
Joseph  Parker, 

Samuel  C.  Parks, 
Peleg  S.  Perley, 

J.  S.  Poage, 

Edward  Y.  Rice, 
James  P.  Robinson, 
Lewis  W.  Ross, 
William  P.  Pierce, 

N.  J.  Pillsbury, 

Jno.  Scholfield, 

James  M.  Sharp, 
Henry  Sherrell, 

Wm.  II . Snyder, 

O.  C.  Skinner, 

Westel  W.  Sedgwick, 
Charles  P'.  Springer, 
John  L.  Tincher, 

C.  Truesdale, 

Henry  Tubbs, 


Jesse  C.  Fox, 

Miles  A.  Fuller, 

John  P.  Gamble, 

Addison  Goodell, 

John  C.  Haines, 

Elijah  M.  Haines, 

John  VV.  Hankins, 

R.  P.  Hanna, 

Joseph  Hart, 

Abel  Harwood, 

Milton  Hay, 

Samuel  Snowden  Hayes, 
Jesse  S.  Hildrup, 

Attest  : — John  Q.  Harmon,  Secretary. 


Thomas  J.  Turner, 
\Vm.  H.  Underwood, 
Wm.  L.  Vandeventer 
Henry  W.  Wells, 
George  E.  Wait, 
George  W.  Wall, 

R.  B.  Sutherland, 

D.  C.  Wagner, 
George  R.  Wendling, 
Chas.  Wheaton, 

L.  D.  Whiting, 

John  H.  Wilson, 
Orlando  H.  Wright. 


Daniel  Shepard,  First  Assistant  Secretary. 


A.  H.  Swain,  Second  Assistant  Secretary. 


UNITED  STATES  OF  AMERIC 
STATE  OF  ILLINOIS. 


OJ/ice  of  Secretary. 


I.  Georgk  H.  Harlow.  Secretiry  of  the  State  of  Illinois,  do  hereby  cmify  that  the  foregoing  is  a true 
copy  of  the  constitution  of  the  State  of  Illinois  adopted  in  convendon  the  13th  day  of  May,  1870,  ratified  by 
a vote  of  the  people  the  2th  day  of  July,  1870,  and  in  force  on  the  8th  d ly  of  Aug  tst,  1873,  and  now  on  file  in 
th  s office.  In  testimony  whereof  I hereto  set  my  hand  and  affix  the  Great  Seal  of  State,  at  the  city  of 
Springfield,  this  31st  day  of  March,  A.  D.  1873. 

GEO.  H.  HARLOW,  Secretary  of  State, 


DECLARATIOI^  OF  INDEPENDENCE. 


When,  in  the  course  of  human  events,  it  becomes  necessary  for  one  people  to  dissolve  the 
political  bands  which  have  connected  them  with  another,  and  to  assume  among  the  powers 
of  the  earth,  the  separate  and  equal  station  to  which  the  law.s  of  n iture  and  of  nature’s  God 
entitle  them,  a decent  respect  to  the  opinions  of  mankind  requires  that  they  should  declare 
the  causes  which  impel  them  to  the  separation. 

We  hold  these  truths  to  be  self-evident,  that  all  men  are  created  equal;  that  they  are  en- 
dowed by  their  Creator  with  certain  unalienable  rights  ; that  among  these  are  life,  liberty  and 
the  pursuit  of  happiness.  That  to  secure  these  rights,  governments  are  instituted  among  men, 
deriving  their  just  powers  from  the  consent  of  the  governed  ; that,  whenever  any  form  of 
government  becomes  destructive  of  the.se  ends,  it  is  the  right  of  the  people  to  alter  or  to  abol- 
ish it,  and  to  institute  a new  gavernment,  laying  its  foundation  on  such  principles,  and 
organizing  its  p,awers  in  such  form,  as  to  them  shall  seem  most  likely  to  effect  their  safety  and 
happiness  Prudence,  indeed,  will  dictate  that  governments  long  established  should  nofbe 
changed  for  light  and  transient  causes;  and,  accordingly,  all  experience  hath  shown  that 
mankind  are  more  disposed  to  suffer,  while  evils  are  sufferable,  than  to  right  themselves  by 
abolishing  the  forms  to  which  they  are  accustomed.  But  when  along  train  of  abuses  and 
usurpations,  pursuing  invarial^  the  same  object,  evinces  a design  to  reduce  them  under  ab- 
solute despotism,  it  is  their  right,  it  is  their  duty  to  throw  off  such  government,  and  to  provide 
new  guards  for  their  future  security.  Such  has  been  the  patient  sufferance  of  these  colonies, 
and  such  is  now  the  necessity  which  constrains  them  to  alter  their  former  systems  of  govern- 
ment. The  history  of  the  present  King  of  Great  Britain  is  a history  of  repeated  injuries  and 
usurpations,  all  having  in  direct  object  the  establishment  of  an  absolute  tyranny  over  these 
States.  To  prove  this  let  facts  be  submitted  to  a candid  world: 

He  has  refused  his  assent  to  laws  the  most  wholesome  and  necessary  for  the  public 
good. 

He  has  forbidden  his  Governors  to  passjaws  of  immediate  and  pressing  importance,  unless 
suspended  in  their  operation  tdl  his  assent  should  be  obtained ; and  when  so  suspended,  he 
has  utterly  neglected  to  attend  to  them. 

He  has  refused  to  pass  other  laws  for  the  accommodation  of  large  districts  of  people,  unless 
those  people  would  relinquish  the  right  of  representation  in  the  legislature  ; a right  inestima- 
ble to  them,  and  formidable  to  tyrants  only. 

He  has  c.rlle  1 together  legislative  bodies  at  places  unusual,  uncomfortable,  and  distant  from 
the  depository  of  their  public  records,  for  the  sole  purpose  of  fatiguing  them  into  compliance 
with  bis  measures. 

He  has  dissolved  representative  houses  repeatedly  for  opposing,  with  manly  firmness,  his 
invasions  on  the  rights  of  the  people. 

He  has  refused,  for  a long  time  after  such  dissolution,  to  cause  others  to  be  elected  ; 
whereby  the  legislative  powers,  incapable  of  annihilatic.i,  have  returned  to  the  people  at 
large  for  their  exercise;  the  State  remaining,  in  the  meantime,  exposed  to  all  the  danger 
of  invasion  from  without,  and  convulsions  within. 

He  has  endeavored  to  prevent  the  population  of  these  States  ; for  that  purpose,  obstructing 
the  laws  for  naturalization  of  foreigners;  refusing  to  pass  others  to  encourage  their  migration 
hither,  and  raising  the  conditions  of  new  appropriations  of  lauds. 

He  has  obstructed  the  administration  of  justice,  by  refusing  his  assent  to  laws  for  estab- 
lishing judiciary  powers. 

He  has  made  judges  dependent  on  his  will  alone,  for  .he  tenure  of  their  offices,  and  the 
amount  and  payment  of  their  salaries. 

He  has  erected  a multitude  of  new  offices,  and  sent  hither  swarms  of  officers  to  harass  our 
people,  and  eat  out  their  substance. 

He  has  kept  among  us,  in  times  of  peace,  standing  armies,  without  the  consent  of  our 
legislature. 

He  h.is  affected  to  render  the  military  independent  of,  and  superior  to,  the  civil  power. 

He  has  combined,  with  others,  to  subject  us  to  a jurisdiction  foreign  to  our  constitution, 
and  unacknowledged  by  our  laws ; giving  his  assent  to  their  acts  of  pretended  legislation. 


For  quar'^ertng  large  bodies  of  armed  troops  among  us. 

For  protecting  them,  by  a mock  trial,  from  punishment,  for  any  murders  which  they 
should  commit  on  the  inhabitants  of  these  States. 

For  cutting  off  our  trade  with  all  parts  of  the  world  : 

For  imposing  taxes  on  us  without  our  consent : 

For  depriving  us,  in  many  cases,  of  the  benefits  of  trial  by  jury  : 

For  transporting  us  beyond  seas  to  be  tried  for  pretended  offences  : 

For  abolishing  the  free  system  of  English  laws  in  a neighboring  province,  establishing 
therein  an  arbitriry  government,  and  enlarging  its  boundaries,  so  as  to  render  it  at  once  an 
example  and  fit  instrument  for  introducing  the  same  absolute  rule  into  these  colonies  : 

For  taking  away  our  ch.arters,  abolishing  our  most  valuable  laws,  and  altering  fundament- 
ally, the  powers  of  our  governments: 

For  suspending  our  own  legislatures,  and  decliring  themselves  invested  with  power  to 
legisl.ate  for  us  in  all  cases  whatsoever. 

lie  has  abdicated  govermnent  here,  by  declaring  us  out  of  his  protection,  and'waging  war 
against  us. 

Ho  has  plundered  our  seas,  ravaged  our  coasts,  burnt  our  towns,  and  destroyed  the  lives 
of  our  people. 

He  is,  at  this  time,  transporting  large  armies  of  foreign  mercenaries  to  complete  the  work 
of  death,  desolation  and  tyranny,  already  begun,  with  rircumstanres  of  cruelty  and  perfidy 
scarcely  paralleled  in  the  most  barbarous  ages,  and  totally  unworthy  the  head  of  a civilized 
nation. 

He  has  constrained  our  fellow-citizens,  taken  captive  on  the  high  seas,  to  bear  arms 
against  their  country,  to  become  the  executioners  of  their  friends  and  brethren,  or  to  fall 
themselves  by  their  hands. 

He  has  excited  domestic  insurrections  amongst  us,  and  has  endeavored  to  bring  on  the 
inhabitants  of  our  frontiers,  the  merciless  Indian  savages,  whose  known  rule  of  warfare  is  an 
undistinguished  destruction  of  all  ages,  sexes,  and  conditions. 

In  every  stage  of  these  oppressions,  we  have  petitioned  for  redress,  in  the  most  humble 
terms ; our  repeated  petitions  have  been  answered  only  by  repeated  injury.  A prince, 
whose  character  is  thus  marked  by  every  act  which  may  define  a tyrant,  is  unfit  to  be  the 
ruler  of  a free  people. 

Nor  have  we  been  wanting  in  attention  to  our  British  brethren.  We  have  warned  them 
from  time  to  time,  of  attempts  made  by  their  legislature  to  extend  an  unwarrantable  jurisdic- 
tion over  us.  We  have  reminded  them  of  the  circumstances  of  our  emigration  and  settlement 
here.  We  have  appealed  to  their  native  justice  and  magnanimity,  and  we  have  conjured 
them,  by  the  ties  of  our  common  kindred,  to  disavow  these  usurpations,  which  would  inevit- 
ably interrupt  our  connaclions  and  correspondence.  They,  too,  have  been  deaf  to  the  voice 
of  justice  and  consanguinity.  We  must,  therefore,  acquiesce  in  the  necessity,  which  denounces 
our  separation,  and  hold  them,  as  we  hold  the  rest  of  mankind,  enemies  in  war,  in  peace, 
friends. 

We,  therefore,  the  representatives  of  the  UNITED  .STATES  OF  AMERICA,  in  GEN- 
ERAL CONGRESS  assembled,  appealing  to  llie  Supreme  Judge  of  the  World  for  the 
rectitude  of  our  intentions,  do,  in  the  name,  and  by  the  authority  of  the  good  people  of  these 
colonies,  solemnly  publish  and  ded  ire.  That  these  United  Colonies  are,  and  of  right  ought 
to  be,  FREE  AND  INDEPENDENT  S TATES;  that  they  are  absolved  from  all  allegiance 
to  the  British  crown,  and  that  all  political  connection  between  them  and  the  .State  of  Great 
Britain,  is,  and  o.ight  to  be,  totally  dissolved;  and  that,  as  FREE  AND  INDEPENDENT 
STATES,  they  have  full  power  to  levy  war,  conclude  peace,  contract  alliances,  establish 
commerce,  and  to  do  all  other  acts  ami  things  which  INDEPENDENT  STATES  may  of 
right  do.  And,  for  the  support  of  this  declaration,  and  a firna  reliance  on  the  protection  of 
DIVINE  PROVIDENCE,  we  mutually  pledge  to  each  other,  our  lives,  our  fortunes,  and 
our  sacred  honor. 

JOHN  HANCOCK. 


CONSTITUTION  OF  THE  UNITED  STATES 


We,  the  people  of  the  United  States,  in  order  to  form  a more  perfect  Union,  establish  justice, 
insure  domestic  tranquility,  provide  for  the  common  defense,  promote  the  general  welfare, 
and  secure  the  blessings  of  liberty  to  ourselves  and  our  posterity,  do  ordain  and  establish 
this  Constitution  for  the  United  States  of  America. 

ARTICLE  I. 

Section  I.  All  legislative  powers  heiein  granted  shall  be  vested  in  a Congress  of  the 
United  Slates,  which  shall  consist  of  a Senate  and  House  of  Representatives. 

Section  2.  The  House  of  Representatives  shall  be  composed  of  members  chosen  every 
second  year  by  the  people  of  the  several  States,  and  the  electors  in  each  State  shall  have  the 
qualifications  requisite  lor  electors  of  the  most  numerous  branch  of  the  State  Legislature. 

No  person  shall  be  a Representative  who  shall  not  have  attained  to  the  age  of  twenty-five 
ears,  and  been  seven  ’ears  a citizen  of  the  United  Stales,  and  who  shall  not,  when  elected, 
e an  inhabitant  of  that  State  in  which  he  shall  be  chosen. 

Representatives  and  direct  taxes  shall  be  apportioned  among  the  several  States  which  may 
be  included  within  this  Union,  according  to  their  respective  numbers,  which  shall  be  deter- 
mined by  adding  to  the  whole  number  of  free  persons,  including  those  bound  to  service  for 
a term  of  year's  and  excluding  Indians  not  taxed,  three-fifths  of  all  other  persons.  The 
actual  enumeration  shall  be  made  within  three  years  after  the  first  meeting  of  the  Congress 
of  the  United  States,  and  w ithin  every  subsequent  term  of  ten  years,  in  such  manner  as  they 
shall  by  law  direct.  The  number  of  Representatives  shall  not  exceed  one  for  every  thirty 
thousand,  but  each  State  shall  have  at  least  one  Representative ; and  until  such  enumeration 
shall  be  made,  the  Slate  of  New  Ilamphsire  shall  be  entitled  to  choose  three,  Massachusetts 
eight,  Rhode  Island  and  Providi  nee  Plantations  one,  Connecticut  five.  New  York  six.  New 
Jersey  four,  Pennsylvania  eight,  Delaware  one,  Maryland  six,  Virginia,  ten.  North  Carolina 
five,  and  Georgia  three.  . , 

When  vacancies  happen  in  the  representation  from  any  State,  the  Executive  authority 
thereof  shall  issue  writs  of  election  to  fill  such  vacancies. 

The  I louse  of  Representatives  shall  choose  their  Speaker  and  other  officers,  and  shall  have 
the  sole  power  of  impeachment. 

Section  3.  The  Senate  of  the  United  States  shall  be  composed  of  two  Senators  from  each 
.State,  chosen  by  the  Legislature  thereof,  for  six  years ; and  each  Senator  shall  have  one 
vote. 

Immediately  after  they  shall  be  assembled  in  consequence  of  the  first  election,  they  shall 
be  divided  as  equally  as  may  be  into  three  classes.  The  seats  of  the  Senators  of  the  fir  t 
class  shall  be  vacated  at  the  expiration  of  the  second  year,  of  the  second  class  at  the  expira- 
tion of  the  fourth  year,  and  of  the  third  class  at  the  expiration  of  the  sixth  year,  so  that  one- 
third  may  be  chosen  every  second  year;  and  if  vacancies  happen  by  resignation,  or  otherwise, 
during  the  recess  of  the  Legislature  of  any  State,  the  Executive  thereof  may  make  temporary 
airpointments  until  the  next  meeting  of  the  Legislature,  w hich  shall  then  fill  such  vacancies. 

No  jier-on  shall  be  a SenaK  r who  shall  not  have  attained  to  the  age  of  thirty  years,  and 
been  nine  years  a citizen  of  the  Lniled  States,  and  w'ho  shall  not,  w'hen  elected,  be  an  inhab- 
itant of  that  State  for  which  he  shall  be  chosen. 

The  Vice  President  of  the  United  States  shall  be  President  of  the  Senate,  but  shall  have 
no  vote  unless  they  be  equally  divided. 

The  Senate  shall  choose  their  other  officers,  and  also  a President  pro  tempore,  in  the 
ab-ince  of  the  Vice  President,  or  when  he  shall  exercise  the  office  of  President  of  the  United 

States.  . . 

The  Senate  shall  have  the  sole  power  to  try  all  impeachments.  When  sitting  lor  that 
puriiose  they  shall  1 c on  oath  or  .Tfirmation.  W hen  the  President  of  the  United  .States  is 
tricll,  the  Chief  Justice  shall  jireside.  And  no  person  shall  be  convicted  without  the  con- 
currence of  two-lhirds  of  the  numbers  prisent. 

Judgment  in  cases  of  impeachment  shall  not  extend  further  than  to  removal  from  office, 
and  disqualification  to  hold  and  enjoy  any  office  of  honor,  trust  or  profit  under  the  United 
Stales:  but  the  party  convicted  shall  nevertheless  be  liable  and  subject  to  indictment,  trial, 
judgment  and  piinishmint  according  to  law. 

Section  4.  The  times,  places  and  manner  of  holding  elections  for  Senators  and  Represent- 
atives, shall  be  jircscribcd  in  each  Slate  by  the  Legislature  thereof;  but  the  Congress  may  at 
any  time  by  law,  make  or  alter  such  regulations,  except  as  to  the  places  of  choosing 

Senators.  . , ,,  , 

1 he  Congress  shall  assemble  at  least  once  in  every  year,  and  such  meeting  shall  be  on 
the  first  Monday  in  Deccnihcr,  unlesslhey  shall  by  law  apjioint  a different  day. 

Ss.CTiriN  5.  Each  hou-e  shall  be  the  judge  of  the  election,  returns  and  ([ualifications  of  its 
own  niembir>,  and  a majority  of  each  shall  constilute  a (|uorum  to  do  business ; but  a smaller 
niimluT  may  adjourn  from  day  to  day,  and  may  be  authorized  to  compel  the  attendance  of 
absent  members  insuch  nianni  r,  and  under  such  penalties  as  each  house  may  provide. 

Each  house  may  determine  the  rules  of  its  proceedings,  punish  its  members  lor  disorderly 
behaviour,  and,  wiih  the  concurrence  of  two-thirds,  expel  a number. 

Each  house  shall  keep  a journal  of  its  jiroccedings,  and  from  time  to  lime  publish  the 
same,  excepting  such  paits  as  may  in  their  judgment  require  ‘■ecrecy  ; and  the  yeas  and  nays 
of  the  members  of  cither  house  on  any  iiucstion  shall,  at  the  desire  of  one-fifth  of  those 
j.re'cnt,  be  entered  cm  the  j<  utnal. 

Neilhir  house,  during  the  sc-  .ion  of  Congress,  shall,  without  the  consent  of  the  other, 
ad  oiirn  for  more  than  three  dajs,  nor  to  any  other  place  than  that  in  which  the  two  houses 
shall  be  -iiling. 

St  I ituN  0.  The  Senators  and  Representatives  shall  receive  a compensation  for  their  ser- 
vices, to  be  ascertained  by  law,  and  ]>aid  out  of  the  'IrcaMiiy  of  the  L'nilcd  Stales.  they 
■ha'I  i:i  all  cases,  except  treason,  felony  and  breach  of  the  jieace,  be  jirivilcgcd  from  arrest 
diir  ng  their  attendance  at  the  session  of  their  respective  bouses,  and  in  going  to  and  return-  ■ 
ing  friin  the  -.vmc;  and  lor  any  sjicech  or  debate  in  either  house  they  shall  not  be  questioned 
in  any  other  jilare. 

No  Senaior  < r Representative  -hall,  during  the  lime  fur  which  he  was  elected,  be  appointed 
to  any  civil  < flice  under  the  authority  of  the  United  Stales,  which  shall  have  been  created,  | 
or  the  emclumcnis  whereof  shall  have  beer  increased  during  such  lime;  and  no  person 


holding  any  office  under  the  United  Skates,  shall  be  a member  of  either  house  during  his' 
cont. nuance  in  office. 

Section  7.  All  bills  for  raising  revenue  shall  originate  in  the  House  of  Representatives  ; 
but  the  Senate  may  projiose  or  concur  with  amendments  as  on  other  bills. 

Every  bill  which  shall  have  passed  the  House  of  Representatives  and  the  Senate,  shall, 
before  it  becomes  a law,  be  presented  to  the  President  of  the  United  Stales;  if  he  approve 
he  shall  sign  it,  l)ut  if  not  he  shall  return  it  with  his  objections  to  that  house  in  which  it  shall 
have  originated,  who  shall  enter  the  objections  at  large  on  their  journal,  and  proceed  to 
reconsider  it.  If  after  such  reconsideralion  two  thirds  of  that  House  shall  agree  to  pass  the 
hill,  it  shall  he  sent,  together  with  the  objections,  to  the  other  house,  by  which  it  shall 
likewise  he  reconsiderecl,  and  if  ajjproved  by  two-thirds  of  that  House,  it  shall  become  a 
law.  Cut  in  all  such  c.ases  the  votes  of  both  houses  shall  be  determined  by  yeas  and  nays, 
and  the  names  of  the  persons  voting  for  and  against  the  bill  shall  be  entered  on  the  jcurnal 
of  each  house  respectively.  If  any  hill  snail  not  he  returned  by  the  President  within  ten  days 
(Sundays  excepted),  after  it  shall  h.ave  been  presented  to  him,  the  same  shall  be  a law,  in 
like  manner  as  if  he  had  signed  it,  unless  the  Congress  by  iheir  adjournment  prevent  its 
return,  in  which  case  it  shall  not  he  a law. 

Every  order,  resolution  or  vote  to  which  the  concurrence  of  the  Senate  and  House  of  Rep- 
resentatives may  be  necessary  (except  on  a question  of  adjournment),  shall  he  presented  t'> 
the  President  of  the  United  States;  and  before  the  same  shall  take  effect,  shall  be  approved 
by  him,  or  being  disapproved  by  him,  shall  be  repassed  by  two-thirds  of  the  Senate  and 
House  of  Representatives,  according  to  the  rules  and  limitations  prescribed  in  the  case  of  a 
hill. 

Section  8.  The  Congress  shall  have  power — ■ 

To  kiy  and  collect  taxes,  duties,  imposts  avj  excises,  to  pay  the  debts  anl  provide  for  the 
common  defense  and  general  welfare  of  the  United  States  ; but  all  duties,  imposts  and  excises 
shall  be  uniform  throughout  the  United  States; 

To  borrow  money  on  the  credit  of  the  United  States; 

To  regul.ate  commerce  with  foreign  nations,  and  among  the  several  States,  and  with  the 
Indian  tribes.  ; 

To  establish  a uniform  rule  of  naturalization,  and  uniform  laws  on  the  subject  of  bankrupt- 
cies throughout  the  United  States  ; 

To  coin  money,  regulate  the  value  thereof,  and  of  foreign  coin,  and  fix  the  standard  of 
w eights  and  measures ; 

To  provide  for  the  punishment  of  counterfeiting  the  securities  and  current  coin  of  the 
United  Stales ; 

To  esiahlish  post-offices  and  post-roads ; 

To  promote  the  progress  of  science  and  useful  arts,  by  securing  for  limited  times  to  authors 
and  inventors  the  exclusive  right  to  their  respective  writings  and  discoveries; 

To  constitute  tribunals  inferior  to  the  Supreme  Court; 

To  define  and  ]>iinish  piracies  and  felonies  committed  on  the  high  seas,  and  offences 
against  the  law  of  nations  ; 

To  declare  war,  giant  letters  of  marque  and  reprisal,  and  make  rules  concerning  captures 
on  Lind  and  water ; 

To  raise  and  support  armies,  but  no  appropriation  of  money  to  that  use  shall  he  for  a 
longer  term  than  two  years; 

To  provide  and  maintain  a navy  ; 

To  make  rules  for  the  governme;,t  and  regulation  of  the  land  and  naval  forces  ; 

To  provide  for  calling  forth  the  militia  to  execute  the  laws  ol  the  Union,  suppress  insur- 
rections and  rcjicl  invasions  ; 

To  provide  lor  organizing,  arming  and  disciplining  the  militia,  and  for  governing  .'=uch 
part  of  them  as  may  he  employed  in  the  service  of  the  United  States,  reserving  to  the  Stale-, 
respectively  the  appointment  of  the  officers,  and  the  authority  of  training  the  niilita  according 
to  the  discipline  jnescrihed  by  Congress. 

To  exercise  legislation  in  all  cases  whatsoever,  over  such  district  (not  exceeding  ten  miles 
square),  .as  may  by  the  cession  of  particular  States  and  the  acceptance  of  Congress,  liecome 
the  seat  of  the  government  of  the  United  States,  and  to  exercise  like  authority  over  all  places 
luircliaied  by  the  consent  of  the  I.cgislaturc  of  the  State  in  which  the  same  shall  lie,  lor  the 
erection  of  forts,  magazines,  arsenals,  dock-yards  and  other  needful  buildings;— and 

To  make  all  laws  which  shall  he  necessary  and  proper  for  carrying  into  execution  the 
foregoing  jiowcrs,  and  all  other  powers  vested  by  this  Cunstitulion  in  the  government  of  llie 
United  Slates,  or  in  any  department  or  officer  thereof. 

Sm noN  9.  The  migration  t r importation  of  such  persons  as  any  of  the  States  now  exist- 
ing shall  think  pro])er  to  admit,  shall  not  he  prohibited  by  the  Congress  prior  to  the  ) err 
one  thousand  eiglit  hundred  and  eight,  hut  a tax  or  duty  may  he  inqrosed  on  sudi  impoii.a- 
lion,  not  exceeding  ten  dollars  for  each  persons. 

The  |)rivileges  of  the  writ  of  habeas  corpus  shall  not  he  suspended,  unless  when  in  cases 
of  rebellion  or  invasion  the  jnihlic  safety  may  require  it. 

No  hill  of  attainder  or  cx  post  facto  l.aw  shall  he  passed. 

No  cairitation  or  other  direct  tax  shall  he  laid  unless  in  proportion  to  the  census,  or  enu- 
meration herein  before  directed  to  he  taken. 

No  tax  or  duly  shall  he  laid  on  articles  exported  from  any  State. 

No  preference  shall  he  given  by  any  regulation  of  lomnicrce  or  revenue  to  the  ports  of  one 
Stale  over  those  of  another;  nor  shall  vessels  hound  to,  or  from  one  Stale,  he  obliged  10 
enter,  dear,  or  pay  duties  in  another. 

No  money  shall  he  drawn  from  the  Treasury,  hut  in  coiise(|ucncc  of  appropriations  made 
by  law;  and  a regular  statement  and  account  of  the  receipts  and  cxiicmlitiiies  of  all  public 
money  shall  he  piililished  from  lime  to  time. 

No  title  of  nobility  shall  he  granted  by  the  United  States;  and  no  person  holding  any 
office  of  imilit  or  trust  under  them,  shall  wilhout  the  consent  of  the  Congress,  accept  of  .at  y 
|>rescr.t,  emolument,  office,  or  title,  of  any  kind  w h.alevcr,  from  any  king,  luincc,  or  foreign 

Slate.  . 

SEtTKiN  10.  No  Stale  shall  enter  into  any  trc.aly,  alliance,  or  confedcr.alion  ; grant  letters 
of  marque  or  reprisal ; coin  money  ; emit  hills  of  credit ; m.ake  .anything  but  gold  and  silver 


coin  a tender  in  payment  of  debts;  pass  any  bill  of  attainder, ex  post  facto  law,  or  law  im- 
pairing llie  obligation  of  contracts,  or  grant  any  title  of  nobility. 

No  State  shall,  without  the  consent  of  the  Congress,  lay  any  imposts  or  duties  on  imports 
or  exports,  except  what  may  be  absolutely  necessaiy  for  executing  its  inspection  laws,  and 
the  net  produce  of  all  duties  and  imposts  laid  by  any  State  on  imports  or  exports,  shall  be 
for  the  use  of  the  Treasury  of  the  United  States;  and  all  such  laws  shall  be  subject  to  the 
revision  and  control  of  the  Congress. 

No  State  shall,  without  the  consent  of  Congress,  lay  any  duty  on  tonnage,  keep  troops 
or  ships  of  war  in  time  of  peace,  enter  into  any  agreement  or  compact  with  another  State, 
or  with  a foreign  power,  or  engage  in  war,  unless  actually  invaded,  or  in  such  imminent 
danger  as  will  not  admit  of  delay. 

ARTICLE  II. 


diction,  both  as  to  law  and  fact,  with  such  exceptions,  and  under  such  regulations  as  the 
Congress  shall  make.  ^ 

The  trial  of  all  crimes,  except  in  cases  of  impeachment,  shall  be  by  jury;  and  such  trial 
shall  be  held  m the  State  where  the  said  crimes  shall  have  been  committed;  but  when  not 
committed  within  any  State,  the  trial  shall  be  at  such  place  or  places  as  the  CoiKrress  may 
by  law  have  directed.  “ ’ 

Section  3.  Treason  against  the  United  States  shall  consist  only  in  levying  war  against 
them,  or  in  adhering  to  their  enemies,  giving  them  aid  and  comfort.  No  person  shSl  be 
convicted  of  treason  unless  on  the  testimony  of  two  witnesses  to  the  same  overt  act  or  on 
confession  in  open  court.  ’ 

The  Congress  shall  have  power  to  declare  the  punishment  of  treason,  but  no  attainder  of 
treason  shall  work  corruption  of  blood,  or  forfeiture  except  during  the  life  of  the  person 
attainted.  ^ 


Section  i.  The  Executive  power  shall  be  vested  in  a President  of  the  United  States  of 
America,  lie  shall  hold  his  office  during  the  term  of  four  years,  and,  together  with  the 
Vice  President  chosen  for  the  same  term,  be  elected  as  follows  : 

Each  State  shall  appoint,  in  such  manner  as  the  Legislature  thereof  may  direct,  a number 
of  electors,  equal  to  ttie  whole  number  of  Senators  and  Representatives  to  which  the  State 
may  be  entitled  in  the  Congress ; but  no  Senator  or  Representative,  or  person  holding  an 
office  of  trust  or  profit  under  the  United  States,  shall  be  appointed  an  elector, 

[*The  electors  shall  meet  in  their  respective  States  and  vote  by  ballot  for  two  persons, 
of  whom  one  at  least  shall  not  be  an  inhabitant  of  the  same  State  with  themselves.  And  they 
shall  make  a list  of  all  persons  voted  for,  and  of  the  number  of  votes  for  each  ; which  list 
they  shall  sign  and  certily,  and  transmit,  sealed  to  the  seat  of  the  government  of  the  United 
States,  directed  to  the  President  of  the  Senate.  The  President  of  the  Senate  shall,  in  the 
presence  of  the  Senate  and  blouse  of  Representatives,  open  all  the  certificates,  and  the  votes 
shall  then  be  counted.  The  person  having  the  greatest  number  of  votes  shall  be  the  Presi- 
dent, if  such  number  be  a majority  of  the  whole  number  of  electors  appointed  ; and  if  there 
be  more  than  one  who  have  such  m.ajority,  and  have  an  equal  number  of  votes,  then  the 
blouse  of  Representatives  shall  immediately  choose  by  ballot  one  of  them  for  President ; and 
if  no  parson  have  a majority,  then  fr„m  the  five  highest  on  the  list  the  said  blouse  shall  in 
like  manner  choose  the  President.  But  in  choosing  the  President,  the  vote  shall  be  taken 
by  States,  the  representation  from  each  State  having  one  vote;  a quorum  for  this  purpose, 
shall  consist  of  a member  or  members  from  two-thirds  of  the  States,  and  a majority  of  all  the 
States  shall  be  necessary  to  a choice.  In  every  case,  after  the  choice  of  the  President,  the 
jierson  having  the  greatest  number  of  votes  of  the  electors  shall  be  the  Vice  President.  But 
if  there  should  remain  two  or  more  who  have  equal  votes  the  Senate  shall  choose  from  them 
by  ballot  the  Vice  President.] 

The  Congress  may  determine  the  time  of  choosing  the  electors,  and  the  day  on  which 
they  shall  give  their  votes;  which  day  shall  be  the  same  throughout  the  United  States. 

No  pesron  except  a natural  born  citizen,  or  a citizen  of  the  United  States  at  the  time  of 
the  adoption  of  this  Constitution,  shall  be  eligible  to  the  office  of  President ; neither  shall  any 
person  be  eligible  to  that  office  who  shall  not  have  attained  the  age  of  thirty-five  years,  and 
been  fourteen  years  a resident  within  the  United  States. 

In  case  of  the  removal  of  the  President  from  office,  or  of  his  death,  resignation  or  inability 
to  discharge  the  poweru  and  duties  of  the  said  office,  the  same  shall  devolve  on  the  Vice 
President,  and  the  Congress  may  by  law  provide  for  the  case  of  removal,  death,  resignation, 
o»  inability,  both  of  the  President  and  Vice  President,  declaring  what  officer  shall  then  act 
a;  President,  and  such  officer  shall  act  accordingly,  until  the  disability  be  removed,  or  a 
President  shall  be  elected. 

The  President  shall,  at  stated  times,  receive  for  his  services  a compensation  which  shall 
neither  be  increased  nor  diminished  during  the  period  for  which  he  shall  have  been  elected, 
and  he  shall  not  receive  within  that  period  any  other  e.molument  from  the  United  States,  or 
any  of  them. 

Before  he  enter  on  the  execution  of  his  office  he  shall  take  the  following  oath  or  affirma- 
tion : 

‘‘  I do  solemnly  swear  (or  affirm)  that  I will  faithfully  execute  the  office  of  President  of 
the  United  States,  and  will,  to  the  best  of  my  ability,  preserve,  protec",  and  defend  the  Con- 
stitution of  the  United  .States.” 

Section  2.  The  President  shall  be  commandcr-in-chief  of  the  army  and  navy  of  the 
United  States,  and  of  the  militia  of  the  several  States,  when  called  into  the  actual  service  of 
the  United  States;  he  may  require  the  opinion,  in  writing,  of  the  principal  officer  in  each  of 
the- Executive  departments,  upon  any  su!  ject  relating  to  the  duties  of  their  respective  offices, 
and  he  shall  have  power  to  grant  reprieves  and  pardons  for  offences  against  the  United 
States,  except  in  cases  of  impeachment. 

He  shall  have  power,  by  and  with  the  advice  and  consent  of  the  Senate,  to  make  treaties, 
provided  two-thirds  of  the  Senators  present  concur;  and  he  shall  nominate,  anti  by  and  with 
the  advice  of  the  Senate,  shall  appoint  ambassadors,  ohter  public  ministers  and  consuls, 
judges  of  the  Supreme  Court,  and  all  other  officers  of  the  United  States  whose  appoint- 
ments are  not  herein  otherwise  provided  for,  and  which  shall  be  established  by  law  ; but 
the  Congress  may  by  law  vest  the  appointment  of  such  inferior  officers  as  they  think 
jiroper  in  the  President  alone,  in  the  courts  of  law,  or  in  the  heads  of  departments. 

The  President  shall  have  power  to  fill  up  all  vacancies  that  may  happe.i  during  the  recess 
of  the  Senate,  by  granting  commissions  which  shall  expire  at  the  end  of  their  next  sessions. 

Section  3.  He  shall  from  time  to  time  give  to  the  Congress  information  of  the  state  of  the 
Union,  and  recommend  to  their  consideration  such  measures  as  he  shall  judge  necessary  and 
expedient;  he  may,  on  extraordinary  occasions,  convene  both  Houses,  or  either  of  them, 
and  in  case  of  disagreement  between  them,  with  respect  to  the  t.me  of  adjournment,  he  ni.ay 
adjourn  them  to  such  time  as  he  shall  think  proper;  he  shall  receive  ambassadors  and  other 
public  ministers;  he  shall  take  care  that  the  laws  be  faithfully  executed,  and  shall  commis- 
■sion  all  the  officers  of  the  United  States. 

Section  4.  The  President,  Vice  President  and  all  civil  officers  of  the  United  .States,  shall 
be  removed  from  office  on  impeachment  for,  and  conviction  of,  treason,  bribery,  or  other 
high  crimes  and  misdemeanors. 

ARTICLE  III. 

Section  ».  The  judicial  power  of  the  United  States  shall  be  vested  in  one  Supreme  Court 
and  in  such  inferior  courts  as  the  Congress  may  from  time  to  time  o'dain  and  establish. 
The  judges,  both  of  the  Supreme  and  inferior  courts,  shall  hold  their  offices  during  good  be- 
haviour, and  shall,  at  stated  times,  receive  for  their  services  a compensation,  which  shall  not 
be  diminished  during  their  continuance  in  office. 

Section  2.  The  judicial  power  shall  extend  to  all  cases,  in  law  and  equity,  arising 
under  this  Constitution,  the  laws  of  the  United  States,  and  treaties  made,  or  which  shall  be 
made,  under  their  authority  ; — to  all  cases  affecting  ambassadors,  other  public  ministers,  and 
consuls; — to  all  cases  of  admiralty  and  maritime  jurisdiction  ; — to  controversies  to  which 
the  United  States  shall  be  a parly  ; — to  controversies  between  two  or  more  States; — between 
a State  and  citizens  of  another  State; — between  citizens  of  different  States; — between  citi- 
zens of  the  same  State  claiming  lands  under  grants  of  different  States,  and  between  a State, 
or  the  citizens  thereof,  and  foreign  States,  citizens  or  subjects. 

In  all  cases  affecting  ambas-adors,  other  public  ministers  and  consuls,  and  those  in  which 
a State  shall  be  a party,  the  Supreme  Court  shall  have  original  jurisdiction. 

In  all  the  other  cases  before  mentioned,  the  Supreme  Court  shall  have  appellate  juris- 


ARTICLE  IV. 

.Section  i.  Full  faith  and  credit  shall  be  given  in  each  State  to  the  public  acts,  records 
and  judicial  proceedings  of  every  other  State.  And  the  Congress  may  by  general  laws  pre- 
scribe the  manner  in  which  such  acts,  lecords  and  proceedings  shall  be  proved  and  the  effect 
thereof. 

Section  2.  The  citizens  of  each  State  shall  be  entitled  to  all  privileges  and  immunities  of 
citizens  in  the  several  States. 

A persofi  charged  in  any  State  with  treason,  felony  or  other  crime,  who  shall  flee  from 
justice,  and  be  found  in  another  State,  shall  on  demand  of  the  Executive  authority  of  the 
State  from  which  he  fled,  be  delivered  up,  to  be  removed  to  the  State  haviiK^  jurisdiction  of 
the  crime.  “ ^ 

No  person  held  to  service  or  labor  in  one  State,  under  the  laws  thereof,  escapino-  into 
another,  shall,  in  consequence  of  any  law  or  regulation  therein,  be  discharged  fronTsuch 
service  or  labor,  but  shall  be  delivered  up  on  the  claim  of  the  party  to  whom  such  service  or 
labor  may  be  due. 

Section  3.  New  .States  may  be  admitted  by  the  Congress  into  this  Union  ; but  no  new 
State  shall  be  formed  or  erected  within  the  jurisdiction  of  any  other  State  : nor  any  State  be 
formed  by  the  junction  of  two  or  more  States,  or  parts  of  States,  without  the  consent  of  the 
Legislatures  of  the  States  concerned,  as  well  as  of  the  Congress. 

The  Congress  shall  have  power  to  dispose  of  and  make’all  needfnl  rules  and  regulations 
respecting  the  territory  or  other  property  belonging  to.  the  United  States;  and  nothing  in 
this  Constitution  shall  be  so  construed  as  to  prejudice  any  claims  of  the  United  States  or  of 
any  particular  State.  ’ 

Section  4.  The  United  States  shall  guarantee  to  every  State  in  this  Union  a Republican 
form  of  government,  and  shall  protect  each  of  them  against  invasion,  and  on  application  of 
the  Legislature,  or  of  the  Executive  (when  the  Legislature  cannot  be  convened)  af^ainst  do- 
mestic violence. 

ARTICLE  V. 

The  Congress,  whenever  two-thirds  of  both  Houses  shall  deem  it  necessary,  shall  propose 
amendments  to  this  Constitution,  or,  on  the  application  of  the  Legislatures  of  two-thirds  of 
the  several  States,  shall  call  a convention  for  proposing  amendments,  which,  in  either  case, 
shall  be  valid  to  all  intents  and  purposes,  as  part  of  this  Constitution,  when  ratified  by  the 
Legislatures  of  three-fourths  of  the  several  States,  or  by  conventions  in  Ihi  ec-fourlhs  thereof 
as  the  one  or  the  other  mode  of  ratification  may  be  proposed  by  the  Congress.  Provided 
that  no  amendment  which  may  be  made  prior  to  the  year  one  thousand  eight  hundred  and 
eight  shall  in  any  manner  affect  the  first  and  fourth  clauses  in  the  ninth  section  of  the  first 
article;  and  that  no  State,  without  its  consent,  shall  be  deprived  of  its  equal  suffrage  in  the 
Senate. 

ARTICLE  VI. 

All  debts  contracted  and  eng.agements  entered  imo,  before  the  adoption  of  this  Constitu- 
tion, shall  be  as  valid  against  the  United  States  under  this  Constitution  as  under  the 
Confederation.  ’ 

This  Constitution,  and  the  laws  of  the  United  St.ates  which  .shall  be  made  in  pursuance 
thereof,  and  all  treaties  made  or  which  shall  be  made,  under  the  authority  of  the  Unitcil 
States,  shall  be  the  supreme  law  of  the  land;  and  the  judges  in  every  State  shall  be  bound 
thereby,  anything  in  the  Constitution  or  Laws  of  any  State  to  the  contrarv  notwithstanding. 

The  Senators  and  Representatives  before  mentioned,  and  the  members  of  the  several 
State  Legislatures,  and  all  Executive  and  judicial  officers,  both  of  the  United  States  and  of 
the  several  States,  shall  be  bound  by  oath  or  affirmation,  to  support  this  Constitution;  but 
no  religious  test  shall  ever  be  required  as  a qualification  to  any  office  or  public  trust  under 
the  United  States. 

ARTICLE  VH. 

The  ratification  of  the  Conventions  of  nine  States  shall  be  sufficient  for  the  establishment 
of  this  Constitution  between  the  States  so  ratifying  the  same. 

Done  in  Convention  by  the  unanimous  consent  of  the  States  present,  the  seventeenth  day 
of  September,  in  the  year  of  our  Lord  one  thousand  seven  hundred  and  eighty-seven, 
and  of  the  Independence  of  the  United  States  of  America,  the  twelllh.  In  Wit.xess 
Whereof,  We  have  hereunto  subscribed  our  names. 


At’w  Hampshire. 
John  Langdon, 
Nicholas  Gilman. 

JIfassaeh  uset.'s. 
Nathaniel  Gorham, 
Rufus  King. 

Connecticut. 

Wm.  Saml.  Johnson, 
Roger  Sherm.vn. 

Phc7v  York. 

Ale.xander  Hamilton. 

N'esv  y.-rsey. 

WiL.  Livingston, 

Wm.  r.vT  person, 

David  Bkeari.y, 

JoNA.  Dayton. 


GEO.  WASHINGTON, 
President  and  Deputy  from  Virginia. 


Pennsylvania. 
B.  Franklin, 
Robt.  Morris. 
Tho.  Fitzsimons, 
James  Wilson, 
Thomas  Mifflin, 
Geo.  Clymer, 

ARED  InGERSOLL, 

Gouv.  Morris. 


Maryland. 

James  MTIenry, 

Da.nl.  Carroll, 

Dan.  of  St.  Thos.  Jenifer. 

North  Carolina. 

Wm.  Blount, 

Hu.  Williamson, 

Rich’u  Dobbs  Spaight. 


Delaware. 

Geo.  Read, 

John  Dickinson, 

Jaco.  Broom, 

Gunning  Bedford,  Jr., 
Richard  Bassett. 


South  Carolina. 

J.  Rutledge, 

Charles  Pincknea', 

Chas.  Cotesworth  Pinckney, 
Pierce  Butllr. 


Virginia. 
John  Blair, 

Ja.mes  Madison,  Jr. 


Georgia. 

I William  Few, 

I Abr.  Baldwin. 


♦This  clause  within  bra-k.ls  lias  been  superceded  and  annulled  by  tlic  12th  amendment. 


Attest : 


WILLIAM  JACKSON,  Secretary. 


AMENDMENTS  TO  THE  CONSTITUTION  OF  THE  UNITED  STATES. 


Propcscd  by  Congress,  a7id  ratified  by  the  Legislatures  of  the  several  States,  pziisuant  to  the  fifih  article  of  the  m-iginal  Constitution. 


ARTICLE  I. 

Congress  shall  make  no  law  respecting  an  establishment  of  religion,  or  prohibiting  the  free 
exercise  thereof;  or  abridging  the  freedom  of  speech,  or  of  the  press  ; or  the  right  of  the 
people  peaceably  to  assemble,  and  to  petition  the  government  for  a redress  of  grievances. 

ARTICLE  II. 

A well  regulated  militia  being  necessary  to  the  security  of  a free  State,  the  right  of  the 
people  to  keep  and  bear  arms  shall  not  be  infringed. 

ARTICLE  III. 

No  soldier  shall  in  time  of  peace  be  quartered  in  any  house  without  the  consent  of  the 
owner,  nor  in  time  of  war,  but  in  a manner  to  be  prescribed  by  law. 

ARTICLE  IV. 

The  right  of  the  people  to  be  secure  in  their  persons,  houses,  papers,  and  effects,  against 
unreasonable  searches  and  seizures,  shall  not  be  violated,  and  no  warrants  shall  issue  but 
upon  probable  cause,  supported  by  oath  or  affirmation,  and  particularly  describing  the  place 
to  be  searched,  and  the  persons  or  things  to  be  seized. 

ARTICLE  V. 

No  person  shall  be  held  to  answer  for  a capital  or  otherwise  infamous  crime,  unless  on  a 
presentment  or  indictment  by  a Grand  Jury,  except  in  cases  arising  in  the  land  or  naval  forces, 
or  in  the  militia  when  in  actual  service  in  time  of  war  or  public  danger;  nor  shall  any  per 
son  be  subject  for  the  same  offence  to  be  twice  put  in  jeopardy  of  life  or  limb;  nor  shall  be 
compelled  in  any  criminal  case  to  be  a witness  against  himself,  nor  be  deprived  of  life,  liberty, 
or  property,  without  due  process  of  law;  nor  shall  private  property  be  t.iken  for  public  use, 
without  just  compensation. 

ARTICLE  VI. 

In  all  criminal  prosecutions,  the  accused  shall  enjoy  the  right  to  a speedy  and  public  trial, 
by  an  impartial  jury  of  the  State  and  district  wherein  the  crime  shall  have  been  committed, 
which  district  shall  have  been  previously  ascertained  by  law,  and  to  be  informed  of  the 
nature  and  cause  of  the  accusation;  to  be  confronted  with  the  witnesses  against  him ; to 
have  compulsory  process  for  obtaining  witnesses  in  his  favor,  and  to  have  the  assistance  of 
counsel  for  his  defense. 

ARTICLE  VII. 

In  suits  at  common  law,  where  the  value  in  controversy  shall  exceed  twenty  dollars,  the 
right  of  trial  by  jury  shall  be  preserved,  and  no  fact  tried  by  a jury  shall  be  otherwise 
re-examined  in  any  court  of  the  United  .States,  than  according  to  the  rules  of  the  common 
law. 

ARTICLE  VIII. 

Excessive  bail  shall  not  be  required,  nor  excessive  fines  imposed,  nor  cruel  and  unusual 
punishment  inflicted. 

ARTICLE  IX. 

The  enumeration  in  the  Constitution,  of  certain  rights,  shall  not  be  construed  to  deny  or 
di.sparagc  olhcr.s  retained  by  the  jieoplc. 

ARTICLE  X. 

The  powers  not  delegated  to  the  U.iiled  States  by  the  Constitution,  nor  prohibited  by  it  to 
the  .States,  are  reserved  to  the  State-  respectively,  or  to  the  jie  jile. 

ARTICLE  XL 

The  judicial  power  of  the  United  States  shall  not  be  construed  to  extend  to  any  suit  in  law 
or  equity  i .imincnccd  or  prosecuted  .against  one  of  the  United  States  by  citizens  of  another 
Slate,  or  by  citizens  or  subjects  of  any  foreign  State. 

ARTICLE  XII. 

The  electors  shall  meet  in  their  respective  States,  and  vote  by  ballot  lor  President  and 
Vice  President,  one  of  whom  at  least  shall  not  be  an  inhabitant  of  the  same  State  with  them- 
selves; they  shall  name  la  their  ballots  the  person  to  be  voted  for  as  Piesidcnt,  and  in 


distinct  ballots  the  persons  voted  for  as  Vice  President,  and  they  shall  make  distinct  lists 
of  all  persons  voted  for  as  President,  and  of  all  persons  voted  for  as  Vice  President,  and  of 
the  number  of  votes  for  each,  which  Jist  they  shall  sign  and  certify,  and  transmit  sealed  to 
the  seat  of  government  of  the  United  States,  directed  to  the  President  of  the  Senate.  The 
President  of  the  Senate  shall,  in  presence  of  the  Senate  and  House  of  Representatives,  open 
all  the  certificates,  and  the  votes  .shall  then  be  counted.  The  person  having  the  greatest 
number  of  votes  for  President,  shall  be  the  President,  if  such  number  be  a majority  of  the 
whole  numlier  of  electors  appointed ; and  if  no  person  have  such  majority,  then  from  the 
persons  having  the  highest  number  not  exceeding  three  on  the  list  of  those  voted  for  as 
President,  the  House  of  Repiesentatives  shall  choose  immediately,  by  ballot,  the  President. 
But  in  choosing  the  President,  the  votes  shall  be  taken  by  States,  the  representation  from 
each  State  having  one  vote ; a quorum  for  this  purpose  shall  consist  of  a member  or  memberi 
from  two-th;rds  of  the  States,  and  a majority  of  all  the  States  shall  be  necessary  to  a choice. 
And  if  the  House  of  Representatives  shall  not  choose  a President  whenever  the  right  of  choice 
shall  devolve  upon  them,  before  the  fourth  day  of  March  next  following,  then  the  Vice 
President  shall  act  as  President,  as  in  the  case  of  the  death  or  other  Consti.utional  disability 
of  the  President.  The  person  having  the  greatest  number  of  votes  as  Vice  President,  shall 
be  the  Vice  President,  if  such  number  be  a majority  of  the  whole  number  of  electors  appointe  d, 
and  if  no  person  have  a ma'ority,  then  from  the  two  highest  numbers  on  the  list,  the  Senate 
shall  choose  the' Vice  President;  a quorum  for  the  purpose  shall  consist  of  two-thirds  of  the 
whole  number  of  Senators,  and  a majority  of  the  whole  number  shall  be  necessary  to  a 
choice.  But  no  person  Constitutionally  ineligible  to  the  office  of  President  shall  be  eligible 
to  that  of  Vice  President  of  the  United  States. 

ARTICLE  XIH. 

Section  i.  Neither  slavery  nor  involuntary  servitude,  except  as  a puui.shmcnt  for  crime, 
whereof  the  party  shall  have  been  duly  convicted,  shall  exist  within  the  United  States,  or 
any  place  subject  to  their  jurisdiction. 

Section  2.  Congress  shall  have  power  to  enforce  this  article  by  appropriate  legislation. 

ARTICLE  XIV. 

Section  i.  All  persons  born  or  naturalized  in  the  United  Stales  and  subject  to  the  ju- 
risdiction thereof,  are  citizens  of  the  United  States,  and  of  the  State  w herein  they  reside. 
No  State  shall  make  or  enforce  any  law  which  shall  abridge  the  privil.gcs  or  immunities  of 
citizens  of  the  United  .States;  nor  shall  any  State  deprive  any  person  of  life,  liberty  or 
property  without  due  process  of  law,  nor  deny  to  any  person  within  its  jurisdiction  the  equal 
protection  of  the  laws. 

Section  2.  Representatives  shall  be  appointed  among  the  several  States  according  to 
their  respective  numbci's,  counting  the  whole  numirer  of  persons  in  each  State,  excluding 
Indians  not  taxed  ; but  when  the  right  to  vote  at  any  election  for  the  choice  of  electors  for 
President  and  Vice  President  of  the  United  States,  Representatives  in  Congress,  the  executive 
and  judicial  officers  of  a .State  or  the  members  of  the  Legislature  thereof,  is  denied  to  any  of 
the  male  inhabitants  of  such  State,  being  twenty-one  years  of  age  and  citizens  of  the  United 
States,  or  in  any  way  abridged  except  for  participation  in  rebelli  m or  other  crimes,  the  basis 
of  rcpresent.ation  therein  shall  be  reduced  in  the  proportion  which  the  number  of  such  male 
citizens  shall  boar  to  the  whole  number  of  male  citizens  twenty-one  years  of  age  in  such 
State. 

Section  3.  No  person  shall  be  a Senator  or  Representative  in  Congress  or  elector  of 
President  and  Vice  President,  or  hold  any  office  civil  or  military,  under  the  United  Stales  or 
under  any  State  who,  having  previously  taken  an  oath  as  a Member  of  Congress,  or  as  an 
officer  of  the  United  States,  or  as  a member  of  any  .State  LegisLture,  or  as  an  executive  or 
judicial  officer  of  any  .State,  to  support  the  Con^titulion  of  the  United  St.ates,  shall  have 
engaged  in  insurrection  or  rebellion  .against  the  same,  or  given  aid  or  comfort  to  the  enemies 
thereof.  But  Congress  may,  by  a vote  of  two-thirds  of  each  house,  remove  such  disability. 

Section  4.  The  validity  of  the  public  debt  of  the  United  .States  authorized  by  law, 
including  debts  incurred  for  p.ayment  of  pensions  .'■.ml  bounties  for  scrvi'ces  in  suppressing 
insurrection  or  rebellion,  shall  not  be  (jiiestioncd.  But  neither  the  United  States  nor  any 
State  shall  assume  or  pay  any  debt  or  obligation  ineurred  in  the  aid  of  insurrection  or  rebel- 
lion .against  the  United  .Slates,  or  any  loss  or  emancipation  of  any  slave,  but  such  debts, 
obligations  and  claims  shall  be  held  illegal  and  void. 

.Section  5.  The  Congress  shall  have  the  power  to  enforce,  by  appropriate  legislation,  the 
provisions  ol  this  article.  ‘ 

ARTICLE  XV. 

Section  i.  The  rights  of  citizens  of  the  United  States  to  vote  .sh.all  not  be  denied  or 
abridged  by  the  Uniteil  States  on  account  of  race,  color,  or  previous  condition  of  servitude. 

Section  2.  Congress  shall  have  power  t-j  enforce  this  article  by  appropriate  legislation. 


